Chevrolet Cruze (2009): first pictures

By Ben Whitworth

First Official Pictures

21 August 2008 17:08

This is the new Chevrolet Cruze, the compact four-door saloon that that arrives early next year to try and steal some sales from the Focus, Astra and Golf. Due to officially bow in at the Paris motor show next month, the Cruze signposts Chevrolet’s distinctive new design style, and its pronounced split grille is expected to be a key visual feature on new Beat, Volt and Camaro models.

Hmm. That’s an oddball model line-up…

Isn’t it just – a muscle car, a plug-in hybrid, a city car and a small saloon. Pitched as a ‘global car’ – with all the negative connotations that go with such a title – the Cruze sits on Chevrolet’s new Delta platform architecture and will be sold in America, Europe, and Asia. In Europe, lucky Cruze buyers will have the choice of a 112bhp 1.6 and 140bhp 1.8 petrol powerplants, but the 150bhp 2.0 turbodiesel is expected to account for most of the sales. Prices should start around the £10,500 mark for the 1.6 model.

Inside, the car features a novel ‘twin-cockpit’ design that uses a raised central console to split the driving and passenger areas, they say. 'Our goal with the design of the Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary,' said Cruze chief designer Taewan Kim. 'We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world.'

Click 'Next' below to read more about the new Chevrolet Cruze

By Ben Whitworth