LA Will See Cruze and Mazda2

New to the US small cars will finally appear in Los Angeles

Beginning to see the good stuff

Here at LotPro.com, we’re always complaining, and rightly so, that Americans very rarely get to drive the good stuff – especially when it comes to some of the world’s best small cars.

But with a new mileage mandate from the feds and the gas price spike of two thousand and eight still on the minds of the world’s manufacturers, it appears that North American drivers will finally get the chance to join the rest of the world in enjoying some of the finest small cars on the planet.

And just as every journey begins with a first step; it appears that that first step will take place at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show.

L.A. 09

We should begin by stating that much of what is new to North American drivers will be old news to most folks in both Europe and Asia. Both the Mazda2 and the Chevrolet Cruze (not to mention the Ford Fiesta) have been around for a year or more on both continents. Nonetheless, they will soon be ours.

2011 Mazda2

Based on the DE platform which also underpins the Ford Fiesta, the Mazda2 (also called Demio in some markets) is the first B-segment Mazda since the Mazda 323 of the 90’s. Currently available in either a 3-door or 5-door hatchback body style, European Mazda2’s are available with the choice of a 1.3-liter four producing either 74 or 85 horsepower, a 1.5-liter four with 102 horses, or a 67 hp 1.4-liter turbo-diesel four.

The Mazda2 really is a good measure of the good stuff, as it was named the 2008 World Car of the Year.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Badged as the Daewoo Lacetti in Korea and the Holden Cruze in Australia, it is known everywhere else in the world as the Chevrolet Cruze. Already available in Mexico (Mexico?), the Cruze will go on sale in the US of A in the third quarter of next year.

The Cruze will be available with a plethora of engines (with expected fuel economies of up to 40 mpg) including a 1.4-liter turbo four. Available amenities will include navigation, Bluetooth, XM Satellite radio, OnStar and a total of 10 air bags.

Tags: Chevrolet, chevrolet cruze, daewoo, daewoo lacetti, Ford, ford fiesta, holden, holden cruze, los angeles auto show, mazda, mazda2