Holden lets Cruze drivers unleash their voice
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 12th Jul 2013
All locally-built Cruze variants are now fitted with voice control tuned to the Australian accent, while the Siri ‘eyes-free’ system is also included, allowing iPhone users to perform as number of functions hands-free.
Drivers can use their voice to instruct the system to read out text messages while driving, and depending on the phone, reply via voice-command or by using the touch-screen.
Users can also change music tracks, switch between apps or make a phone call without having to touch their device.
The update comes four months after the Cruze received a significant overhaul, incorporating major mechanical tweaks under the skin with more equipment and the addition of GM’s MyLink infotainment system.
The MyLink system was introduced in Australia earlier this year in the Barina CDX and is now available on a number off other Holden products, including the recently-launched Malibu mid-sizer and the VF Commodore.
MyLink connects to a paired smartphone and includes Bluetooth functionality and access to internet radio apps Pandora and Stitcher.
The top-spec Cruze SRi-V adds MyLink-integrated sat-nav that can be used with voice recognition and includes 3D map views and split-screen intersection view.
Prices for the Cruze line-up remain unchanged after Holden dropped the price of a number of variants when the updated version went on sale in March this year.
Holden executive director of sales and marketing Philip Brook said the company had been overwhelmed by the response to the Cruze upgrade and was pleased to be adding more technology into the car.
“At the time of launch we promised we would add navigation back to the range-topping SRi-V model as soon as we were able,” he said. “The system has been introduced to VF Commodore which enables us to put it into production for Cruze as well.”But Cruze sales are down by 23.9 cent for the first six months of 2013 with 12,503 units shifted compared to 16,437 in the same period last year.
The Toyota Corolla remains Australia’s favourite small, selling 20,970 units from January to June, while last year’s top-seller, the Mazda3 is close behind with 20,077 sales.
Hyundai’s i30 hatch range is also keeping the Australian-built Cruze at bay as the third best-selling small car, with 14,982 sales this year, up seven per cent over last year’s result.
| 2013 Holden Cruze pricing* | |
| Equipe 1.8l | $19,490 |
| Equipe 1.8l (a) | $21,690 |
| Equipe 1.4l (a) | $23,190 |
| Equipe 2.0l (a) | $25,690 |
| CDX 1.8l (a) | $24,190 |
| CDX 2.0l (a) | $28,190 |
| SRi 1.6l | $22,490 |
| SRi 1.6l (a) | $24,690 |
| SRi-V 1.6l | $26,490 |
| SRi-V 1.6l (a) | $28,690 |
