Last November, GM debuted the all-new Chevrolet Monza during the 2018 Guangzhou International Auto Show in China. The automaker provided very little information about the new vehicle at the time of its announcement. But now, GM Authority has uncovered several important details about the new compact sedan that further diversifies Chevy’s vast lineup of cars in the world’s largest automotive market.
The Platform
At first, we believed that the 2019 Chevrolet Monza rides on the new GM VSS-F platform/vehicle set. As it turns out, the Monza is actually based on the GM-PATAC K platform – a simplified variant of GM’s global D2 platform.
The GM-PATAC K architecture was initially released in 2015, and underpins various other models designed by the SAIC-GM joint venture, including:
- Chevrolet Cavalier, which was initially introduced in China as the Cruze in 2016
- Buick GL6Â MPV
- Third-generation Buick Excelle family (Excelle GT and Excelle GX)
In fact, the new Monza is basically the Chevrolet version of the current Buick Excelle GT, as both models share the same 103.9-inch-long wheelbase and the same greenhouse design.
Size And Positioning
The new Chevrolet Monza sedan measures 181.6 inches in length, 70.8 inches in width and 58.5 inches in height. These dimensions place it directly in the C segment with other compact vehicles. In China, however, it is considered a medium-sized sedan, since the segmentation in that market skews one size segment lower.
Cavalier | Monza | Cruze | |
---|---|---|---|
Length (in / mm): | 178.9 / 4544 | 181.6 / 4614 | 183.7 / 4666 |
Width (in / mm): | 70 / 1779 | 70.8 / 1798 | 70.7 / 1795 |
High (in / mm): | 57.7 / 1467 | 58.5 / 1485 | 57.4 / 1458 |
Wheelbase (in / mm): | 102.4 / 2600 | 103.9 / 2640 | 106.3 / 2700 |
And this leads us to determine the positioning of the new Monza within the Chevrolet range. Based on exterior dimensions, it is rather clear to see that the Monza is being positioned between the Cavalier and the Cruze, both of which are also compact sedans. The first iteration of the second-generation, China-only Cruze occupied this space before it was renamed to Cavalier, and repositioned further downmarket when the global, second-gen Chevrolet Cruze launched in China.
Powertrain
On a mechanical level, the 2019 Chevrolet Monza will be offered with two new turbocharged, three-cylinder engines. The base engine displaces 1.0 liters and makes an estimated 125 horsepower, while the optional up-level engine displaces 1.3 liters and generates an estimated 163 horsepower. In fact, this is probably the very same L3T unit introduced by the South Korean-market 2019 Chevy Malibu.
Two six-speed transmission choices are on tap: a manual and an automatic. It is expected that the 1.3L Turbo engine will only be capable of being paired to the automatic gearbox.
Availability
The new Chevrolet Monza will go on sale during the first half of 2019 in China in Base, Redline and RS trim levels. GM has yet to share photos of the interior or prices. It is unlikely that it will be available in markets outside of China.
Stay tuned to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Chevrolet news and Monza news.
Comments
I like how this car is styled vs. the Cruze. Seems more sporty and less frumpy.
I agree. This is what the second gen Cruze should have looked like instead of the korean hyundai looking car we got. The Monza looks like a sportier sleeker 1st gen Cruze which was perfect. It was more German looking, like a mini BMW. Sales wouldn’t have tanked IMO had we got this instead. This is a proper 2nd gen Cruze.
Chevrolet should introduce this beauty to the US! That’s a beautiful and very sexy sedan. The sculpting of it, details of the headlights, and tail lamps are amazing!
brings back memories of the awesome Monza Spyder 2+2! Would be cool to see a throwback coupe in Spyder livery…with the 350 hemi once again shoehorned in heh ??
This car captures the essence of the first generation Cruze while being less frumpy, more athletic and it looks as if Opel had a hand in exterior design even though that’s impossible. This car could easily sell in the US and I hope it’s Federalized in case of an energy supply crisis.
Chevrolet has finally learned good design. This car wears the new corporate face well and the head lamps are fantastic. Chevy is still viewed as a bad credit low income brand in America but sharp design like this helps to transform brand image.
I wish GM would make RS it’s base trim and flip the bow tie to black because this looks more stylish and gaudy gold went out of style a long time ago.
I hope all this B S about G M and Ford getting rid of cars comes around and bites them in the ass someday!
I don’t care…no 2.0 turbo power plant option.
Keep it over seas until GM wants to sell an adult version.
One of the reasons the Cruze is not competitive IMO… Latest Ford ST is the only Big 3 challenging the import world.
I have a place for a 2.0 turbo Cruze hatchback with 19″ wheels, nice sounding exhaust, and six speed AT or 6 manual. Or a hybrid sporting 290 HP 325 ft lbs
I guess I will have to keep dreaming. Dam those imports and Ford for capturing this segment…
Yes, everyone says exactly that, but then wants to pay $25k for it. That’s how GM got their famous crappy interiors and bankrupt the first time around.
Focus and Fiesta ST RS didn’t sell in big numbers and the Golf GTI is a footnote.
This is from someone like you who would also love to buy a 2.0 Cruze, but has accepted it just isn’t going to happen.
GM needs to bring back a a sporty looking sedan such as the Chevy Monte Carlo or Pontiac ? Grand Prix. They have left out an entire segment of people who love these types of cars. Not everyone wants a Camaro.
It looks worlds better than the Cruze. Ours should have looked this good instead of a wanna-be Elantra/Civic-y thing. Bring this to the USA instead when they dump the Cruze.
not everybody can get into a Camaro –not everybody wants a suv . Monte Carlo – Grand Prix & Cutlass Supreme ( BEST SELLING MODEL in the 80’s ) these models will attract younger buyers that demented MARY and her cronies don’t make available to that market. SO GM ‘ no younger buyers ,, no sedan buyers,, no small car buyers ,, all I can see is you are pushing customers away ( GOOD JOB ) as for the Monza–good looking and sexy –build it in the USA
“Monte Carlo – Grand Prix & Cutlass Supreme ( BEST SELLING MODEL in the 80’s ) these models will attract younger buyers”
Not everyone wants a sedan either. In fact, I think you’ll find more younger people want CUV’s instead of sedans, or even cars from the long-dead personal luxury coupe segment.
Basing your rationale on young buyer tastes by assuming that it hasn’t changed in 30 years is a fatal mistake.
Saying that Monte Carlo or anything Pontiac would attract youth is a joke. These yesterday cars turned off youth and attracted the trailer park demo.
Sedans are far from dead but GM seems incapable of producing a sales winner. I even think a reimagined personal lux couple could be viable provided a large enough wheel base and easy entry/exit if it wore the right design.
Looks good. I wish they’d make an AWD hatch version.
Definitely a more rationally-sized compact, hopefully better interior specs than the Cruze. Looks like a last-gen Ford Focus, while no bad thing, it doesn’t look like a Chevy. CS, LS, RS, LT, Premier, and Z02 2.0 Turbo trims (naturally-aspirated 2.0/2.5 ECOTEC for the others), manual or automatic, PGW Glass, U.S.A. build, coupe, wagon, hatchback sedan, hatchback sports coupe, and that would be a winning compact line!
I just picked up a 2019 Regal GS.
Problem solved.
although it may seem funny not all younger buyers are flocking into cuv s . in my area younger drivers are in Nissan sedan , Toyota sedan, Subaru sedan , Oldsmobile Alero sedan Camaro Pontiac Grand Prix sedan . out of these 7 cars I don’t see any cuvs . not all people want suv s
I wish they would offer it in America as a 10k car option, a first car kind od deal
Agreed! FCA, a niche automaker with limited capital and capacity, was the first Detroit firm to drop sedans and even though I loved 200 & Dart it was an understable move for America’s smallest brand.
GM is America’s largest seller. A competitive Cruze could have command healthy market share. Unfortunately Cruze was inferior TO Civic and other imports and sales plunged.
The US buys a lot of sedans and the Japanese shouldn’t sell the only option. GM supporting 4 brands with only CUVs and trucks will fail leaving Buick as the first casualty due to sharing showrooms with GMC which has failed to become a Jeep/Hummer inspired niche brand.
I am quickly loosing interest in GM and looking at FCA, Honda and Mazda.
This car is different than the Chevrolet Cruze in the US market in that it doesn’t try to be a clone of some Japanese car and more original; one wonder how this car would sell if introduced to the US market as a Cruze replacement.
Looks like I’m all alone in my opinion, keep it in china, I’d never buy it, to many quality cars not made in China to buy. If it’s like all the rest of Made In China crap is it’ll fall apart in three months, AND the price will be just as high as a quality car from Japan or S.Korea.
I get that niche models like GM sedans warrent only one assembly line and that since they are popular in China then this is where they will be made.
LaCrosse, CT6, Impala and even Cruze child have been easy and economical pre-Trump imports. I’m very pro union, Would like to see union membership imposed on all plants and be made part of all free agreements. In the meantime GM is a global company that should be able to utilize every plant. My hope is that China will soon allow WTO tariffs to cover the auto sector.
you are not the only one a China built car will not be in our driveway . DEMENTED MARY is making GM the most hated company in America. what country will support GM if it needs a bailout ,,China –I don’t think so . Mary read these comments you may learn something…
I’ve not seen a Chevy I’ve liked this much since I first saw a Beretta. That’s been awhile. I’d most definitely buy one of these but we are demograted to these stupid crossovers. The Chinese Cavalier looks good too. They keep taking our cars away. Not everyone wants a truck or SUV. I went out to buy a new Cruze RS, dealer didn’t have any but did locate one. They would not get it in as it wasn’t a money maker, so I called the dealership who had the car and bought it directly from them. They even shipped car to me at no cost as I reached out to buy from them.