Chevrolet Cruze (2011) US reveal

The US Spec Chevy Cruze has been revealed ahead of its launch at the LA Auto Show

It’s the LA Auto Show this week, and one of the debuts is – somewhat bizarrely – the launch of the 2010 / 2011 Chevy Cruze. Is that an all new Chevy Cruze they’re launching, I hear you ask? No, it’s the Chevy Cruze revealed in the UK back in the Spring and even earlier in other markets.

So it seems weird that it’s only just showing up on its home soil – admittedly with a few changes to the Euro model – and won’t even be for sale in the US until next Summer. Hence calling it a 2010/2011 model (the US model years are so confusing we even considered calling it the 2012 model as it will be the back end of 2010 before it goes on sale in the US. But we decided that was just a year too far).

The Chevy Cruse has the same roots as the Chevy Volt, that ‘Vapourware’ company-saving hybrid that still has to make a real world appearance of any significance. The Cruze on the other hand will be powered by a range of conventional engines including a 1.4 litre turbo (a 1.4 litre Chevy – on sale in the US. Wow.) and a normally aspirated 1.8 litre. You also get the option of a six-speed manual or auto ‘box.

Actually, the Cruze is really a European-style car in design and dynamics and promises to be strong competition to the Ford Focus, which will find its way in to the US market before long. A real step forward for small domestic cars in the US, it should sell well.

And if you’re desperate to compare what the US spec Cruze offers check out the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Press Release.

By Cars UK