Chevrolet News:Spying: Hello Next-Generation Chevrolet Cruze

[William Maley]

We've seen the shots of the new Chevrolet Cruze wearing layers of camouflage, but some new shots out of China could give us our best look of what the automaker has in mind for the next-generation model.

Chinese automotive site, auto.sohu.com got their hands on what is reported to be a un-camouflaged next-generation Cruze sitting in a parking lot. Judging from the pictures, Chevrolet is making some dramatic changes. The front end looks to be borrowing some ideas from the SS with two distinctly separate grilles and a large Bowtie emblem. A set of narrowed headlights sit on either side. One other design cue to take note of is the arch in the rear wheel wells, something very reminiscent to the Impala. Inside looks to be a more upscale interior with a new steering wheel and larger screen for the infotainment system.

auto.sohu.com says the Cruze will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April. We'll keep you updated.

Source: auto.sohu.com

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Z-06]

Hullo Hyundai Elantra.

[Cory Wolfe]

I can only hope that is not a U.S. spec bumper. The grill arrangement looks to be more of an afterthought than the updated Malibu's grill. It's pretty clear to me the intention was to stick with the split grill, a la Sonic, and they made a last minute change. Either that, or the designers are f**king blind.

I think the following picture (Via Jalopnik) perfectly sums up the lack of design.

[Drew Dowdell]

I agree with the above blandness although I think it looks more SS than Malibu.

I was hoping for more of a mini-Impala look.

[smk4565]

Reminds me a lot of a Hyundai and the big lower grill is a lot like what Ford uses. I don't get these huge lower grille opening, they look ugly. It has some Dart in it too as shown by the picture. Chevy seems to have no design language, and the cars are looking more and more Asian too. The interior looks improved, but the outside is so bland no one will notice what this car even is.

[G. David Felt]

H'mmm NOT a fan of the Big Mouth Billy Bass Look.

FAILURE in my Book!

[Drew Dowdell]

BREAKING! PICTURE OF THE 2016 CHEVY EQUINOXX!!!!

[regfootball]

I agree with the above blandness although I think it looks more SS than Malibu.

I was hoping for more of a mini-Impala look.

you didn't see the rear fender kick line like on the Impala?

[regfootball]

front end is a little Darty. Or Focus.

Rear pillar and hofmeister kick remind me of Civic.

Past photos looked a bit Kia Forte.

Hopefully the North American front end is a bit different. I think the look is such that it will still sell, but I do think it loses some distinctiveness and signature GM look. Cruze shape is pretty iconic at this time and this is not quite as signature.

I think to me the functional upgrades of this car will matter some too. I.e. larger backseat etc. I see the dash does not move into the doors on this one like it does on the current one, otherwise the dash at least seems as interesting and continues a common theme. Any way you cut it, far more interesting than say, current Jetta.

Keep in mind across the globe this car has to have appeal in many Asian countries and I think they are trying to water down any American look and give it more of a Japan / Korea look. Not a good thing for this market but overall for GM these days maybe their preferred approach.

I think anyone who likes the current one should jump on one now and not wait for the new one if the looks if this pan out.

[regfootball]

BREAKING! PICTURE OF THE 2016 CHEVY EQUINOXX!!!!

Awesome hammer on the head LOL, you missed the rear fender sweep line though

[Drew Dowdell]

That is 110% of my Photoshop skillz right there

[ocnblu]

I am guessing that is our version. Front end resembles the Tru140 concept, rear half is mini Impala.

[daves87rs]

Baby Malibu....UGH!

[Drew Dowdell]

Does that mean the other concept is the camaro?

[regfootball]

That is 110% of my Photoshop skillz right there

109%more than me

[ZL-1]

AH-HA posted on that other forum that this is a China-only SWB D2XX... thank God for that! I like the interior, though...

[G. David Felt]

Can anyone explain the trend of going to the Large Mouth Billy Bass grill? Is this due to the amount of air needed for these overworked little turbo motors?

[Guest Anon]

In the case of the Escape, and many other vehicles these days, a lot of what appears to be grill opening is just black plastic that doesn't open to anything. If you look at the grill on today's Cruze up close, much of it doesn't even open to the radiator. It's strictly a styling trend. A rather bad horrible one, IMO.