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U.S. Spec 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Caught Completely Uncovered

Spy photographers have nabbed the incoming 2016 Chevrolet Cruze in the buff, giving us a good, long look at what we expect to see on the U.S.-bound vehicle, which looks nothing like the Chinese model

The Cruze has adopted the new Chevrolet grin upfront and its new, redesigned front fascia immediately smacks of 2016 Malibu, with a light peppering of 2016 Volt for good measure.

The big, wide front lights have been ditched for thinner, more angular lenses that now nudge up right beside a thin, upper grill, which now houses the bowtie badge– just like the incoming Volt.

A new, sweeping beltline helps give the new Cruze a strong, muscular profile while a new rear fascia–with a well-pronounced curve around the trunk–helps breathes new life into what was once one of its least appealing angles. And it all has the slightest hint of Corvette Stingray. Though, we see more 2016 Chevrolet Volt in its shape than anything else.

Similarly, the rear lights have been ditched in favour of much smaller units that look eerily similar to the lenses found on the current Ford Fiesta sedan.

As for mechanicals, the 2016 Cruze will debut the new D2xx global platform as well as a new line of new Ecotec engines, chief among them a new 1.5L producing about 113hp and 108lb-ft of torque. The new Cruze will be significantly lighter than the outgoing model too, thanks to D2xx.

Gear changes will be handled by a new, seven-speed dual-clutch (automated-manual) transmission (DCT), one of few in its class to offer the extra notch.

We also wouldn’t be too surprised to see a hatchback version (to go head to head with the Ford Focus and Mazda 3) and its also likely that Chevrolet will pull a diesel version off the shelf once the steam drifts off the introductory models.

While the Cruze was originally slated to go on sale in 2014, we expect the new version to arrive later this year as a 2016 model, or maybe early next year at NAIAS 2016. Either way, we know it’ll roll out of Lordstown, Ohio.

Though there still could be a few changes in the works before the real deal hits the production lines, we’re glad Chevrolet took the scalpel to the Cruze. It’s a great look that’s sure to entice a few more first time buyers.

Check out the Cruze spyshots here and then pop on back and let us know: hit or miss?

A far-too-tall Ontarian who likes to focus on the business end of the auto industry, in part because he's too tall to safely swap cogs in a Corvette Stingray.

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Comments

  1. So, after viewing all of those pictures I have to say that I prefer the Chinese spec model. The front and rear bumpers of the US spec are overly fussy, and I hate the revised greenhouse. Front quarter windows are stupid (why don’t the Chinese have to suffer with them?) and the shape of the rear door is less interesting. I hate when they have to put the little black thing behind the rear door, just cut off the chrome and return it down the edge of the actual door and leave the entire rear quarter in body color.

    The one thing that I do dislike about the Chinese spec model -the odd shaped chrome trim under the tail lights- thankfully isn’t present though.

    I hope that they don’t mess with with the interior design.

    Reply
  2. An amazing looking car and much more upscale than the Chinese version, which it should be.

    The big news will also be the interior, which they have kept closely guarded.

    Definitely class-leading in every way… Great job, Chevy!

    Reply
  3. I was worried when I saw the Chinese car and had hopes they were not going to be the same.

    Then when the ad came out with the 5 shadow cars I could see the nose was very much like the Volt only with a real grill. I think if you compare the Volt and Cruze share a lot more styling where they can. the Volt still has to use a little more aero to get the range but there is a lot of similar traits.

    Note the RS in the grill.

    I do like the blue they used here it makes the car look very upscale.

    The only area that I not keen on is the hood to fender area. It looks a bit odd but it could just be the angle of the photo. The hood just looks too tall in profile. Nothing fatal but just stands out to me.

    This car should do well. I wonder how much weight loss here. The Volt lost 200 pounds. This one should be sub 3000 pounds.

    Reply
  4. It looks good, but, it looks kind of Japanese. Not like the current Cruze, which I feel has a more classic type of look which should age better than this new model. Don’t get me wrong, this looks very modern, but personally, I prefer the look of the current generation model.

    Reply
  5. It sure looks like a Honda Civic to me. I prefer the old style. Especially with the rs package

    Reply
  6. It looks very good, how ever really wish they would consider putting a performance engine as an option to catch the sport compact market like Honda has done with the Civic SI. Miss the days where they had the SS series Cobalt/HHR with the powerful engines. That’s my two cents in. Hope GM catches on they are missing the market for the younger performance generation.

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    1. I hope that they make a hot looking coupe to go with it and I hope that the hatch makes it too (and is priced right). Market share expectations with only one body style is limited

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    2. I don’t think the si is very impressive but if they twin turbo the new 1.5 or even better put the i4 from 2016 camaro in it I would be first in line to order one

      Reply
  7. Now, when dealers steer consumers who’ve come in to see the Volt over to the Cruze,
    at least now they look very similar, down to the color choices, it seems.

    At this point, the Volt looks a whole lot like a Cruze Coupe, even though Volt has four doors.

    For me, the big question is – will a hybrid version be offered, and is that the next big
    news? It appears GM has leveraged the 2nd-gen Volt technology to become it’s
    fuel-saving, MPG mandate-meeting strategy moving forward ( see Malibu hybrid ). With
    Cruze being GM’s best-selling sedan, it only makes sense that a hybrid version be part
    of the rollout. The diesel Cruze was less than a success in the N. American market.

    Kudos to the seven speed, dual clutch auto. What will be interesting to me is if
    this very nice looking compact sedan will kill the Volt for good.

    Reply
  8. I like the look. I wasn’t a fan of the Chinese one’s belt/cut lines. The belt line ran just below the window from the front fender back, then faded into the upwards cutline that the Impala and Lacrosse have. It just doesn’t look right on a small car. This one has the sportier look front end with the bulging front fender look with the dropping cut line (similar to Mazda) plus the belt cut line is nicer running from the front door to the rear.

    I did like the Chinese hood and creases better (similar to Fusion hood) which gave it a sporty look as compared to this broad rounded hook. But overall l like the look of this front end better.

    With hp and torque rating listed in this article, that better be a 1.5L natural with a turbo (same as Malibu) coming as an option. Even if the car is 300 lbs lighter, the torque is significantly lower. Perhaps the first couple gears in the 7-speed are very low for grunt to make up for it.

    Reply
  9. I like it. I’m glad it didn’t show up looking like some of the spy shots like those from KBB and the Chinese version from CarNewsChina. Too bad we didn’t get some inside pictures too. I’m surprised this went out so finished looking, maybe they’re bumping the schedule up or something.

    Reply
    1. We just ordered our first ones. No pricing yet so had to order them blind but they will be coming early.

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      1. I was reading somewhere else that this was caught off guard while out for a photo shoot thus the plates on it that all the brochure photos have.

        Reply
  10. Sure do hope they offer hot hatch. As good as this one looks, it has the potential. Honda is ramping up the H.O. civic and Ford with Focus RS and ST so Chevy better keep up the momentum. Just don’t give me an excuse of it will canabalize camaro sales

    Reply
  11. Overall like ,for the most part, but have to say I wished they kept more of the current generations brawnier styling.
    The new version looks like so many other subcompact such as the Elantra,Civic, Focus,etc.
    It will be lost in the crowd a little bit I think.

    Liking the DCT (hopefully they addressed the harshness issue that plagues that design ) and can’t wait for the numbers on the 1.5T engine.

    Reply
  12. Beautiful, reminds me of both Volt and Verano. The Chinese Cruze would have failed as it looks bargain and obtuse at that.
    GM is using three unique C segment autos globally while Ford only needs one Focus to service the world.
    It’s rather inefficient to have Buick compete with Ford in China. Use Opel in Europe and then maintain a uniquely upscale Chevrolet for North America for value competition.

    Reply
  13. Personally, the Cruze was not my kind of car; but I have to say that the outgoing model looked better, in my opinion. In a field of cars that are often overwrought in their exterior design, the Cruze was reassuringly simple and solid-looking–handsome, some said. I guess the 2015 refresh with its busy detailing hinted at things to come.

    The new car really does seem to take cues from the Honda–from the profile of the greenhouse to the detailing on the bumpers. If anything, at least it’s a more dynamic design than the original but it has yet to grow on me.

    Anyway, that torquey 1.4 turbo piques my interest!

    Reply

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