Paris Preview: Chevy Cruze official pics released
by Sam Abuelsamid on Aug 21st 2008 at 10:14AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Cruze
Chevrolet has just released official photos of the first car to be based on the company's next generation Delta platform, also known officially as the Global Compact Car platform. The Chevy Cruze will get its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in October and will be available globally starting in Europe next March. The U.S. market should get the Cruze about a year later with initial sales alongside the existing Cobalt, though eventually the Cobalt goes away in favor of the Cruze. At its European launch the Cruze will have 1.6L and 1.8L gas four-cylinders with variable valve timing and a new 2.0L diesel good for 150 hp. The U.S. market Cruze is expected to debut with the new 1.4L direct injected turbo four that will be built in Flint, MI. Cruzes for North American drivers will be built at GM's Lordstown, OH plant alongside the Cobalt.
The Cruze platform will ultimately spawn a whole plethora of small vehicles in the GM family, including the next generation Astra and a compact MPV to replace the Zafira. That MPV is planned to be built in Detroit alongside another member of the Delta family, something called the Volt. The Volt will have different styling and a hatchback body style along with a normally aspirated version of the 1.4L to charge its lithium ion battery pack. The Volt will also share many under-body components with the Cruze. More details on the Cruze are after the jump.
Gallery: Paris 2008: Chevrolet Cruze
[Source: General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE
All-new Chevrolet Cruze features dramatic design
Paris Motor Show Preview: First Images of the Chevrolet CruzeDetroit - The first photographs of Chevrolet's all-new Cruze sedan - making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October - reveal a dynamic four-door coupe that proves exciting design and value are not mutually exclusive.
On sale beginning in Europe from March next year, Cruze features a dramatic re-interpretation of the traditional sedan featuring Chevrolet's new global design language that is becoming a signature on all new products carrying the gold bowtie.
Cruze's arching roof-line, extending from the steeply raked windshield to its sloping rear pillars and short rear deck, brings coupe-like proportions to a compact sedan.
Wider and longer than most of its competitors, Cruze has a purposeful stance with its wheels located at the outer edges of the tautly drawn bodywork. Noticeably tight body panel fits and a restrained use of exterior trim add to a high quality, 'hewn from solid' appearance.
Cruze's dramatic profile is matched by bold front styling, with large headlamp housings that wrap around the front corners and sweep up, arrow-like, into the fenders and sculpted hood. Other distinct design themes include a concave shoulder line, the two-tier grille and a "wheels-out/body-in" stance. Inside, Cruze features a 'twin cockpit' design motif, first introduced in the iconic Corvette sports car.
"Our goal in designing Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary," says chief designer Taewan Kim. "We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world."
Visitors to the Paris show will see how Chevrolet's progressive design is also reflected in the quality of Cruze's interior. The use of grained surfaces, soft-touch materials and low gloss trim panels ensures a quality ambience that echoes the clean, harmonious design of the exterior.
At launch in Europe, Cruze will be available with 16-valve, 1.6-liter (112 hp/82 kW) and 1.8-liter (140 hp/103 kW) gasoline engines featuring variable valve timing (VVT) on both inlet and exhaust sides, giving more power as well as better fuel economy and lower emissions. A new 2.0-liter turbo diesel, developing 150 hp/ 110 kW and 320 Nm of torque adds power with even greater frugality. Five-speed manual gearboxes and an all-new automatic transmission, Chevrolet's first six-speed application in the compact segment, complete the powertrain menu.
With sales in Europe up by 23 percent for the first six months of 2008, Chevrolet is GM Europe's fastest-growing mainstream brand. The arrival of Cruze spearheads an exciting new product roll-out program that is expected to propel the brand to even greater success.
"We are proud that Europe is leading the introduction for this global product," said Wayne Brannon, Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe. "Chevrolet has always stood for expressive value and Cruze delivers on that promise like never before. It further redefines Chevrolet with its design, quality, materials and great style inside and out. The fit and finish for gaps and interfaces sets a new standard for this segment in Europe and around the world."
Cruze is the result of a development process harnessing GM's global expertise and is the first of a new family of compact products that will deliver world class quality. It will be backed by expected highest scores in all major crash safety ratings.
The Chevrolet Cruze will be available in Europe from March 2009, followed by other global markets with regional-specific engine choices.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Turbofrog 10:28AM (8/21/2008)
I've seen worse, but I've definitely seen better.
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ronzo 10:55AM (8/21/2008)
A good looking small car from GM??? Wow! Times, they are a-changin'!
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Peekoyle 11:04AM (8/21/2008)
I hate to be negative but that car is butt ugly.
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axiom 11:36AM (8/21/2008)
EASILY THE UGLIEST CAR I'VE EVER SEEN! LMAO!! GM IS DE@D!
WOW. Its like a combination of so many ugly features you almost think something's wrong with your eyes. I mean, WOW.
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wave54 7:37PM (8/21/2008)
WOW is right! Could they possibly have used any greater number of discordant lines, curves, swoops and shapes on that front-end? Major league ugly.
The bigger problem will be pricing, which will have to be above the Cobalt's current structure. Chevy will be running into a lot of worthy competition at the $15-20K price range. The Cruze is supposed to be a "premium" small car, built to be profitable -- this is NOT a $12K rental lot stripper.
Rick 1:03PM (8/21/2008)
Just the extra large emblem and the hortizontal bar it rests on that cuts the grill in half that bother me.
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oldraven 1:52PM (8/21/2008)
This looks great. It's leaps and bounds better looking than the Cobalt and you'd find it hard to believe this company used to sell us the Cavalier in this segment.
I'm loving the new GM, and with their recent post-apocalyptic efforts they look like they may get the crown back someday. I'm not holding my breath, considering Rick's comment is held by so many (no matter how much those opinions are formed by old cars from a by-gone era), but it's looking good for GM.
stevefazek 5:42PM (8/21/2008)
Dear GM,
REALLY? REALLY? REALLY? are you fucking serious? You have 18-24 months of cash reserves before your out of business and this is the best you can do for the new segment you talk will save you. REALLY? REALLY?
Mechanics? AWESOME
I would almost buy one alone on the idea of 40MPG with an auto and prolly a bit more with a stick.
But the Grill, Headlights and tail lights looks like Micheal J Fox Designed them.
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Pierre 9:19PM (8/21/2008)
I quite like the design. Sue me.
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Epyx 8:57AM (8/22/2008)
Strange that all the negative comments are on ABG and have nothing to do with the good MPG it gets. This is the same audience that drools on a Yaris and wants the Geo Metro to make a comeback. Most of the AB readers have left positive comments about the car and the looks.
It may not be your favorite design but it is hard to say it is out of line of the competition. This is a very competitive design for the segment. The Mazda3 is still better looking (imo) but it does not get 40mpg (or even close) the Cruze appears better looking than a Corolla, Yaris, US Focus, SX4, Accent, and Rio
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jphyundai 9:12AM (8/22/2008)
GM got it right this time. I can't wait until 2011. I am planning to buy one.
Chris 11:02AM (8/22/2008)
To stevefazek:
You're an ignorant jerk. Michael J Fox has Parkison's Disease which of course you know, hence your comment. You are an idiot and a redneck.
By the way, "hence" means "therefore", just FYI.
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Epyx 1:57PM (8/22/2008)
Chris,
Steve is most certainly an idiot but we can not determine from the information at hand of his redneck status. :)
Colin 10:10AM (8/22/2008)
No kidding, this is an economy car, not a halo supercar. I think it looks pretty darn good considering it will knock out 40+ mpg.
Really? The Corolla looks better? Puh-leaze. The Corolla is so bland I can't even recall what it looks like.
you GM haters crack me up.
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Steve 10:18AM (8/22/2008)
I like the design, too. As somebody else suggested above, the styling is much more appealing than the bland products from the 80's and 90's. I swear, with some of the negative comments I read above, you'd think people were looking at the Aztek, current bloated Camry, Bangle'd BMW, or new Fit (which appears too bulbous for my tastes).
The styling of the Cruze fits in well with other current Chevy products, like the new Malibu and Equinox. And given the importance of brand identity (especially to an automaker aiming to turn around public perception), such unified styling cues among various products is a /good/ thing.
Different design elements appeal to different people. Generally speaking, elements can be sorted into two types: feminine and masculine... with curves typifying the former, and angles typifying the latter. Because aerodynamics play such a significant role in efficiency, most of the Japanese imports convey more feminine (or worse than either, androgynous) design cues.
The new Chevys clearly convey masculine elements, setting them apart from the pack. To a degree, it represents the confidence boldness that has historically typified the American spirit and attitude. I'm willing to bet this is no accident. In regards to styling -- as with quality, performance, and efficiency -- the American automakers can't afford be bland and mediocre. It can't be like Toyota, resting on decades Consumer Reports accolades and settle for appliance-like styling that neither offends nor strongly appeals to any individual. Chevy needs to make a statement of their relevence in the marketplace through confident, distinctive styling, then follow through with delivery of quality, efficiency, and desirable driving characteristics.
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realistic_idealist 5:41AM (9/09/2008)
OH COME ON!!! KILL CREATIVITY WHILE YOU'RE AT IT!!!
GM IS ALWAYS 3-5 YEARS BEHIND DESIGN CUES....
This thing looks like someone shat out a Bimmer and threw up a Caddy into a freaking blender and stuck that lazy-eyed retarded emblem on the front. You might as well stick it on a sideways cross and watch this company burn into bankruptcy!
GO GM GO!!! BURN THAT MONEY!!!
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Johari 10:34AM (8/25/2008)
I love the new grille that Chevrolet is adopting for their current generation of cars. That being said, I can't stand the rest of the car. The C-pillar is bordering on Chrysler Sebring territory, which is never a good thing. And once again, Chevy designers have dropped the ball and got lazy with the taillights. The HHR, Aveo5, Cobalt, and Malibu all have horrendous taillights. Only the Impala and Corvette have class. This time around, they took a page from the JDM Civic/Canadian Acura CSX for the taillights.
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Aimless Six 3:51AM (9/15/2008)
Hmmmmm....
Not a very exiting styling. Apart from the grill, it might just be a Mazda 6 or Opel Vectra. Europe has better options in the upper mid sized catagory.
"... Chevrolet is GM Europe's fastest-growing mainstream brand."
Yep, from zero to small is fast growing. Right now, Chrystler is best known for the .....
Daewoo Matiz
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GMSTOCKOWNER 10:31PM (9/17/2008)
I like it, think ot looks good.
Others have said it looks like shite, na, But what I really care about it the MPG and the size 4 the MPG. F'n blows away toyota and honda direct competition, I really dont think they honda and toyota even have a "similar class".
This thing from the specks should be nice and comfortable, something the Yaris and Fit re not.
Yes, I do own GM stock, just sitting on it, waiting for GMs one to punch the Cruze/Volt combo!
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