Chevrolet Cruze

Here is the first official look at the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, which will both replace the Cobalt compact car in the U.S. and become the company's new global offering in the volume C-segment.

This all-new sedan offers us the first look at the next generation of GM’s Global Compact Vehicle Architecture (Delta 2). In addition to the Cobalt, it replaces the Daewoo-built Chevy Lacetti/Nubira in Europe.

Visitors to the 2008 Paris auto show in October will see for themselves the concept version of this sedan that will eventually be joined by the replacement for the Pontiac G5, as well. And we fully expect hatchback versions in North America down the road, as GM plans to make the bodystyle for Europe.

The five-passenger sedan is 180 inches long, and slots between the subcompact Chevrolet Aveo and the mid-size Chevy Malibu in the lineup. GM says it will be wider and longer than most of its competitors.

The Cruze will be powered by GM’s new family of direct-injection four-cylinder engines, likely ranging in displacement to 2.0 liters, and we expect some to be turbocharged. They should be good for about 40 mpg, or better.

The European lineup of powertrains includes 112-hp, 1.6-liter and 140-hp, 1.8-liter gasoline engines as well as a new 150-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel. Five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions will be offered.

The rollout begins in Europe, where the Cruze will begin production early in 2009 for sale in the spring as a 2010 model. North America must wait until a 2010 start of production at the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that makes the Cobalt and G5. GM will spend $350 million to consolidate two body shops into one and retool the plant for the new models, part of the $500 million total investment to build the new car. Plant capacity will remain unchanged at about 330,000 units annually.

The current Cobalt will continue to be offered, likely through June 2010, with the 2011 Cruze built alongside it until the Cobalt is phased out.

The Cruze was engineered at GM’s Russelsheim, Germany, development center, and was designed in Korea by GM Daewoo. The car will be assembled in plants around the world, including the U.S., Mexico, various parts of Europe, South Korea, and Brazil.

La fel ca la Aveo hatchback, sigla din fata se potriveste ca nuca'n perete. Cred ca ar fi aratat mai bine daca montau sigla pe grila radiatorului.

urata. si din fata si din spate. pusese careva pe aici niste teasare care aratau bestial, fata de.. ce a iesit ca model de serie.