General Motors quietly introduced the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Cruze at the 2014 Beijing International Auto Show last evening. And even though we’re still not quite clear as to whether this model is a global car or one specifically designed for the Chinese market, we do know that the new compact delivers the first glimpse of Chevrolet’s next-generation design language.
Called “Design with a Heartbeat”, the styling direction was developed with a focus on efficiency. It was inspired by the Chevrolet Tru Concept that made its debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The new Cruze features coupe-like, flowing lines that support enhanced aerodynamics, according to GM. Meanwhile, the Cruze’s wheels are “pushed out to the corners of the car”, allowing for “shorter front and rear overhangs”, while the roofline stretches to the rear, making for a spacious interior — according to GM. Up front, a dual-mesh grille extends to the headlights to “create a more dynamic visual effect”, and chrome-plated trim stretches from the outside rearview mirrors to the rear seat windows, “conveying a rhythmic refinement.”
Are you a fan of the “Design with a Heartbeat” direction of the new Cruze? Talk to us in the comments.
[nggallery id=635]
Comments
I do like it. Let’s hope to god that a 6’3 person like me can sit in the backseat comfortably.
Only if you kink your head to the side. Look at that slopping roof line.
Impossible.
Front view of Ford and lateral view of Toyota
It’s a Fordyota¡¡
Regards from Spain
Don’t like the front end, might work for china, but hopefully it’s changed for North America.
The front end styling is very similar to the SS (with the main difference being the headlights). I like the styling on the SS. Not sure it’s a good thing that it’s carrying over to the Cruze.
Well take the photos of the prototype and this one and you will see the one testing here is the same body from what you can see. There will be few changes for the 2016 here.
The car is a bit of more than one Chevy. There is some TRU, Impala, SS and Malibu here.
The nose has the gill similar to the SS two openings, The Impala line is on the quarter panel. The Malibu like hood that is raised on the sides. and then they added bumps and lines to make up the rest.
My first impressing’s are it is not an exciting car but few in this class are, It is not an offensive car and many in this class are.
The fact is it is difficult to make a car in this size class look good, be usable and efficient all in one package. As you improve the looks you compromise space or ergonomics. If you get in on shape you can compromise the aero and MPG.
Also factor in smaller cars are harder to style as you just have so much less sheet metal to work with.
This car based on what I see here will do fine and will be improved in many ways over the present model since it is also on a new platform with updated engines.
If GM can price this right they can do well with this car.
I still would like to see the rear end.
Go to Carscoops website, they have a pretty good gallery of photos. I think the rear of this car is its best asset. Pun intended. The more I see of it the more I like it, just want to see something other than white and some finished interior pics is all.
A lot like a Hyundai or Honda or Kia.
And with the way the are selling that is not really a bad thing combined with the Cruze options and refinement.
The car is fine for the segment but a piss poor example of design language. Mazda has Kodo with its bold lines; Ford uses Kinetic for dramatic effect; Opel is sculpted, perfect proportions.
I worry about Chevy’s inability to produce a consistent line up & this car is yet another example. I keep waiting for something like Mazda3 to take my breath away.
Chevy should sell the Astra Series, and let Buick hang on Verano.
Looks like shit ….
http://blog.caranddriver.com/2016-chevrolet-cruze-spied-but-dont-get-too-excited-this-ones-for-china/
“Design with a Heartbeat” that needs to get to the Resus Dept double quick!
Ruess is part of the problem, in my view. He has been deeply involved with a number of failures.
I don’t hate this car. What I hate is that Chevy lacks a solid design language that can challenge the likes of Ford, Mazda, even Kia.
Each model sort of does its own thing. This Cruze borrows Impala’s rat fender crease in an effort at continuity.
I just assumed Impala would SRT the tone for future models. I see now that they want to keep Cruze homely so Verano/Excelle can shine-bad move.
I get when the design of special orders such as SS varies; this should never be the case with core product.
This makes me very sad.
First the Silverado’s new design. It wasn’t a major change, but it wasn’t all that great either. Even the Dodge Ram beat the Silverado. Second time that’s ever happened since The Big Bang.
The Camaro’s mid-cycle “refresh” is flat and unexciting. And man, are those tail lights ugly. The Mustang has been having an easy time outselling it since the change.
And now the next Cruze looks like this??
GM and Chevy: I love you guys. Always have, and I always will. But I’m very worried and saddened by your recent exterior design choices. This is ‘Merica, damn it! The way something looks is very important here! I think there is somebody inside Chevy that is trying to sabotage them, and they are succeeding!
Very true.
That amphibian-looking new model should never be called Cruze!
I personally love the looks of the new Silverado, the only reason ram has won truck trends truck of the year is the 3.0 diesel. besides that there is not much going for ram that I like. GM focused on simple and classy and that is what they got. It looks more manly than both dodge and even the new f150 in my opinion. the Silverado is only getting dissed because everyone’s talking about fords new aluminum body coming out.
the Camaro revamp was mostly driving dynamics. I am do wish that they would bring back the 90’s bullet nose design though.
I think this looks better than our refreshed Cruze
I like it. Note exactly original. Looks like the current Ford Focus (which is about to to look like the fusion). Would have preferred more of an impala front-end.
At least they shrunk the bow tie and floated on the grill.
So, form now on Chevys are gonna look exactly like fords? Greaaaat….
We can piss and moan all day they look like this or that but the reality is all the cars named here sell very well. Add to this the high level of options and refinement the Cruze already has it should do very well.
Now I would see problems if it came out like the Dart with only styling but offered little refinements and very much over weight for the class. The Dart has tanked right from the start as a nice car but at the bottom of the pack of a lot of better cars.
I will be interested in the weight of the D2XX. If they kill off a decent amount of weight here it will be killer in Eco mode or Diesel and that is what this segment is all about.
This car is targeted for the meat of the market and it will take a big bite as the present car has done well. If it improves on what they have now it will only win over more buyers.
I think Internet enthusiast often lose sight of the main mission of cars in this segment and that is to be affordable, Reliable, Refined and a good number of features for the money.
I dearly wish GM would lower its waistlines to provide a sleeker less bulky look. Its all about proportions. Not everyone is after the SUV wannabe look. The greater greenhouse effect will make the interior seem less claustrophobic, kids will be able to see out and less likely to get carsick.
I want a diesel Cruze, but if the new Cruze incorporates the 300hp 2.0… It could seriously change my thinking. I wouldn’t care what it looks like.
GM may be able to boost it to 175HP and 280FT-LBS, but I doubt they will. I also am hoping that a 1.5L eAssist ECO model will be coming to achieve 35 City and 55 Highway.
Looks like a ford. Side sculpting is too busy. It might sell but it is not original or chevy!
So, I guess most on here wanted the Cruze to look more like the VW Jetta instead of Focus ,Elantra, Dart or Civic ?????????
Design with a heartbeat? More like design in a heartbeat using bits from already-produced models! How about designing something that will work in more than one part of the world? That might work in America and China, but it won’t work in Europe (the second biggest market in the world), nor will it work here in Australia. How about just getting rid of these abominations and selling Opel models in their place? Take on a similar philosophy to the “One Ford” mantra. R&D costs would go down (just a little tweaking of suspension settings, etc. for different markets), and they would all be truly world cars. Also, offer similar trim levels in each market so other markets don’t feel so ripped off (this is what Ford is planning to do, and something that Hyundai, Kia, Toyota and many others have done for many years). There has also been speculation of GM introducing the Silverado to Australia again. This would work, provided the styling isn’t as ugly as past Silverados have been, is priced properly, as at the moment the cost to have one imported and converted is AU$120,000 for a mid-range model. Pricing would want to range from about AU$60,000 – $80,000 in order for them to sell ANY, and they’ll have to be engineered for right-hand-drive.
+1
The car is ok, but Chevy needs more than okay.
Why change design theme every year? Design with a heartbeat…silly name.
I’m a fan of Buick, GMC & Caddy but am disappointed by Chevy.
i love the current cruze. have a 14 LTZ with the RS package because chevy is to stupid to make an SS. ive been hoping next year they’d do one but if this “THING” in the pictures are what they plan on producing, count me out.
wake up GM
oh and i bet theyll do the same thing with the SS {Commodore} they did with the G8 GXP. they got it rite, put and stick shift in it. made like 5 of them and killed the line.