General Motors have finally released the first official pictures of the Chevrolet Cruze, its next major release. The Chevy Cruze is a very significant car for GM and will be sold in markets across the world. It is expected to replace Chevrolet Optra or the Optra Magnum in the ASEAN region.

The car will be unveiled at the upcoming Paris motor show in October and will go on sale in March 2009 across Europe first. The engine options are going to be aplenty with entry level model featuring a 1.6 Litre 112 bhp petrol engine, a 140 bhp 1.8 Litre petrol and 2.0 Litre 150 bhp common rail turbocharged diesel. The car will come with either a 5 or a 6 Speed manual transmission.

The Cruze in India is expected to be sold alongside the Optra Magnum but will be pegged in a segment above against the likes of Honda Civic, the soon to be launched Toyota Corolla Altis and the recently launched Volkswagen Jetta.

Cruze carries Chevrolet’s new design theme with two seperate grills upfront which make it look aggressive and give the car a confident stance, a virtue pronounced even more by the strong character line that runs across the length of the car. The  side profile looks more like a coupe with flowing roof and short stubby boot. There are some interesting styling touches like the “concave bend” that sits above the character line and sweep up meets the windows, the headlights that extend quite a bit up the bonnet and end up “pointing” towards the A-Pillar. The styling is edgy with well defined sharp creases just like a perfectly ironed trouser and is very likeable.

The car is expected to come to India late next year and given its combination of striking looks and the option of a powerful diesel engine, it looks like a winner already. We just hope GM prices it correctly.

Jump over for the Press Release and Gallery Pictures.

Source: GM & Autoblog

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.