I'd been invited by Chevrolet in the UK to test drives both their Cruze and Volt cars on a two-day drive around the flat Cambridgeshire countryside.
While the Cruze has been available in the UK in 5-door hatchback and saloon models, this occasion was to try a new and more efficient 1.7 VCDi turbodiesel engine outputting 130PS and 300Nm with C02 emissions of just 117g/km which across the pond qualifies buyers for free road tax for the first year. It has a combined fuel economy of 62.7mpg.
The car I drove was the top trim LTZ packed with goodies like climate control, cruise control, automatic wipers and headlights, rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The interior is smart looking, practical and functional.
Leather seats are very comfy, and can be adjusted to fit most 'frames' giving a really nice driving position. The whole interior seemed quite premium. The central console has been styled well and looks the part while the dials are easy to read at a glance.
This car proved quite a lively drive, especially along the motorway and also on some good straight country roads, with very decent punch from the 1.8 diesel engine which is mated to a slick six speed manual gearbox.
A Station Wagon variant of the 1.7 VCDi model will follow later this year.
In the UK, the entry-level LS comes with air con, ESC, remote central locking, follow-me-home headlamps, and is priced at £16,725 while the mid-range LT is £17,825.
The range topping LTZ at £18,685 has standard cruise control, 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights, climate control, automatic wipers and aluminium-effect interior detailing.
I look forward to enjoying the car on Irish roads later this month at a special Chevrolet event in Co Wicklow when we'll get to find out the Irish specifications and prices for the Chevrolet range coming to Ireland in the summer.