Set to be officially unveiled at the New York International Auto Show on April 16, the updated Cruze saloon is Chevy's last hurrah before the debut of an all-new generation model, which will be launched in a couple of years time. Highlight new features include revised exterior styling, enhanced interior convenience and greater connectivity, including Text Message Alerts, Apple Siri integration and OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot.
Inspired by the all-new Impala and restyled Malibu, the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze gets a new front fascia with dual-port grille, revised front bumper and headlights design with LED daytime running lights on higher-spec LT and LTZ models. The rear is virtually the same as the outgoing model, the only significant change being the slightly redesigned swept-back taillights. Several new exterior and interior colors will also be offered on the 2015 model year Cruze.
Although no interior imagery has been made available, Chevrolet says the cabin received a fair bit of ehancements, such as revised switch gear, the relocation of the trunk release button and door lock switches, as well as improved cupholder design. However, the big news comes from the tech front.
A new seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system is now available and boy it is packed full of goodies like OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, next-gen OnStar and MyLink with voice recognition, an improved navigation system and Chevrolet's AppShop. In order to keep the driver's hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, the 2015 Cruze comes with Siri Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7, along with a feature that automatically reads incoming text messages.
“We’ve simply made a great, versatile car even better,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of passenger car and crossover marketing. “Chevrolet continues to design, build and sell the most compelling small cars in its history and the 2015 Cruze offers more of the features, connectivity and efficiency that are important to today’s customers.”
Unfortunately, no info has been given on the engine options front, so it looks like we'll get the same 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-pot with 138 horsepower and 125 ft-lb (169 Nm) of torque, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with the same 138 hp as the 1.8-liter NA unit, but with added torque (148 ft-lb/200 Nm) and 2.0-liter turbo diesel four-pot with 151 horsepower and 264 ft-lb (357 Nm) of torque, respectively.
More than 2.5 million Cruzes have been sold worldwide since the model's launch in 2010, making it Chevrolet's best-selling car. “Cruze remains a strong entry in the compact segment, with features that continue to bring new customers to Chevrolet,” also said Majoros. “Along with Spark, Spark EV, Sonic and Volt, Chevy’s lineup of efficient, technologically advanced small cars is one of the industry’s most compelling.”
The 2015 Chevrolet Cruze will come to a showroom near you starting this fall. At this year's New York Auto Show, Chevrolet will also unveil its most powerful convertible ever produced, the 2015 Corvette Z06 Convertible.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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“We’ve simply made a great, versatile car even better,” said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of passenger car and crossover marketing. “Chevrolet continues to design, build and sell the most compelling small cars in its history and the 2015 Cruze offers more of the features, connectivity and efficiency that are important to today’s customers.”
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