The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is already on sale in most parts of the globe but for Chevy’s most vital market the car’s launch is still several months away. At this week’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Chevrolet is continuing to tease us with its stylish new Civic and Corolla rival.

The Cruze promises to redefine fuel efficiency for the small-car segment, and its 1.4-liter four-cylinder range of engines could herald a new era of fun-to-drive cars for Americans, even if a sporty SS version never materializes.

Europeans are, of course, neck-deep in such cars, but American buyers have only recently come to appreciate the virtues of such vehicles--and U.S. fuel economy regulations have only recently come to incentivize their production and sales.

There will be three different time levels, LS, LT and LTZ trims. The engine lineup includes both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, including a 1.4-liter turbo and a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions are available.

The turbo is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138-horsepower and 148-pound-feet of torque. The 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill, meanwhile, will be rated at 136-horsepower and 123-pound-feet of torque.

When you're done ogling the live pics, check out TheCarConnection.com for a much more detailed report on the Cruze.