[vivriti]

Originally Posted by harinathpv

Why should you pick an AT?

Let me explain the analogy about the AT. In the AT, the engine takes care of providing the appropriate power to the vehicle at the appropriate time and in a stick shift, we tend to think that we providing the appropriate power, but we do not (at least quite a few times). Why do luxury cars come with only AT transmission? Because, to enjoy the pleasure of driving, you should leave the optimization to the vehicle. Most of the cars which cost over Rs.20,00,000 (~$,44,000) come only in a AT version (there are exceptions though).

Stick shifts are important when you are driving in hills and deserts. This is because, you, the driver would feel confident when the control is in your hand. The AT Transmission vehicles also come with gears, and Cruze also offers that. If you need power or more control in slippery or steep roads, move to the gear (Cruze offers 4 gears in the AT version) and drive. This is not required all the time, just use it when you feel that you need the control.

Wish to clarify/elaborate a couple points.

a) I agree that luxury vehicles come with AT by default. The primary reason is that these tend to be having powerful engines and a manual transmission can mean extra effort to ensure a smooth jerk free drive. Also the person driving these may not be able to handle the extra power safely.

b) In hilly road conditions or situations where we have snowy, muddy, sandy roads, a manual transmission means extra effort and there is the risk of wheel spinning and losing grip. try to pause on a stop light on a hilly road. You will have to carefully slip the clutch and try to avoid hitting the other vehicles.

Based on my personal experience with above mentioned road conditions, I would recommend an automatic.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by vivriti

Wish to clarify/elaborate a couple points.

a) I agree that luxury vehicles come with AT by default. The primary reason is that these tend to be having powerful engines and a manual transmission can mean extra effort to ensure a smooth jerk free drive. Also the person driving these may not be able to handle the extra power safely.

b) In hilly road conditions or situations where we have snowy, muddy, sandy roads, a manual transmission means extra effort and there is the risk of wheel spinning and losing grip. try to pause on a stop light on a hilly road. You will have to carefully slip the clutch and try to avoid hitting the other vehicles.

Based on my personal experience with above mentioned road conditions, I would recommend an automatic.

The primary purpose of Automatic Transmission is to make driving convenient, with lesser driver involvement. I seriously do not think handling power in car with power to weight ratios less than 100bhp/tonne would be a problem at all.

The Automatic Transmissions cannot take care of wheelspin at all, in fact MT can be more controllable in such situations. You know the reason why the AT in Scorpio comes with Summer/Winter button? It helps reduce torque supplied to wheels to prevent wheelspin in slippery conditions.

Traction Control system is enough to take car of excessive wheelspin, be it MT or AT.

[vivriti]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

The primary purpose of Automatic Transmission is to make driving convenient, with lesser driver involvement. I seriously do not think handling power in car with power to weight ratios less than 100bhp/tonne would be a problem at all.

The Automatic Transmissions cannot take care of wheelspin at all, in fact MT can be more controllable in such situations. You know the reason why the AT in Scorpio comes with Summer/Winter button? It helps reduce torque supplied to wheels to prevent wheelspin in slippery conditions.

Traction Control system is enough to take car of excessive wheelspin, be it MT or AT.

I agree that AT makes it convenient with lesser driver involvement.

As mentioned, my personal experience and those of people around me influenced my opinion. FYI, most of my driving has been in the US and I found it more convenient to use an AT in snowed out conditions, hilly city roads like in San Francisco etc. I would say my viewpoint is more like that of the average commuter Joe.

As mentioned, having done 99% of my driving in the US, I tend to think of a big powerful car as those like an S Class and not a Cruze.

[charthom]

@harinathpv,

Nice to note that you have thoroughly revamped your post with more details and snaps.

I would have liked more pictures of the interior especially the rear seats.

Do you feel that the Cruze should come with an all beige edition?how do you find the black interiors?

Congrats again harinathpv,on your rocket. Please supply enough fuel on your post and keep it burning with updates and pictures.

Best rgds,charthom.

[bluevolt]

Hi Harinath,

Those are just too awesome snaps of your rocket, absolutely treat to watch (BTW which camera?).

You got the best C+ segment diesel car, got killer looks and a nice diesel motor. Keep the thread updated with even more good snaps. Congratulations and drive safe.

PS - Please limit the smiley use to 2 smileys per post. (Please go through team-bhp rules).

[harinathpv]

@charthom Thank you. I will get you more pictures of the interiors during the weekend.

Coming to the Black Seat's, they are very elegant. I would not have enjoyed the Beige interios. The major problem is that they get dirty pretty soon. My (ex) Scorpio had beige interiors and it was getting tough for me to maintain and hence got Black seat covers with a beige middle lining. (Don't know how appropriate, but am enclosing two pictures of my old car for you to see the seat covers and also the beast)

@bluevolt Thank you. I use Canon Rebex XT and the pictures of the speedometer readings are from my BlackBerry Curve.

PS - I can definitely adhere to the two smileys, but isn't life complete with more smiles a day?

[mobike008]

Congrats Harinath. That's a wonderful review of your car and some nice pictures to boot as well.

That color seems to be a new one. It looks like a light grey shade. What's it called?

I concur on all your points except for headlight not being too powerful. Personally, I felt Cruze stock lamps are one of the best and its throw and spread is simply superb.

Not sure if you have used slider option next to steering wheel where you can slide from 0-3. With 0 being the farthest the light is thrown and there is a significant difference between 0 and 3

I use 0 for highways and 2 or 3 for city. Works like a charm. I am personally not going to change my stock headlamps as they are quite adequate.

And, Yeah, Welcome to the Rocket Club !!!

[harinathpv]

@mobike008 Thank you. It is called Switch Blade Silver and Yes, it is new.

I did notice the slider option, but felt they could be a little more powerful

[moose56]

Originally Posted by harinathpv

@.ansuham Thank's for moving the thread...

@akshay1234 Thanks. I am referring to the manual gear **** and not the AT part. AT is 6 gears. Move the Gear knob to the left and you have option to change 4 gears

Congrats harinathpv!!

I am a bit confused here, only 4gears can be used in the tiptronic mode?

[harinathpv]

Thank you @moose56. Yes, only 4.

[princemanatt]

Congrats Hari on your wonderful machine. And thank you for the great review.

By the way, your scorpio rocks. I can imagine the rather cold feeling one gets on seeing that (the 2nd pic of scorpio )in the rear view mirror!

[harinathpv]

@princemanatt Thank you Sir.. Yup, I miss my scorpio.. Wish I had enough money to pay for the down payment of Cruze, i would have kept it.

@charthom Sorry, it has been cloudy all day and hence could not get good pics. Will do as soon as I can.

[charthom]

Originally Posted by harinathpv

@charthom Sorry, it has been cloudy all day and hence could not get good pics. Will do as soon as I can.

Thanks for remembering mate!! Take your sweet time.It is pouring down heavily here in Kerala,have not stepped out of house today

[harinathpv]

@charthom Really very sorry, could not get the pics yet, but that is on my list of to-do's


Now, coming to the main point of the post, wanted to share my awesome moments with the car over the last weekend when I drove down to Tirupati along with my parents.

To begin with, Bangalore (From KR Puram) - Kolar is now a 4 Lane Highway. The new road lasts for 95 KM, but after that the road is the good old two lane. However, I drive 150 KM in 2 Hours flat. This is the first awesome moment. We left home at 6 45 AM on Saturday and reached Chittore by 8 45 AM. I never achieved this earlier, and this is my first time. My average time used to be 3 Hours (where there was no 4 lane highway).

The AT handled the Tirumala Hill drive pretty well. Initially I was thinking that I would need power at least at few hair-pin bends, but I never used the gear.

I used the Cruze control quite a bit this time. I learned the tactic of handling it (Increasing and reducing the speed with the control) and it was really neat. The second awesome experience is when using cruse control and if the car needs to get onto a fly over.. It just picks up to keep up with the seep and one should experience it than me explaining

Did anyone fill in Nitrogen Gas for the Tyre's? I did. I have not seen any difference though, but let me wait and see how it performs.

[harinathpv]

The Upgraded Cruze is coming this year end - Upgraded Chevrolet Cruze, face-lifted Chevrolet Cruze details | DWS Auto India

No regrets though. I love this Cruze for what it delivers.