Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Paris Motor Show, Chevrolet
Paris Preview: 2010 Chevy Cruze in person
by Sam Abuelsamid on Sep 15th 2008 at 3:52PM 
Click above for new high-res live shots of the 2010 Chevy Cruze
This afternoon GM design VP Ed Welburn and Chevy general manager Ed Peper gave us a preview of the new 2010 Chevy Cruze compact sedan. As is all too often the case with cool new small cars, the U.S. market is last in line as the Cruze will be going on sale in Europe next March as a 2010 model with a choice of 1.6L and 1.8L gas engines or a new 2.0L diesel that puts out 150 hp. As many have surmised from previous images of the Cruze, it is actually a bit bigger than the current Cobalt it will eventually replace. According to Peper, it actually slots in between the Cobalt and the Malibu, although it will get better fuel economy than both.
GM chose to debut the Cruze in Europe because it's the brands fastest growing market with a 23-percent growth in sales through the first half of 2008. Asked why the U.S. isn't getting it sooner, Peper blamed the current sales success of the Cobalt and other upcoming launches such as the Camaro. Peper also indicated that the Cruze will get an impressive 40 mpg on the highway at launch. When the Cruze goes into production at GM's Lordstown, OH plant in April 2010 as a 2011 model, it will be powered by the new 1.4L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder that has been announced previously. We don't have any pics of the interior yet because the car on display here is just the same styling buck with no guts that appeared in Lordstown a couple of weeks ago. We'll be sure to get those interior shots and more when the car makes it official world debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.
Gallery: 2010 Chevy Cruze - live shots
Gallery: 2011 Chevy Cruze
[Source: General Motors]
All-new Chevrolet Cruze features expressive design
Paris Motor Show Preview: First Images of the Chevrolet Cruze
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Juan 3:56PM (9/15/2008)
40 MPG? O sh**...
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BoneHeadOtto 4:12PM (9/15/2008)
2011 model...OH SH**
Mark 3:58PM (9/15/2008)
why aren't they just replacing the cobalt?
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apearlman 5:14PM (9/15/2008)
As mentioned in the article (and by other commenters below), the Cobalt will continue another couple of years because it's selling well.
I agree that it's dumb for GM to wait. The Cobalt is selling well because it gets better mileage than any other Chevy. People are desperate for fuel economy. But wouldn't the Cruze sell even better, if it's a bigger and better car that is even more fuel efficient than the Cobalt?
If this thing is as good as GM claims -- and I'm VERY skeptical of the 40mpg for a US model -- then why not get your best possible product to market ASAP? Is this what successful companies do? "We've got a winner, but let's sit on it because the old one is still making money." Come on, GM. If you're going to compete, at least make it look like you're trying. Sell us the best cars you can make right now.
PJ 9:42PM (9/15/2008)
Looks good, design-wise--not outstanding, but good. Bear in mind, we're looking at the full-boat version with the big alloys, foglights, et cetera (those blingy brake discs seem unlikely for production).
Is the 1.4 DI turbo the only engine that's going to be offered in the US? With a 1.6 and 1.8 production-ready, that's really the only reasonable excuse for delaying US sales until 2011. Just because your current, mediocre product (Cobalt) is still selling well to fleets doesn't mean it isn't hurting your brand image and reputation in the class.
GM should have learned this lesson from the 2005 changeover from Cavalier to Cobalt. The Cobalt had to fight an uphill battle from day one, perception-wise, because of the Cav's "small Chevy = POS" baggage. It was never a class-leading car to begin with, but if the Cobalt hangs on until 2011, it's going to look similarly crude (the next-generation Civic, Mazda3, and Golf will all be on sale) and dump its own baggage on the Cruze.
I want to be excited about this car, but GM makes it awfully hard to believe that they've changed their tune about selling small cars in the US.
Ricksta 3:58PM (9/15/2008)
So the only Coupe from Chevy will be the Camaro in 2011? Interesting.
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Hike15 5:45PM (9/15/2008)
corvette?
Ricksta 7:16AM (9/16/2008)
The only one regular people can afford.
lester 3:59PM (9/15/2008)
looks like a winner, now all it needs is brakes
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James 4:00PM (9/15/2008)
For some reason, this car looks much larger in photos than it actually is!
I'm not sure if I dig this "manly" styling direction. I like my cars a bit more curvaceous.
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Torrent 4:01PM (9/15/2008)
Still looking good, and based off the spy shot of the interior on Autobloggreen, this is going to be a winner- and 40 MPG just sweetens the deal.
Just one teency weency tiny little small problem with it.... The plastic window thing in back. Would it have raised costs significantly if they just used glass? Not really. Other than that, finally, a good looking small Chevy.
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Torrent 4:04PM (9/15/2008)
One more teeny little problemo- why April 2010? Why not '09? The Cobalt can't possibly live another year. Well I guess it has to...... But still....
why not the LS2LS7? 4:14PM (9/15/2008)
There's nothing wrong with the Cobalt. I had one as a rental two weeks ago.
And it gets best-in-class MPG. There's no reason to think it can't go another year.
geo.stewart 4:23PM (9/15/2008)
the reason they are waiting is BECAUSE the Cobalt is selling so well, no other reason. you dont kill a profitable horse early. Hopefully, tht extra time will give Europe all the recalls that come in the first year of a US car (as opposed to Japan with the last year) and the Cruze will come to the US relatively recall free.
Torrent 5:36PM (9/15/2008)
I mean the Cobalt is great and all, but it's just the looks and size. It's pretty small to up against the Civic and Corolla. This one is bigger overall, so I think it should do great.
No Welfare for GM 4:02PM (9/15/2008)
April 2010 as a 2011 ???????????????????????????????????????????????????
Will GM even be alive by 2010? This car should be here NOW. This is a matter of life and death.
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Holden Miecranc 7:09PM (9/15/2008)
Yup, they should just snap their fingers and make it appear. Moron.
John 8:06PM (9/15/2008)
You know nothing of the product engineering process. Emissions durability alone can take 3+ years.
DC_1 4:04PM (9/15/2008)
I thought this was the Cobalts replacement?
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Torrent 8:19PM (9/15/2008)
I heard that after the Cruze comes out, the cobalt will stick around for another year or two. Just kill it, IMO, but keep the SS and the great powertrain.