If we remind you of a broken record when it comes to a performance variant of the Chevy Cruze, it’s because the car is simply too good to waste by not offering more power to those who want it. Meanwhile, Australian aftermaket tuning company Walkinshaw Performance just released details about its own hotted-up version of the Holden Cruze.
The WP Cruze uses the Holden Cruze SRi-V hatch, which is equipped with the familiar 1.4 liter turbo engine and retails for a A$29,490 ($31,248 USD), as a starting point. It then adds A$19,995 ($21,187 USD) worth of cosmetic and performance upgrades that brings the total up to A$49,485 ($52,436 USD).
More than anything, the package offers a 75 percent boost in power, boosting the 1.4T’s 138 hp (103kW) up to a respectable 241 (180kW), while improving torque by 55 percent, from 147 lb.-ft. (200Nm) to 228 (310Nm). The power upgrade alone enables the hotted-up Cruze to go from 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) in 6.6 seconds, roughly a three-second improvement over the standard Cruze SRi-V (or, as it’s known in America, the Cruze LT or LTZ). The time statistics are estimates, by the way, as Walkinsaw hasn’t conducted tests yet, but the company’s general manager Tony Harris believes the tuned Cruze will become the first one in the world to run the quarter-mile in under 15 seconds. Tests are set to take place later this month.
Spec-by-spec, the package offers an upgraded turbocharger and exhaust manifold, a dual-outlet stainless steel exhaust system, a new front brake package with four-piston 343mm rotors, and an upgraded and tuned suspensions package co-developed with Bilstein and Irmscher. A set of white 18-inch Irmscher alloy wheels and a matte white exterior wrap by Exotic Graphics round out the exterior enhancements. On the inside, Walkinshaw adds branded sill plates and a modified shifter.
Don’t want to go all out on the upgrade? You don’t have to, as Walkisnhaw Performance also offers lesser packages starting at A$1,195 ($1,266 USD) for a good-ol’ ECU tune.
The GM Authority Take
This is a great effort by Walkinshaw — and the power numbers seem to hit the sweetspot.
Now, can someone remind us the reason that GM doesn’t build a factory-tuned Cruze? Because The General’s 2.0-liter turbo, with its 220-250 horses, seems like a great option for this already-excellent compact. And the fact that we can’t buy it directly from Chevy and/or Holden makes us grit our teeth in disappointment… as Cruze sales undergo a double-digit slide.
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Comments
All of this looks great. Until you mention the price. I’ll have to look for something less expensive like a Corvette.
Or get SLP to involve
It’s cool, it’s white, it’s over priced. How about a 202hp 2.5L … Not a high perforamce CRUZE, just a decently powered daily driver.
It is pretty expensive, however it is possible to get this package cheaper simply by purchasing the cheaper CD Cruze hatch with the 1.4 turbo, it retails for a little over $20k, so it’s possible to come up with a low $40k hot hatch, which puts this aftermarket Cruze in Golf GTI company. As an aside Walkinshaw Performance runs the factory Holden Racing Team in the V8 Supercar Championship, the most succesful team in Australian Touring Cars / V8 Supercars, and owns Holden Special Vehicles. HSV is a joint venture between GM Holden and Walkinshaw producing performance Commodores, much like AMG is to Mercedes and M is to BMW. HSV have been producing performance Holdens for 25 years. In a roundabout way this car has ties to Holden, so watch this space, as it may be a ‘toe-dipping’ exercise to see if an SS Cruze or a HSV version is viable. Check out HSV’s website at hsv.com.au
The U S will never see it, anyway. We don’t get the hatch so don’t worry about this car coming here!
BTW cars in Australia are way more expensive than in the States. An SS Commodore here sells for $48,000, where as an equivalent G8 was in the mid to high 30s. We seriously get ripped off here…
@zero five Thats good insight! But I was under the impression that AMG and M are now entirely in-house efforts.
@required name: it’s not here *yet*. Never say never.
Old mate without a name, the sedan has the same powertrain as the hatch. Whats to stop you guys purchasing the bolt on performance bits, importing them to the states and fitting them to your 1.4 turbo sedan? It’s still aftermarket at the end of the day, but if you want a hotted-up Cruze, it’s what you have to do until GM grow the balls to do it. It’s no different to us importing 350 Chev V8s or LSXs from America and repowering our old Holdens really… I think this kit will make for the perfect sleeper Cruze in all honesty.
@silent electrician. You are quite right as HSV is not completely in house like AMG or M. Joint ownership has given HSV access to a plethora of GM Powertrain arsenal and as such had LS2 and LS3 not long after Corvette. HSV even produced a Commodore based car with the LS7 (called W427) which was a limited edition to celebrate 20 years of HSV. We are lucky to have HSV, their cars are half the price of the Europeans and give trenendous bang for their buck.
It’s still over priced and I could do with all the bits of bling. I sure don’t want those ghayarse white wheels.
you need to look at the cost of living and income level to understand the price difference, it’s not hard to take home 900/1000 per week after tax in aus, on my salary as a bread truck driver i can pay cash for the above ss commodore in 49 weeks if i have no other expences, a normal salary in the us much lower same as their prices.
question for a us worker, how many weeks pay after tax is needed to buy a camaro with an average salary.
gmauthority.com is genius, i love it
hot bimbos
@Jason T, lets assume that the average wage is $9/hr at 40 hrs/week that would take the average American around 85 weeks to save up for the base line Camaro, and that’s with no other expenses.