2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Front Side
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze employs GM’s new front-wheel-drive Global Compact Vehicle Architecture, also known as “Delta 2.” That makes it a platform-mate of the Chevrolet Volt that is expected at the end of 2010. Cobalt and the outgoing Saturn Astra use the older “Delta 1″ architecture.
Sources expect the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze to maintain the Cobalt’s general size, but possibly with an inch or two added to wheelbase and maybe overall width. Engineering should be more weight-conscious in light of tough new U.S. fuel-economy mandates and pending new clean-air regulations in California and elsewhere. Look for greater use of lighter materials despite their higher cost, as weight is the enemy of fuel economy and a car’s carbon footprint, not to mention performance. Despite the pound-paring, structural rigidity is likely to improve, which should benefit durability, quietness, and perhaps ride and handling, too.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Interior Design
They’re here! The first official pics of the 2011 Chevy Cruze have been released by General Motors, and we’re not ashamed to say it – we like it. Of course, we’re comparing it to the current small car in GM’s lineup, the Cobalt, so the bar is pretty low. That said, GM’s new small car takes the split-grille motif made famous by the Malibu and makes it more interesting with sharp creases rather than rounded corners. The front end features headlights that extend up and “point” to the A-pillars, and a strong character line running the length of the vehicle sits below a concave bend that sweeps up to meet the windows.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Left Side
GM claims that fit and finish of the Cruze will be world class for a small car, and that its interior will use “grained surfaces, soft-touch materials and low gloss trim panels” to improve its perceived quality. Unfortunately, no shots of the interior were provided, but you can catch a glimpse in this rear 3/4 shot.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - With Family
The Cruze will be a global car, and as such it’s going on sale in Europe first. It will makes its global debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, where European customers will be the first to check it out in person before it goes on sale in March 2009 overseas. It will be available at launch with a 112-hp 1.6L engine, a 140-hp 1.8L and a 150-hp 2.0L turbodiesel. The North American version will likely get GM’s upcoming direct injected 1.4L four-cylinder. The Cruze will also offer a five-speed manual and GM’s first application of a six-speed automatic in a small car.
2011 Chevrolet Cruze - Rear Top
The all new 2011 Chevy Cruze has enough test miles on its tires to circle the Earth over 160 times. The Cruze made a lot of stops as it went around the globe, each one seemingly more punishing than the last. Chevy Cruze took on driving rain, mountains, deserts, potholes, mud, bad roads, cliffs, ice, snow, dry heat, humidity and more. After all that, it finally hit the test track and showed just how fun it was to drive. Even after 4,000,000 test miles, there’s much more of the Cruze story to tell. To keep current, sign up for email updates. We’ll keep you posted on every detail as soon as it becomes available. Cruze arrives in the third quarter of 2010.
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