Chevrolet Selects Alcoa Forged Aluminum Wheels for 2011 Cruze Eco
Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, announced today that it has been awarded the wheel program for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The lightweight wheels help the vehicle to achieve outstanding fuel efficiency. Chevrolet recently announced a segment-leading estimated 40 mpg on the highway for the Cruze Eco when equipped with a manual six-speed transmission
“Alcoa is pleased to supply forged aluminum wheels for Cruze Eco. Closely following the launch of our Volt wheel program, the Chevrolet team pursued a wheel providing light weight performance that would further extend fuel economy for this latest vehicle,” said Victor Marquez, Vice President and General Manager – Alcoa Auto Wheels.
Alcoa was awarded the wheel program for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The light weight wheels (just 17.8 pounds) help the vehicle achieve outstanding fuel economy.
Alcoa focused on design, engineering and production techniques to lower the overall weight of the wheel. Forged aluminum wheels by Alcoa provide increased strength and durability gains and are typically greater than 20 percent lighter than a comparable cast aluminum wheel. The seventeen-inch wheels fitted to Cruze Eco weigh just 17.8 lbs.
Light weight forged aluminum wheels not only have a mass reduction effect that reduces emissions and fuel consumption but also further improves driving performance and efficiency by reducing unsprung weight. Less rotational inertia is required to accelerate and decelerate the wheels. Additionally, less mass in the wheel allows for mass reduction in adjacent, unsprung components such as brakes, steering and suspension. Forged wheels offering light weight benefits are the catalyst for a paradigm shift in mass reduction and continued improvement in fuel economy and emissions.
“Alcoa is honored to be working closely with Chevrolet to continue to provide light weight wheel solutions that benefit the consumer, the economy and the environment. If we can also enhance the driving performance, then it’s a success on all fronts,” concluded Marquez.
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