First pics: New Chevrolet Cruze test

Chevrolet’s new FIA World Touring Car Championship-challenger, the Cruze, completed its first public test at the Portuguese track Estoril earlier this week. Robert Huff and Alain Menu were behind the wheel of the car.
“The Cruze is a great car and feels fast straight out of the box. We obviously still are at the very early stages of development but already now you can feel how much better it handles and what an advantage the wider track will be in the races,” said Huff.

The new and bigger Cruze-model will replace the current Lacetti-model that has been with Chevrolet since they first entered the championship in 2005. The Swizz Menu has also been with Chevrolet since 2005, but will not be replaced for 2009.

“It was the first time I drove the Cruze and I can already tell the car feels good. The wider track makes it easier to drive in certain portions of the circuit, while lap times show promise but also indicate the amount of work still needed. The car responds well to all set-up changes which should make it easier for us to make progress throughout the winter months,” said Menu.

Chevrolet Motorsport-boss Eric Néve was present during the test and was more than pleased with the new WTCC-racers’ first outing.

“It is always a special moment to see a new race car out on a real race track for the first time. The Cruze is Chevrolet Europe’s new core model and the launch of the new road car in the showrooms blends in perfectly with the start of the 2009 season, so the WTCC car will once again have an important role to play for the market place. With the success and experience we have gained in the past four seasons incorporated in this new race car, I am convinced that the Cruze can achieve new ambitions for Chevrolet in the WTCC,” said Néve.