The car's appearance and statistics have been well-known since its preview in the U.S. last month, but two new photos of the car's interior were revealed during the car's official debut in Paris today. These show the Cruze's cabin will have a thoroughly modern look about it, with more vibrant coloring than might be typical of GM's cars in the U.S.
The version pictured here has been designed for the European market and will be available with two petrol engines and one diesel engine upon its launch in March next year. The petrol engines measure 1.6 and 1.8L and develop 112hp (82kW) and 140hp (103kW) respectively. Both feature variable valve timing on the inlet and exhaust sides to improve fuel economy and boost low-end performance. The oil-burner is a 2.0L turbodiesel and develops 150hp (110lW) and 320Nm of torque. A five-speed manual will be fitted as standard but a new six-automatic will also be available.
The North American version of the car will replace the current Cobalt and is set to receive its own powertrain lineup and trim options. Power for the American version is expected to come from a 1.4L turbo four-cylinder that's good for 40mpg (5.88L/100km) on the open road, and likely to get close to 30mpg (7.8L/100km) in city use. Production will be handled at GM’s Lordstown assembly plant in Ohio, most likely in early 2010, with first sales to start soon after.
Built around the Delta 2 platform - the first GM vehicle to use the new architecture - the Cruze will be the forerunner of the replacements for many of GM’s cars around the world including the HHR, the Cobalt and Opel’s Zafira.
For the Asian market the car will be badged as a Daewoo and is expected to go on sale about the same time as the North American version.
Reader Comments
Fri Aug 15 2008 9:40 AM
Laz says
Sounds like a nice car if under $16K in the US. Chevy needs to stop charging you for every option and give you more standard options! The thiing that has kept me away from GM is the pricing, it is not straight forward with a long list of options to add-on...
Fri Aug 15 2008 3:42 PM
Chris says
on first read i thought chevy was serious about going after the focus (globally) for the top spot in the C class market but after reading that it will be a daewoo outside of north america, to me it's nothing more but the same old crappy small cars from GM. if a GM loyalist were to buy this over an astra.. they deserve to be shot. multiple times. with rubber bullets... don't want to kill them.. right away. or maybe the ownership of yet another crappy small GM will be enough torture.
Sat Aug 16 2008 12:25 AM
Palmer M says
Chris - I think this is a case of the Daewoo migrating to the global Delta platform, not the other way around. This would include the next Opel/Vauxhall/Saturn Astra, and the China-market Buick Excelle.
RIP Suzuki Forenza, Daewoo Nubira, Chevy Nubira, and Chevy Optra (Optima?)
Somebody please correct me if I've got my platforms crossed up!
If GM would offer the new Cruze with a NON-turbo 1.4, NO air conditioning, a 5 speed, and electric- or no-power steering, I'd be very interested.
Thu Aug 21 2008 9:16 AM
NoNameDenton says
Much better then the current Cobalt.
Thu Aug 21 2008 9:34 AM
Turkle says
I have a feeling that the very aggressive front end seen in the photos will not make it to the U.S., especially that air inlet below the license plate. The U.S. will most likely get more solid plastic across the front of this car. I could be wrong, but I just don't see the front of this car accomodating our lager license plates. Visually this car looks good, for a small econo-class car.
Thu Aug 21 2008 9:40 AM
Stugots says
It's okay but nowhere near as compelling as the new Fords that are coming down the pike. This is not a vehicle that is going to excite anyone. Laz is right, 16K at most.
Thu Aug 21 2008 10:07 AM
Chris says
to me it looks like they're trying to push the american styling that ford has been trying for the last couple years.. it may work well with american classics like caddy.. but people who are buying this car wont want that classic american styling.. they'll want something more international looking.. fords just realizing that the reason why the focus was so damned successful in the first place was cause it looked unamerican..
i mean, this car has a lot of the styling that makes the malibu so nice.. but the problem is it's too... old. it's agressive looking.. sure.. but old.
I like what's hapening with the gas prices.. it seems like the big cars are getting more.. "refined" and the smaller cars are going to be the aggressive ones. good. very good.
Thu Aug 21 2008 10:38 AM
amac says
Yawn. Another rental superstar.
Thu Aug 21 2008 1:15 PM
nick says
nothing special but those rear lights and bumper have a slight liking to the next bmw 7?
Thu Aug 21 2008 2:58 PM
seguin says
If the Cobalt SS is any indication, it'll probably have plenty of hustle in some form. I'd love this to be my first new car.
Thu Aug 21 2008 3:48 PM
NoNameDenton says
amac, you are strange. This will be better then Toyota and Honda's offerings, and will be a good little brother to the successful Malibu.
Thu Aug 21 2008 4:14 PM
TaeKwonDonkey says
Bring the model shown here to the U.S. with some quality good looking rims and Chevy's got something on their hands
Thu Aug 21 2008 4:18 PM
Laz says
Before anyone announces the Cruze as a Toyota and Honda killer let's wait for it to prove itself. I am a US consumer who stoped buying American cars for sometime now, but would love to see them make a big comeback!
Thu Aug 21 2008 5:46 PM
NoNameDenton says
Laz, if GM has a good interior and the milage is the 30 city and 40 highway as they say, it really will be a killer, long as the keep the price competitive.
Thu Aug 21 2008 7:36 PM
worldbfree4me says
$16k, Hah, I think not..or for a 4 door Euro/Portugal Rental Pkg (5spd,No Ac,Cassette Player)
2008 Cobalt 4 door MSRP1 Invoice2
Base Price $19,695 $18,612
Destination $660 $660
Total $20,355 $19,272
Fri Aug 22 2008 5:25 PM
waffle says
I bet if this car showed u with a toyota symbol on the front everyone would be commenting on how modern and stylish it was. Instead of being so critical of its looks.
Fri Aug 22 2008 8:11 PM
NoNameDenton says
Very true waffle, the Detroit automakers can never catch a break.
Mon Aug 25 2008 8:38 AM
Laz says
NoNameDenton, that is why I hope this car does well. Detroit kind of shot themselves in the foot in the past but this could put them in the running again...
Mon Sep 15 2008 6:45 PM
NoNameDenton says
My only porblem Laz is we do not get the diesel, but I am a diesel man, I wish we got much more in the way fo diesel options, otherwise this looks like an excellent car, would love to see an SS version with a turbo inline 4 (Bigger then the 1.4 liter turbo engine we get).
Tue Sep 16 2008 8:37 AM
Laz says
Until the US wakes from it's diesel funk we will not see many here! If VW does well with their new diesel line-up here in the US, others may follow...
Tue Sep 16 2008 8:58 AM
Edward says
Wow!!!! Another Jaguar XF look-alike. Or rather I should say the Jag looks like everything else!!!!! LOL!!!!
Tue Sep 16 2008 1:19 PM
Tom Mills says
Love Chevy's aggressive new front-end. This car looks great - let's just hope the substance is as good as the style.
Tue Sep 16 2008 2:10 PM
Laz says
How many of you think the Cruze will be GM's savior and not the Volt...
Tue Sep 16 2008 5:46 PM
NoNameDenton says
I do Laz, much nicer looking, too bad GM is supposed to price it higher then it should be.
Wed Oct 1 2008 11:56 AM
Laz says
I just hope the Cruze doesn't get pimped to the rental car companies...
Wed Oct 1 2008 12:36 PM
NoNameDenton says
That would suk, but the new Malibu is not, so we might actually see a good selling car.
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