by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 02/03/2017 at 10:47
by "Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
Published 02/03/2017 at 10:47
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So the Chevy Cruze and the Vauxhall/Opel Astra are essentially the same car. But in reading and watching the reviews for them, I’m seeing two different opinions about the handling.
The Chevy has been critiqued by saying it’s not as sporty or engaging as many of the others in it’s class (Golf, Focus, Civic). The Astra on the other hand has been universally praised for its playfulness, second only to the Focus.
Did GM really make two different suspension setups for the two markets? Or do the US journalists just expect different things from the car compared to European ones?
"CalzoneGolem" (calzonegolem)
02/03/2017 at 10:49, STARS: 7
Or is journalist bias a real thing?
Tune in next week ...
"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/03/2017 at 10:56, STARS: 1
Or is it automotive placebo effect?
"facw" (facw)
02/03/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 3
I don’t know the answer, but honestly I wouldn’t be shocked. It’s well known that US roads are generally not as well maintained as European ones, so a softer suspension for the US market might make sense.
"djmt1" (djmt1)
02/03/2017 at 10:59, STARS: 2
Most likely yeah. They aren’t built in the same factory and are for different markets. Plus making softer versions for the American market isn’t exactly a new phenomenon. Also something something about competition and the French.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/03/2017 at 11:00, STARS: 2
Did GM really make two different suspension setups for the two markets? Or do the US journalists just expect different things from the car compared to European ones?
It’s the former. Journalists do expect other things in different markets, however as far as I know it’s the Europeans who expect more from a car in this segment. Not the other way around.
Consumers expect different things. That’s why companies need to adjust their vehicles for different markets. If they don’t, they’ll fail. Besides, these cars only share platforms. They’re not essentially the same as far as I know.
"jimz" (jimz)
02/03/2017 at 11:04, STARS: 1
yes. I had an SRT-4 and live in Michigan. after a while, that stiff of a suspension gets tiring.
"Svend" (svend)
02/03/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 1
It’s been noted many times that suspension set up is different for different markets. Apparently there is even different set up for U.K. and European roads, so it’s not just E.U. and U.S. that are different.
"victor" (victor)
02/03/2017 at 11:18, STARS: 1
Even the focus has slightly different suspension tuning based on market
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/03/2017 at 11:21, STARS: 1
That’s what had me confused. The Astra reviews were all “Astras used to be soft, this is pretty good!” and the Cruze reviews were all “It’s better but not great” And I just wondered if the American journalists were just being cynical or just expecting Camaro like tuning
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/03/2017 at 11:24, STARS: 0
That makes sense.
"Carbon Fiber Sasquatch" (turbopumpkin)
02/03/2017 at 11:27, STARS: 1
That’s what I was thinking! Especially when one of the US publications alluded to the fact that it should be better because the Camaro is so good
"Nick Has an Exocet" (nickallain)
02/03/2017 at 12:28, STARS: 0
The looks can be deceiving. They share a platform, but it’s a LOT more than a badge swap. The Cruze actually has a 2 inch longer wheelbase.
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
02/03/2017 at 12:50, STARS: 1
103 vs 106" wheelbase. They could have also put in softer shocks and still have the same type of suspension.