GM releases official pics of 2011 Chevy Cruze
by John Neff on Aug 21st 2008 at 9:58AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the 2011 Chevy Cruze
They're here! The first official pics of the 2011 Chevy Cruze have been released by General Motors, and we're not ashamed to say it – we like it. Of course, we're comparing it to the current small car in GM's lineup, the Cobalt, so the bar is pretty low. That said, GM's new small car takes the split-grille motif made famous by the Malibu and makes it more interesting with sharp creases rather than rounded corners. The front end features headlights that extend up and "point" to the A-pillars, and a strong character line running the length of the vehicle sits below a concave bend that sweeps up to meet the windows.
GM claims that fit and finish of the Cruze will be world class for a small car, and that its interior will use "grained surfaces, soft-touch materials and low gloss trim panels" to improve its perceived quality. Unfortunately, no shots of the interior were provided, but you can catch a glimpse in this rear 3/4 shot.
The Cruze will be a global car, and as such it's going on sale in Europe first. It will makes its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, where European customers will be the first to check it out in person before it goes on sale in March 2009 overseas. It will be available at launch with a 112-hp 1.6L engine, a 140-hp 1.8L and a 150-hp 2.0L turbodiesel. The North American version will likely get GM's upcoming direct injected 1.4L four-cylinder. The Cruze will also offer a five-speed manual and GM's first application of a six-speed automatic in a small car.
The kicker? The 2011 Chevy Cruze will be built at GM's plant in Lordstown, OH where the current Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are built. Though it'll be built right in our own backyard, the Cruze reportedly won't be available in the U.S. for at least a year or two.
Check out AutoblogGreen's report on the new Cruze to discover its close connection with the Chevy Volt.
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze
[Source: GM]
PRESS RELEASE
All-New Chevrolet Cruze Features Dramatic Design
Detroit - 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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
rsfourever 10:02AM (8/21/2008)
you know what? this car actually looks pretty nice. I'm excited about what GM can do in the next few years with this, the impala, and the new volt...
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Silver 10:58AM (8/21/2008)
I agree, I think GM is finally (mostly) on course design-wise, though that front fender sweep looks pretty funky and the front end is overly busy.
But for the love of all that's holy, Chevy, could you *please* lose the ginormous GOLD bowtie? Gold trim hasn't been cool since...wait, gold trim has *NEVER* been cool.
Polly Prissy Pants 11:41AM (8/21/2008)
It does look nice but will it actually look like that when it's released? Will the wheels actually fill the wheel wells or will it be jacked up 3 inches and have wheels 2 inches too narrow? Is this the standard version or will the affordable one be chapened with a rolled under front end? I've seen plenty of nice Chevy concept vehicles but they tend to cheapen them up and ruin good designs by the time they actually hit the streets.
azzo45 11:43AM (8/21/2008)
Agreed about the garish, FUGLY gold bowtie...
...WHY does Chevy use this POS icon, when the hollow, motorsports version of the bowtie is much more modern & classy looking???
Also silver continues to be the most popular vehicle color... silver & gold? Good U2 song... crappy badge color (IMO)
Tool 12:24PM (8/21/2008)
Yeah, it looks great.
But why do we have to wait 2-3 years for this?
azzo45 12:29PM (8/21/2008)
But why do we have to wait 2-3 years for this?
Because GM doesn't have an "EASY" Button!!!
Torrent 12:39PM (8/21/2008)
I'm hoping the Impala looks something like this:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/naias/revitalization/chevroletria/impala.shtml
As for the Cruze, this car is definitely going to be a hit. I mean, for the first time, I have no peeves with the styling (front styling matches the rear). Like the Malibu, (which thankfully inspired this design) the Cruze is going to look so much more expensive than it is. Hopefully it rides like it, too. The design is not bad. Not bad at all.
Xcountryflyer 1:02PM (8/21/2008)
I certainly hope it is successful for GM. They certainly need a small car success and seem to be sweating the details lately on many new models. I think the door is cracked open for GM to deliver the goods. The new Corolla is pretty much a snore and unloved by the auto journalists (although consumers seems to love Ambien on wheels) and Honda is currently ruining all their new cars with butt ugly styling.
MasterCKO 1:46PM (8/21/2008)
@Polly Prissy Pants:
Yes, I think so. This is the production styling if I'm not mistaken.
Benfolio 4:04PM (8/21/2008)
Yeah, the EURO version.
I'm sure GM will dumb it down and gay it up for the US.
MasterCKO 8:38PM (8/22/2008)
Yeah, gay it up, just like they did for the CTS. *sigh*
you honestly think they're going to change the car's styling for the US? I doubt it.
In case you didn't read the article, this is a "global car." The part about global means to me that the car is probably going to sell in that style all around the world. The only change is the engines that the car will get, so probably no diesel, but whatever, if the Cobalt that is sold here now is anything to go by, it should have a good enough variety of economical and powerful options.
But whatever, we'll see.
Isuzu32 10:02AM (8/21/2008)
Very nice. Turbodiesel and a 5 speed. Nice.
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3seriesisking 11:31AM (8/21/2008)
I agree, very nice.
Can't wait to see one in person.
Way to get on the ball GM
garlinski 10:04AM (8/21/2008)
The grille and front facia are almost Audi-esque... Almost... Looks pretty good Chevy.
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:05AM (8/21/2008)
Subtle changes to GM's current designs, but major improvement.
Good work guys.
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Robert O 10:05AM (8/21/2008)
The Cobalt is a superior vehicle to the Cavalier. Unfortunately, its styling is awful, and, as good as it is compared to the Cavalier, it still falls way short of its competitors (from Korea and Japan). This Cruz is an attractive replacement. I hope GM executes correctly this time. The Malibu - even with its funky interior - suggests that Chevy can deliver. Let's hope so.
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Keith 10:05AM (8/21/2008)
I can't wait to see this on the rental car list at Hertz!
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Astro 10:08AM (8/21/2008)
well it seems like the logical progression from Cavalier, to Cobalt, to Cruze. Almost looks like a Mazda3 Cobalt love child. Quality wise, i hope its a step up.
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oZ 10:11AM (8/21/2008)
The side profile is almost Sebring, if Chrysler didn't add all of those extraneous lines.
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Gstill 11:00AM (8/21/2008)
I like this car. I don't like the name so much, but I like the car. Maybe GM will realize they need to sell this car sooner, because I think this car has a better chance of saving GM than the Volt does. If this car is priced like a Cobalt/Corolla/etc, it will be GM's highest selling vehicle in the US by a great margin.
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