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.
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"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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