2015 Chevrolet Cruze Gets A New Nose: Comments

[William Maley]

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Chevrolet has revealed their second New York Auto Show showing last night and it happens to be the 2015 Cruze. Now for those who were expecting the automaker to launch the next-generation model will be disappointed as the 2015 model is a refresh. The new model isn't expected for a little longer.

Changes for the 2015 model begin with a larger front grille and reshaped taillights. LT and LTZ models get LED running lights mounted below the headlights.

Inside is where the big changes are. The Cruze's infotainment system now can read text messages to the driver, has Apple's Siri Eyes Free voice controls if you have an iPhone, and a 4G LTE connection that allows the vehicle to act as a wi-fi hotspot.

No mechanical changes have been announced.

Pricing and other details will be announced at a later time.

Update: I've added a couple shots from the NYIAS floor.

Source: Chevrolet

Press Release is on Page 2

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Styling, OnStar 4G LTE, Siri Updates for 2015 Chevy Cruze

Chevy's best-selling car is smarter looking, offers greater connectivity

NEW YORK Chevrolet announced today the 2015 Cruze will debut at the New York International Auto Show with revised exterior styling, enhanced interior convenience and greater connectivity including new Text Message Alerts, Apple Siri integration and OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot.

The new exterior styling cues are inspired by the all-new Impala and restyled 2014 Malibu, while more intuitive controls update the interior. New voice-controlled features enhance safety when responding to text messages in the vehicle.

"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."

The Cruze's facelift for 2015 refreshes the appearance for LS, LT, RS and LTZ models. A prominent dual-port front fascia takes styling cues from Impala and Malibu, contributing a more cohesive look across Chevrolet's sedan range including LED daytime running lamps on LT and LTZ trims. They complement the Cruze's swept-back headlamps, for a sportier presence. Several new exterior and interior colors will also be offered for 2015.

Updates on the interior enhance convenience:

Revised cupholders make it easier to insert and remove cups Trunk release relocated to the center console

Door lock switches relocated from the center console to the front doors.

In addition to LS, LT, RS and LTZ models, the 2015 Cruze lineup includes Cruze Eco (EPA-rated 42 mpg highway) and Cruze Diesel (EPA 46 mpg highway), the most efficient non-hybrid passenger car in America. That's about 10 percent greater efficiency than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Cruze also delivers more horsepower (151 hp) and torque (264 lb-ft), than the Jetta TDI (140 hp / 236 lb-ft). Cruze Diesel's driving range is up to 717 miles per tank.

Cruze offers more standard safety features than any other car in its class, including 2014 models of the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. Cruze has 10 standard air bags including side-impact and knee air bags for front passengers and offers side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and a rearview camera.

"Cruze remains a strong entry in the compact segment, with features that continue to bring new customers to Chevrolet," 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."

A mobile hub with greater connectivityThe enhanced connectivity and convenience features for the 2015 Cruze include a new Text Message Alerts feature for smartphone users with Bluetooth profile (M.A.P.), which reads incoming texts through the vehicle's speakers, and Siri Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7 users to enhance connectivity and convenience. Each enables voice-controlled connectivity, to help keep phones in pockets and hands on the wheel.

Additional standard and available features include:

Seven-inch-diagonal color touch screen and additional USB ports Chevrolet connected by OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot

Next-generation OnStar and MyLink enhancements with natural language voice recognition Available Chevrolet AppShop (later availability)

Available navigation.

OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers with easy access to apps and services that require a high-speed data connection. 4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network 10 times faster than 3G. And with OnStar, it offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network and it's easy to use: If the vehicle is on, the connection is on, allowing passengers to connect personal devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to high-speed wireless Internet. Each vehicle can accommodate seven devices at one time.

The Chevrolet AppShop allows owners to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle, then organize, update or delete them as needed. Available apps connect drivers to vehicle data, music, news, weather, travel information and more.

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[Drew Dowdell]

... insufficient.

[dwightlooi]

What got into the heads of GM's designers? Adding clutter and lines to a clean, graceful design does not make it more attractive or even fresher... Same thing can be said of Caddy's "refresh" of the SRX.

[FAPTurbo]

I like GM's 'hotspot' idea but don't like how they're not making it free. If they want to grab some real attention, work out a deal with their carrier (Sprint?) that gives each vehicle a monthly 1-2GB allotment of LTE/HSPA for a couple years.

[smk4565]

Looks like the front end got smashed in. A pretty weak MCE.

[Z-06]

Dumpy looking thing now.

[G. David Felt]

WTF! They took a good looking car and made it ugly! What idiots in mgmt approved this and then making the taillights look like all over asian cars is not good.

[Drew Dowdell]

No new interior, no new rear end.... I didn't expect the side profile to change... but shesh... this is a lame makeover.

[ponchoman49]

And looks like no more fog lights in change of useless silly looking LED eye brows.

[thedriver]

wow, that grille is so forced looking. yuck.

[smk4565]

This is like the 2008 STS makeover, that did basically nothing to help the car. I think they made the Cruze uglier and more Kia looking. Chevy seems to be making there cars look more Asian, I think the back of the Impala looks like a Hyundai. Chevy's design language seems to be getting lost, they either copy the South Korean brands or use 4 square rear lights and relive old school Camaro styling. Can't they imagine something more creative than that?

[SAmadei]

Yuck.

[ocnblu]

The new Impala's taillights are all Chevy. For historical reference, here is what they were going for. The 1967 Impala:

[G. David Felt]

I do not foresee this car gaining market share, they made a terrible mistake much like Honda did with the civic and they will be forced to refresh this by the end of the year!

[Drew Dowdell]

At least we didn't get the Chinese version.

[AAS]

At least we didn't get the Chinese version.

Both versions have bad front-ends so aside from the generic/copycat front-end of the Chinese version I think the Chinese version wins. It gets new details along the side, and Impala-like rear-quarters and rear-end that look much better than the leftover bits we get. Why couldn't they just make ours a mini-Impala?

[Cory Wolfe]

That is just.... underwhelming.

[SAmadei]

The new Impala's taillights are all Chevy. For historical reference, here is what they were going for. The 1967 Impala:

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1967 was a single year... and they quickly switched back to three separate elements in 1968.

And in any case it is a complete fail on the Impala. It looks more like they were copying the imports.

[Drew Dowdell]

updated with a couple shots from the show floor.

[G. David Felt]

Thanks Drew for adding shots from the floor.

This is still a very ugly car to me. The Front on shot makes those lower chrome areas stand out like zits on this ugly face.

[Drew Dowdell]

One of the floor cars had giant flaws in the grille where the fake chrome clearly didn't take. It looked awful.

[G. David Felt]

I am surprised they would want to show a car like this at such a big show with flaws that one would notice. I hope this is not an indication of the direction GM is going.

[daves87rs]

No new interior, no new rear end.... I didn't expect the side profile to change... but shesh... this is a lame makeover.

Could use a bit more, that is for sure..

have not seen much from other automakers either....has me wondering about the wait for new instead of refreshes....