Jump to content

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

April 23, 2013

At first glance, you might be thinking these spy shots are for a refreshed Chevrolet Sonic sedan because of the distinctive front end. You be incorrect as Automobile Magazine says this is the new 2015 Cruze.

The Cruze mule caught in these spy shots clearly show the Sonic influences tapered nose, descending hood, narrow headlights, and dual grille surround. The windshield looks be swept back and the roofline has a coupelike styling. In the back, the trunklid gains an integrated spoiler and a set of new taillights.

The new Cruze will utilize an updated version of the Delta platform. Its not quite sure what will happen under the hood, but there is a chance that a new nine-speed automatic transmission could be installed.

Source: Automobile Magazine

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

ocnblu

Members

Weird paint job.

I'm thinking the baby Impala rumor was false at this point. Was hoping, because the Impala is a knockout.

Maybe it is too early to worry.

So on first glance it clearly is a jelly bean blob and weird paint job, but then that is probably what they want to hide it's true style till it comes out next year as a 2015 model. You can see when looking at the big pictures that they have given some attitude to the front end with the headlights and hood so I am thinking while it will be a jelly bean shape over all, it will have more defined lines than most people expect.

What is weird is that little tail pipe sticking so far out and then flared. Weird.

ocnblu

Members

Probably for ease of insertion.

Of testing equipment, for emissions and so forth. I guess.

daves87rs

Members

It's going to be a giant sonic from the front, and elantra from the back....

Wonderful......

hyperv6

Members

To early to panic as normal. The last one looked like a Jelly Bean in Camo too. So did the ATS etc.

You also have to accept the fact this is a smaller car and you just can not do things stylistically like they did on the Impala due to size. The smaller the canvas the smaller are you have to be creative but remain functional.

Hyperv6 while the canvas might be smaller it does not mean the style cannot be just as big as life. I think some folks take the easy way out and blame it on the smaller canvas rather than figuring out how to do more with less. I believe you can be creative and through the use of certain body lines and paint styles make a small car like this look very sharp. It just takes some time to properly work out the details on this small canvas.

regfootball

Members

the current cruze has loads of definition, it's not a melted blob like the elantra and newest forte.

Looks like they are going to the melted blob look. I am sure its for that one extra mpg of highway rating. Part of the reason corolla sells is its a little more upright.

hyperv6

Members

Hyperv6 while the canvas might be smaller it does not mean the style cannot be just as big as life. I think some folks take the easy way out and blame it on the smaller canvas rather than figuring out how to do more with less. I believe you can be creative and through the use of certain body lines and paint styles make a small car like this look very sharp. It just takes some time to properly work out the details on this small canvas.

It is not impossible but it is still very difficult and very few cars can pull it off. In the end it is still easier to style a larger car with less restrictions. The little 3 door Opel Astra is one of the few small cars that pull it off.

Once you cram all that you need into a smaller package and have to design around it that is where it becomes a real challenge to cover with less option to stretch the sheet metal.

This car should be fine but it will never be an Impala.

agreed Hyperv6 it will never be an Impala and I agree with you on the 3 door Astra, very sexy little car. I think they can use paint jobs to create some impressive visual looks even though it is on a more blob like design.

Robert Hall

Premium Subscriber
(edited)

Since the Cruze is an international model, I'd expect similar styling cues to the Spark, Sonic and Malibu....remember the Impala is NA only and thus goes it's own way styling wise...

Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar

regfootball

Members

got a ride in my friend's new cruze today. an import owner who went chevy. loves the car, got it for all the reasons the focus is not, loves the look. the cruze is unmistakable. it has definition. i think chevy needs to keep the current body in production as long as possible. a refresh of the front and some interior bits would be far better than bringing in this new genericar sooner.

dwightlooi

Members

The Impala grille is ugly and cluttered, the Cruze / Malibu grille looks much better. The 1.4T engine is a ho-hum waste of time though... the money they spent on the turbo and intercooler is better spent on an aluminum block and direct injectors. An NA version of the 2.0T (LTG) in the ATS will serve the Cruze better as an upgrade engine over the 1.8. It'll make about 160 hp and 150 lb-ft, and mileage won't be any worse than the 1.4T's 26/38 mpg.

regfootball

Members

I'd bet chevy will keep the 1.4t in production now that they have made so many, the more they make, it just gets cheaper.

But that 2.0 would be a nice motor and i think a 1.6t would probably be a better all around performer than the 1.4.

Chevy needs a real Eco automatic. Somehow a tranny that can spread the ratios really wide (CVT?) and a super sipper motor would make a gas Eco automatic a real fuel miser.

Weird paint job.

I'm thinking the baby Impala rumor was false at this point. Was hoping, because the Impala is a knockout.

Maybe it is too early to worry.

You're thinking Malibu that will be "baby Impala"

hyperv6

Members

Yes the Malibu will take on a mini Impala persona soon.

Also check out the Car and Driver story on the new Volt. Not sure if they based their story fact or wishful thinking but it looks like the spawn of a Impala and ELR. It looks pretty nice and less scientific.

daves87rs

Members

Still hoping for a simple refresh....

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Add a comment...