Last week, General Motors officially revealed the new 2022 Chevy Cruze lineup in South America, highlighted by the brand’s new design-focused RS and Midnight trims. After reporting the debut of both versions, we now have more specific information on the new 2022 Chevy Cruze RS that has just gone on sale in Brazil and Argentina.
The new 2022 Chevy Cruze RS introduces Chevrolet’s popular sporty trim for the first time as a standalone trim level on the compact vehicle, which is currently built and marketed exclusively in South America. The RS variant, offered only on the hatchback body style also known in Brazil as the Cruze Sport6, accentuates the sporty character of the model with a more daring design and a powertrain calibration that improves performance.
“The current generation of the Cruze Sport6 was already born in Brazil with elements of the North American RS configuration, such as the sport bumpers, the horizontal auxiliary lights and the race-car inspired exhaust outlet,” said Design Manager of GM South America, Alexandre Ameri, in a statement. “Now, these extra finishing details definitely entitle the vehicle to receive the RS badge,” he added.
Aesthetically, the new 2022 Chevy Cruze RS for the South American market stands out for introducing a two-tone appearance on the model, which includes the roof and mirrors in contrasting metallic black. In addition, it boasts a more imposing grille with darkened chrome accenting, as well as more aerodynamic bumpers and moldings than convey a stronger personality to the hatchback variant’s design.
For its part, the 2022 Chevy Cruze RS’ powertrain includes the familiar turbocharged 1.4L LE2 I-4 engine with 153 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine has a new specific calibration for the RS version that improves throttle responsiveness, which enhances its dynamic performance in conjunction with the hatchback’s improved suspension and steering tuning.
The 2022 Chevy Cruze RS is now available for sale in Brazil and Argentina, the model’s two largest markets today. The sporty variant seeks to boost the second-generation Cruze’s competitiveness and make it more appealing in the final part of its production cycle, following the design-focused formula that Chevrolet established with the RS version globally. The Cruze RS is positioned between the LTZ and Premier trim levels.
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Comments
Had they kept this car in the US, it would’ve been my next ride. Disappointed.
America loves SUV’s. People get over it. You’re stuck in the past.
That’s funny because I still see a lot of sedans on the road. American brands are only making SUV’s only because of bottom line (save for Cadillac and dodge only) and if you want a sedan you then have to go to an Asian or German brand which still sell in high numbers (Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, VW) therefore nobody is living in the past when what they want is still present.
The sedan is in decline in all brands. Just the imports sell in many other countries so they can sell less here and still make money.
C8.R just take a look at the numbers of unit sold by Toyota, the Camry. According with carnivores.com in 2020 294,348 units, 2021 Toyota sold 313,795 because American brands are so afraid to make good sedans.
Definitely there’s is a market for sedans.
Now tell us how many Camrys they sold in 2018 and 2019.
Year
Q1
Q2
Q3
Q4
2005 98,504 118,103 119,742 95,354
2006 93,775 124,742 122,208 107,720
2007 105,863 134,667 124,610 107,668
2008 107,002 132,879 115,681 81,055
2009 67,199 83,043 114,115 92,467
2010 68,595 85,644 96,591 76,974
2011 76,821 70,648 82,031 78,989
2012 105,405 108,498 100,885 90,098
2013 100,830 106,796 111,364 89,494
2014 94,283 128,257 112,438 93,628
2015 100,505 115,311 110,514 103,025
2016 96,244 103,516 97,693 91,163
2017 83,459 93,438 105,610 104,574
2018 90,767 88,028 84,092 80,552
2019 81,684 94,324 82,448 78,522
2020 77,188 48,711 79,046 89,403
2021 78,151 99,520 79,098 57,026
Total 1,526,275 1,736,125 1,738,166 1,517,712
So, Toyota dropped the Avalon in 2020. No Fusion, or Chrysler 200 in 2021. The Malibu wasn’t produced for a big chunk of 2021 due to microchips shortage. Toyota had no microchip issue.
Considering these points, their sales should have skyrocketed in 2021 if sedans are so popular. But no, an extra 20k units over 2020. Reality is, the Camry will continue to see sales dropping and Toyota will drop the gas version by the end of the decade.
I have a 2016 Chevy Cruze RS & love it. Was disappointed when they stopped making the Cruze in NA. Would definitely like to have another one. It’s been a great car
GM screwed up royally when they killed this car off in NA. With Ford and Chrysler out of the game there are so many folks out there that just want a lower priced smaller sized car like this. Judging by how many late model Corolla’s, Mirages, Elantras and Jetta’s I’m seeing all over the place there is obviously still a big market for these types of cars. Many just can’t afford or don’t want to spend 30-40K on a small crossover. We have also seen a big shift in buying preference at my friend’s used dealership looking for lower priced smaller vehicles that are better on gas since fuel prices are soaring right up to 4 bucks per gallon in spots and is threatening to go up even more during the Summer
This is exactly my case. Needed a new set of wheels. I don’t buy used, and only buy new. Cannot afford or need a crossover. Wanted a compact that was reasonably priced with a good amount of features, good passenger volume, a decent sized trunk, good performance and fuel economy. Chevy killed the Cruze so I narrowed it down to choice 1 VW Jetta and choice 2 Honda Civic. Both matched what my Chevy Cruze did in all around practicality. Ended up buying my second choice because the VW dealership was trash, though the Honda dealership I went to was no better in the end.
GM has a lack of designing vehicles, no imagination, no innovation, only thinking in how to invest less an less. No wonder Ford is ahead in that department.