The Chevrolet Cruze sedan will be making its appearance in South Africa "in the coming months", GMSA confirmed this week.

The Cruze, which was on display at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October last year, will build on GMSA’s charge into the compact car market for 2009, where the group hopes it will be able to compete by offering "exceptional value for money".

GMSA says the model is part of its plans for a global design language that features "clean and dynamic lines" and coupé-like styling to appeal to buyers from a wider audience.

"It will prove particularly attractive to those who are looking for a family vehicle," GMSA says.

The handling is reportedly taut and responsive without sacrificing comfort because of its rigid chassis and solid construction. (We can't for the opportunity to put GMSA to the test).

There are no concrete details on final specifications, but GMSA says the most likely offering will be 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engine or a two-litre diesel. The variable valve-timing petrol engines produce 83kW and 153Nm and 104kW and 176Nm for the 1.6-litre and 1.8-litre respectively.

The 16-valve, turbo-diesel delivers 110kW and 320Nm at 2000r/min. That’s all with "miserly fuel consumption" of 5.6l/100km in the combined cycle, GMSA notes.

Safety features have not been neglected and GMSA promises the car is packed with a number of active and passive systems, which earned it the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from the. GM says it "is confident that the Cruze will receive the same results in the Euro NCAP assessment".

A big fat zero It's not often you hear of a company that wants a zero score - but Renault's plans depend on it.

Ronaldo makes it slick Tired of dumbed-down ads for car products? Try this one by footballer Ronaldo for size.

Old tricks, new name A new craze among US drivers to employ fanatical fuel-saving methods is coming to a road near you.