The next-generation Chevrolet Cruze with a planned unveiling at the Beijing International Auto Show this year has showed up precipitately in the virtual world. A Chinese publication – auto.sohu.com (via Carnewschina.com) has managed to get its hands on a few photograph of the 2015 Cruze at the factory parking lot in Shanghai, China.
GM has a joint venture with the domestic SAIC Motor and the partnership manufactures and sells Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brand automobiles in mainland China.
The 2015 version of Chevy Cruze looks a lot mellowed down compared to the current model which is on sale. The current Cruze has not really started sprouting gray hair so Chevy has decided to let the customers have the current model of the Cruze as well as the upcoming Cruze selling side by side.
When the next generation Cruze goes on sale in China during the second half of 2014, the current version of the Cruze will be badged as ‘Cruze Classic’ and positioned as a budget alternative to the new Cruze. This will please people who, like me, think that the current Cruze, at least outwardly, looks better than the upcoming version of the sedan.
As mentioned earlier, the new Cruze looks blasé; less aggressive. The grille looks like it has been borrowed from Ford Mondeo, which itself has been accused of smooching it out of Aston Martin!
At the first casual glance, the new Chevrolet Cruze looks more of a Hyundai with its fludic theme. Upon a second more affirmed look, the first impressions gets affirmed. This could easily be a Hyundai car, all it needed was the moniker change! It has lost its masculinity and appears to be a more sober car, which, frankly speaking, we do not want Cruze to look like!
The 2015 Cruze gets a bit of bling in the form daylight-running lights above the new design fog lamps and the headlights apparently are projector type. The sides and the rear also get a major redesign and chrome highlights.
The interior of the photographed Cruze displays black and tan contrast theme and, of course, more chrome highlights. Apparently, the Chinese like their chrome.
The power options will be the new 1.5 with an output of 112 bhp and 146 Nm with a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic and the new juicy 1.4 turbo with 148 bhp and 235 Nm mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG.
The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze is expected to be launched in China during the second half of 2014 with prices starting at 120,000 yuan (about INR 11.62 lakhs).
Related Reading: Chevrolet Unveils ADRA SUV Concept: Pics & Details
It looks more of Ford Now,Especially Front Grill & Headlamps 🙂