Holden Cruze turned into 180kW Walkinshaw Performance hot-hatch

By Tim Beissmann
August 08th, 2012

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The first true Holden Cruze hot-hatch has been unleashed in Australia, with homegrown tuning company Walkinshaw Performance unveiling a high-performance version of the locally made small car with a price tag just below $50,000.

Based on the $29,490 Holden Cruze SRi-V 1.4 iTi hatch, the $19,995 WP Cruze Hot Hatch package introduces a number of visual and performance upgrades for a total cost of $49,485 before on-road costs.

Power from the Cruze’s turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine has been boosted 75 per cent (up from 103kW to 180kW), while torque has also climbed 55 per cent (from 200Nm to 310Nm).

Walkinshaw Performance estimates the WP Cruze will launch from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds, making it roughly three seconds quicker than the standard Cruze SRi-V. Official speed tests are yet to be completed, but the company’s general manager, Tony Harris, told CarAdvice he believes it will become the first Cruze in the world to run the quarter-mile in under 15 seconds when it’s put through its paces later this month.

Walkinshaw Performance says the Australian-engineered performance upgrades are the result of hundreds of hours of testing, refinement and collaboration and have been delivered “without compromising the driveability of the vehicle”.

Included in the package is an upgraded turbocharger and exhaust manifold, a dual-outlet stainless steel exhaust system, an all-new front brake package with four-piston 343mm rotors, and an upgraded and recalibrated suspension package developed with Bilstein and Irmscher.

The WP Cruze Hot Hatch also scores 18-inch white Irmscher alloy wheels, a WP-branded interior by Blackmans, WP sill plates, a modified gearstick and a matt white exterior wrap by Exotic Graphics.

HPF owner Rob Vickery said the secret of the WP Cruze Hot Hatch’s performance was its linear power curve.

“Upgrading to a bigger turbo sounds like a simple way to get big horsepower. But in a front wheel drive, without the right engineering behind it, you could easily make it unmanageable and unfriendly,” Vickery said.

“We’re really proud of the end product and we know it is going to be popular with customers looking at something extra for their Holden Cruze that doesn’t compromise on driveability.”

Walkinshaw Performance is also offering less extreme upgrades for the Cruze hatch, starting at $1195 for an ECU recalibration.

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Kampfer

No under the bonnet shots?
- Steve2012
  
  Epic Fail! An Astra SV1800 for the next generation….
Captain Nemo®™

Should have black instead of white wheels. Black wheels on white cars look awesome.
- Patrick
  
  That’s easily fixed….
- nickdl
  
  Spray can and a stencil that’s all you need.
- TomW
  
  Yeah, I’m wondering how long it will take brake dust to coat the front wheels…
- crouchy35
  
  I dont disagree that black wheels look great on white cars but thats what everyone is doing.
  
  Props to Walkinshaw for at least going with something different.
Guest

Wow and I thought the Fiat 1.4s were strong, being able to reliably handle 150kw, but the GM 1.4 taking 180kw? If this proves to be reliable – wow!
- Schah7
  
  WHO says & HOW do you know its going to be reliable.?
  Your name sounds more like a uneducated “GUESS” . lol.!
  - DZ
    
    Did you read what he said? He said “if”, a question, not a statement of fact. So WHO & HOW remain moot questions.
  - Gwmcnichol
    
    No doubt they are such a big company didn’t do any reliability studies…
  - Guest
    
    Theres plenty of info on various forums stating that Fiat/Alfa 1.4s will reliably handle 150kw plus (although the gearboxes on some models don’t particularly like it). As for the GM 1.4 i said IF it proves reliable. Although i’d say Walkinshaw wouldnt release something like this if they werent confident in it…
    - Schah7
      
      Sorry Guest missed THAT “if” word. Just get sick of so many wank-on GM performance cars but reading most comments, they all appear to be negative. Which is all good.
  - Paul
    
    With this car you will be “walking for sure”.
- fredly
  
  No problems.
  
  Whether the chassis and suspension can handle it though…
  
  With FWD it’d either have to have rock hard suspension or understeer like a pig…
  - SVSteve
    
    I think you need to check the racing record of the Cruze on the World Touring Car Championship circuit. Drivers and constructor champion 2010 and 2011. Spectacular result for a front wheel drive. Gives you an idea of how good the chassis is. Spectacularly poor marketing that GM failed to produce a hot version to leverage off the racing success.
  - SVSteve
    
    I think you need to check the racing record of the Cruze on the World Touring Car Championship circuit. Drivers and constructor champion 2010 and 2011. Spectacular result for a front wheel drive. Gives you an idea of how good the chassis is. Spectacularly poor marketing that GM failed to produce a hot version to leverage off the racing success.
Bass

Imagine this boosted 1.4 turbo replacing the 3.0 SIDI in a commodore – hahha
Priceless

50k for a cruze hmmm i don’t know…I’d get the Megane RS Cup for that money =p
- Jober As A Sudge
  
  $50k is steep and i’m no fan of the Cruze but still keen to see how it performs. As they say …don’t knock it till you try it!
  - Priceless
    
    I agree would like to see how it handles as well and it’s also a 1.4L turbo making 180kW which is impressive.
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_YQLKLFNYP3UFBFAGOV2LNDSREA Robert Ryan
  
  Renault reliability? I think eventually you will be paying a lot more.
Force-15

The power and suspension upgrades are commendable, but good heavens the visual upgrades are tacky to say the least. Especially the vinyl wrap over the windscreen and tail-lights. CarAdvice’s resident trolls are going to have a field day once they jump onto this comment thread…
- Legnab
  
  Tacky is the word , $50k for those looks , fail .
  - Guest
    
    I’m hearing you almost looks as bad as those tacky VWs
  - Dudeface
    
    Can’t really blame Walkinshaw – they know their target market! Tacky sells… apparently…
    
    As for value, jeeze, all I can think about is that 50K will buy you a brand new BMW M3 in the states.. that thing about isn’t even fit the eat the M3′s dust…
    - Nikko
      
      An M3 will set you back 170K in Aus.
- Joffa 65
  
  Clearly it’s a show car they’ve thrown the parts bin at. I think the average punter can turn the volume down on any option they like. Great project; highly commendable.
- Robin_Graves
  
  I always said Daewoo Special Vehicles (DSV) would come, and here it is.
Asif Choudhury

Go Aussie tuners! I love it and want more!
- Emelia
  
  Why? Talk about trying to polish a turd.
twincharger

Great to see Walkinshaw Performance do something with the Cruze.Would also like to see a set of black rims.Quick,well priced with huge increase in torque.
- Legnab
  
  Nice Crude for stupid junior bogans who want to waste $50K on a mummy’s runabout , camira reborn .
  - twincharger
    
    Be fair Legnad,Walkinshaw have turned mummys runabout in to a great alternative to other hot hatches around the place..
    - Sumpguard
      
      Legnab be fair? Reasoning requires an IQ! If he can’t separate this from Camira he has an impairment.
- Lindsay
  
  Well priced, are you mad?
whattthe….

Will rattle itself to pieces even faster than the normal Cruise.
- won’t be buying
  
  You beat me to it. I was wondering how long it would take 180kw to shake that cheap plastic interior loose.
  - Igomi Watabi
    
    Read the long-term test in Wheels magazine? Impressed with the tightness of everything they are.
    - SVSteve
      
      My Aussi built 6 speed manual diesel Cruze is 14 Months old and has 26,000km on the clock. No squeaks rattles or noises. Nothing fallen off or come loose. No breakdowns or problems. 6L/100km (47mpg) running from Perths Eastern suburbs to Kewdale (70km round trip) 5 days a week. Still feels like a new car except the fuel economy has improved a fair bit.
Vti07

The AH Astra coupe looks so much better than this.
http://profile.yahoo.com/FFLU42DZJ4E23NZKHN3UXJU44Q Aazz

Still dog ugly.
Hamedsssifi@gmail.com

This reminds me of those done-up Gemini’s. A cheap car that was never designed to go so fast. I will take a GTI or 86 over this without a blink.
Hugh Jorgan

So many other small sports cars I’d rather have for <$50k
PoisonEagle

Very interesting, if not very good value. 180kw is impressive from a 1.4, but that is ALOT of pressure. I’d like to know how much boost its running. Maybe this is a litmus test for HSV, who should bring out a Cruze with A9X flares and a GEN IV
- Robin_Graves
  
  That much BMEP with what is essentially a revamped Camira engine (Family II) in a Daewoo body, can only end in tears.
  - Igomi Watabi
    
    Not even remotely related to the Family II engine.
  - Bob222
    
    Umm. Robin. Its the same engine that you will find in the current Opel Astra. Which is NOT the Family II engine from the 90s Opel Barina/Astra/Daewoo. Not even close.
    - Bob222
      
      p.s. please don’t confuse that this me thinking such an ugly, over-priced incarnation of a very average bogan-mobile was ever a good idea.
    - Robin_Graves
      
      Might want to do some homework Bob222 / Ignomi Watabi. The Family II morphed into the ecotec range which also consists of Family 0 (the 1.4t Cruze is Family 0) Family 1 and Family II. They are all close siblings. The Family II is still in use today (as is the other inbred siblings)
Basil Exposition

Wow, the 80s are back… Does it come with leg warmers?
Garrywhopper

That’s terrible, why not take it to Habibs workshop for a tune mate, same result
Jace 88

But… why? At $50k there’s a lot of other things which offer similar thrills, similar bills but better warranty, a non-Korean-sourced car, etc.
- Dave S
  
  First Australian made hot hatch in a very long time. This is a great sign. Good work Holden and Walkinshaw. Looks very good, love the size of those brakes too!
  - Jace 88
    
    But it’s not a real Aussie made car- it’s no different to any other tuning house replacing parts on a car. I’m not saying it’s definitely rubbish or anything, but given the only brand with any credibility here is the tuner, you’d think they would apply it to a car with more potential? Shrugs, to each their own. In 50 years time maybe kids will have this car on their bedroom wall posters :S
    - Jace 88
      
      Just wanted to add that tuning houses/aftermarket shouldn’t be compared directly to stock factory vehicles which offer warranty, service, reliability, etc. After my experiences with modifying my past two cars, I’m loving having a stocker again.
- Nikko
  
  Doesn’t have to cost 50K. If all you want is the power, that’s only 6 grand extra.
Dion

LOL. Is this a joke? Fail. Looks cheap and nasty like the car it is based on. Looks like a dealer ‘special’. Um what other options are there for 50k? There are so many cars around with less power that would hang this monstrosity out to dry and I’m not referring to straight line speed. Will the hairdressers upgrade from their Swifts at this price? I reckon not.
Bensher

I’ve driven the cruze 1.4iTi and it is a gutless unit.. Doesn’t feel anywhere near 200Nm

With these types of cars they usually advertise 200Nm from 1400-4600rpm

But I seriously don’t know how they obtain that data, as you have the thrash these things to get them moving, the sound of the 1.4L struggling also doesn’t help either
- Amlohac
  
  Doesnt feel like it as its quite a heavy car.
  - SVSteve
    
    The Cruze weighs about the same as the HQ Holden. The Diesel has about the same power with a bit less torque than the 253 in an HZ. Would you have considered an HQ with a 1.8L 4cyl engine or even a 1.4 turbo? The diesel is the only cruze to buy.
Guest

Two things here:
1. $48,485 before on road costs for a heavily boosted 1.4 liter engine in an econo-box hatchback is poor value. The VW Polo GTi and even the Subaru WRX provide much better value and greater prestige yet costs much less. Go figure.
2. 75% increase in kW power & 55% increase in torque – all these going through the front wheels and through an open differential. AWD hardware & architecture has proven that grip, not massive horsepower is the key to performance. I rest my case.
- Dave S
  
  You can compare it to the VW or the Subaru, but they are production cars. This walkinshaw is hand made in an Aussie factory.
  - Jonno
    
    “…hand made in an Aussie factory” – mate, it’s not a HSV Cruze edition. It’s from Walkinshaw Performance – the aftermarket add-on performance tuning arm which is different from HSV – a joint venture between Holden and Walkinshaw Racing. Walky Racing runs the manufacturing facility for the Holden Racing Team in the V8 series.
JamesB

Seriously, for a hot turbo hatch, you can’t be brainless enough to go past a GTI, WRX, Ralliart, Mazdaspeed 3 or the upcoming ST and GTC. Whoever buys this is a complete retard.
- AMC63
  
  Id have to agree with you.
David

What about hot a sedan?
- JamesB
  
  Well, the WRX and Ralliart have sedan versions, Evo X if you have extra.
Braedz

Could get a Renault Megane for this money, which is a much better car in every single way!
Car Fanatic

You could buy a Bimmer 125 for a couple of grand less, get better performance and much better resale.
A Golf R
Scirocco R, looks better
Ralliart
The list goes on.

What a laugh.
- twincharger
  
  Surely car fanatic your two veeduds mentioned above,rolfr scirshocko.Arnt not in the class of the Walkinshaw Cruze.
Dennis

CA, Please change the Article. The complete package costs $50K.

The performance packages come in at $12,000-$13,000.

So around 42K + on roads.
Maz

You would need your head read to spend that much on a Cruze…
- Myn15sss
  
  I totally agree, honestly if anyone at all buys one of these they would have to be boarder line retarded. Just my opinion im quiet happy for someone to beg to differ. All these people that think the cruze is a quality car are kidding there selves. Its just a daewoo, they they have a target audience and would be fine if u were only keeping it in the warranty period, look out once it gets past 100,000 tho, especially this highly stressed 1.4 laging pos
  - Rocket
    
    Target audience are those who cant afford a Commo.
Car Fanatic

Dennis, better tell that to Walkinshaw PR then, they were the ones that released that figure, not CA.
- Dennis
  
  Every other article mentions the differen’t packages available….
ChopstaR87

More expensive then a ST and not as good… I think they might need to try a little harder.
- JamesB
  
  Tune the Opel Astra and GTC instead. I’m sure that’s what Walkinshaw would say if he were still alive.
YNWA

wow this is right up there with the 98′ excel. el terribley.
David Jones

I think they copied the HSV Astra lol
jekyl & hyde

looks like tom has put his head in the usa’s “go faster” bin.let’s get a bit real on the prices but.a ton of people have done upgrades on heaps of different 4cyl turbo’s over the years.lets do a real list…
1.bigger turbo $1.5k
2.better manifold $1k
3.better exhaust $1k
4.chip/ecu upgrade $1.5k
5.big brake kit $2k
6.some good seats $2k
7.some coilovers $1.5k

total $10-10.5k.

1.4 turbo to 180k=20psi boost? must be close…
no lsd…wtf
- Gibbut
  
  warranty $15k
qikturbo

It’s a shame that the Walkinshaw name has to be associated with such a tacky looking car….although it isn’t as bad as the WS VL Commodore back in the 80′s
- Jober As A Sudge
  
  Each to their own…i loved that car as a kid!
  - Henry F
    
    Me too! I loved that car when I first saw it in high school!
- Paul
  
  What walkinshaw name?
  By the way walkinshaw does not even make their own parts.
Vt363rwkw

These are awesome, and I’m hearing the HSV version will be better with more power. I heard 220kw plus HSv have made a revolutionary front diff called vector knuckle to harness all the power.
The hsv cruze will have more power than all the competition, ha ha ha
- Paul
  
  But will only last 1 third as long as its competition.
- Legnab
  
  Thats funny, a” revo knuckle diff ” , maybe you should read up on that one , might have more power but it wont get it on the ground .
  - Vt363rwkw
    
    Mate you stick with you FWD girl car mate, RWD like this all the way mate. I’d embarrassyou at the lights mate
    - Noddy of Toyland
      
      Obvious troll is obvious.
    - Legnab
      
      Are you actually focusing , the crude is FWD , do you understand the difference .
      - Vt363rwkw
        
        Mate the HSV Cruze is rwd, mate you are just a spastic.
        
        Mate you think revo knuckle is something your boyfriend does to you hahaha
      - Noddy of Toyland
        
        That was a good call it must be said, even if you are a spastic.
- Gibbut
  
  sounds hektik uleh!
The Prince

50K on a Cruze with styling done by primary shool kids…?? That is pure comedy gold right there!

LMFAO!!

(In fact the only thing funnier will be the huge off during the road test)

Nobody could be that stupid as to buy one of these.
Gibbut

boosting a 1.4 from 103kw to 180 sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

They wouldnt want to give it a warranty.
no tunnel vision

For this money …the Renault Megane RS265 is the complete package. NOTHING is as driver focused at under $50k on the road. Right down to Race style computer to record 0-100 times , lap times ect on the track. 184kws…not enough hit the esp button to boost you to 195kws. This is the most driver focused hot hatch on the road …and no auto ! If you want to steer a car go elsewhere !
I have a 10 yo renault sport driven like it should be ….no reliability issues at all !
Mistys17

Wow some ppl are pathetic,most of you that are knocking this car probably get around on the bus
Ashman

Well, as a Holden Fan & thinking about a cruze, better to grab all the add ons I can online and buy parts o/s and turbo upgrade locally same result way cheaper, if you want street cred and have 50k to spend – just hunt around for low klm HSV R8. Euro’s do way better hot hatches, always have as they love rallying. Cruzes are for affordable generic driving and Walkinshaw is just looking to suck a few people in for a buck, no resale in that car, it’s no Brock Commodore, ps Walkys didn’t skyrocket in price when he died.

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Holden Cruze turned into 180kW Walkinshaw Performance hot-hatch

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