[amit]

If this is the new Optra then it looks BLOODY HOT!! Extremely nice interiors too. The interior shot, by the way, shows the Daewoo logo, doesn't it?

BUT, are we sure this is the new Optra. In North America, both the Cobalt and Optra are sold together. The article says it's going to replace the Cobalt. So where does that leave the Optra?

[Jayabusa]

Originally Posted by amit

If this is the new Optra then it looks BLOODY HOT!! Extremely nice interiors too. The interior shot, by the way, shows the Daewoo logo, doesn't it?

BUT, are we sure this is the new Optra. In North America, both the Cobalt and Optra are sold together. The article says it's going to replace the Cobalt. So where does that leave the Optra?

Why is the steering wheel sporting the Daewoo logo? Daewoo closed down long back, didn't it?

[AbhiJ]

There is an article in the August Autocar about the Cruze...

According to Autocar, chevy will be launching it at around 12-13 lacs directly against the civic.

The good news is, they predict it will get the Captiva's 150 HP CRDi engine!!

This is gonna be a one hot car if that is true!!

[karanraheja]

It looks a lot like Accord in the front and Civic from the rear. I heard this one will be more expensive than the present Optra. I guess it ll fill the gap between Civic E & V version.

[aaggoswami]

Originally Posted by amit

The interior shot, by the way, shows the Daewoo logo, doesn't it?

BUT, are we sure this is the new Optra. In North America, both the Cobalt and Optra are sold together. The article says it's going to replace the Cobalt. So where does that leave the Optra?

Originally Posted by Jayabusa

Why is the steering wheel sporting the Daewoo logo? Daewoo closed down long back, didn't it?

Daewoo is not closed down and the brand is still alive in some markets. This car mostly will be sold in South Korea as Daewoo Nubira and as Daewoo Lacetti in some other markets.

This is surely the new Optra, and its replacing Cobalt. This car might not be sold under the Suzuki brand. This car will be mostly coming to India under the Optra and chevrolet brand. The price is likely to be hiher than the current Optra. 2.0 ltr 150 bhp ( basically the same as the present diesel optra, but with VGT ) is also expected.

[amit]

The more I see this car, the more I like it. Very sharp design, looks young and sporty although the headlights are a bit like the SX4 and the rear like the BMW 3.

BUT, the interiors are lovely. Nice thick steering, lovely HVAC and other controls, nice curvy dash, the chrome ringed dials looks very upmarket and the short stubby gear lever also looks very sporty and stylish.

Only hope is that the instrumentation is nice and sporty. The dash resembles the Malibu's and I only hope the instrumentation isn't as lame as the one in the Malibu. Check out the Malibu interiors below:

[abhi1309]

Why is the steering wheel sporting the Daewoo logo? Daewoo closed down long back, didn't it?

Its a GM Daewoo (GMDAT) logo and not the daewoo one. GMDAT is not just alive and kicking, but the most profitable divisions in GM lineup.

[notjustshrawan]

Chevrolet Cruze spotted testing in China-
Spied- Chevy Cruze spotted in China | Indian Autos blog

The headlamps remind me of the Honda Accord. Is the diesel going to be a success atleast this time around?

[HotChillyPepper]

For me Steering wheel looks very similiar to SX4. I have seen Optras carry Suzuki badge in US. So do they start sharing components as well???

[Brosreview]

It has a rather obese / lazy stance. The interiors look quite promising though. I hope it is really a Chevvy. The previous Cruze was a Suzuki Ignis.

Besides, considering its' competition, the multi-award winning Focus and Civic will be hard to pass for the Cruze.

[aaggoswami]

Some Update:

Take close hard look at the bold new Chevrolet Cruze, the family sedan styled like a little muscle car. Take a look because Chevrolet plans to sell the Cruze in all the continents (presumably Greenland too?) following its near-future debut at the Paris Motor Show in October. From next spring when it goes on sale it will add to the increasing number of Chevy models in Europe, including the Camaro in both LHD and RHD guises. Cruze shows clear sharp lines, including the forward-sloping single kink of shoulder line running across from the rear to the front fender.
Its face is a show of power, strong and aggressive lines flowing down on the Chevrolet grille. This type of macho design we’ve seen strongest in the Chevrolet WTCC concept of 2006, then to a lesser but more street extent, in the not-so-identical twins Lumina SS/Commodore and Ute.
“Our goal with the design of the Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary,” chief designer Taewan Kim explains. “We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world.”
If looks could kill the Cruze would simply tickle you because its engine lineup reflects more a Joe Blog customer than a Joe Cocker personality. Three engines, 1.6-litre good for 112 PS, 1.8-litre 140PS, both petrol, and a 2.0-litre common rail diesel giving 150 PS will initially be given.
We hope the beginning of Cruze spells the end of Optra, which is a good all-rounder that’s ultimately not proven itself to be good enough.

Source:
Chevrolet Cruze - First Details

Images.

[madan80]

GM has announced that they are looking at investing close to $500 million for this brand / vehicle. of that $350 M will be to consolidate the production capacities and IIRC rest in promotional activities.
looks like they are pushing ahead with this- i do hope GM thinks that this will be their ticket to salvation!!!

[dude131]

The Autocar Uk website states"This is the Chevrolet Cruze, the firm's new small family saloon, which will make its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show in October.

The Cruze is the first in a long line of new Chevrolets that will include the Volt electric car, the new Camaro and a small city car based on the Beat concept. The Cruze will be built on Chevrolt's new Delta platform and will take the company in a new design direction with bolder styling cues.

The Cruze will go on sale worldwide in 2009, and will battle it out in the UK against the Ford Focus and Honda Civic. Three engines will be available at launch, producing between 110bhp and 148bhp."

Source: Autocar - Revealed: Chevrolet Cruze

[dhall_gagan]

This will surely put some serious competition to Civic, if one has to go by its interiors.... but as always.. GM will have to put a good price tag and should not try to pitch it against Accord.
As the article says... it will be available in mid 2009... with these interiors and such aggressive styling.. even when the Headlights could have been better types.... they will surely steal teh show if its priced at 12-14 lacs..

And looking at GM's good pricing strategies.... it will sure rock the stable...

[hrag]

Spotted two of these in camouflage this afternoon on the Whitefield Road, Bangalore. GJ 17 plates. They were headed towards Whitefield.