The teaser shot does a relatively good job of keeping the new Cruze’s overall design under wraps, but an earlier set of spy shots reveals the sedan will be much more stylish than the current model thanks to narrower headlights, a sculpted hood and a two-part grille accented by chrome trim. Out back, the Cruze will get thinner tail lamps and a more sculpted bumper, and select models will even be offered with a discreet trunk-mounted spoiler.
Under the skin, the Cruze will share its D2XX platform with the all-new Volt that bowed in Detroit last January, the recently-introduced Europe-bound Opel Astra and the upcoming Buick Verano. The D2XX platform will make the next Cruze larger and a lot lighter than its predecessor, allowing it to offer a spacious cockpit with more leg room for the rear passengers, and ensuring it returns noticeably better fuel economy.
Interior pictures are not available yet but Chevrolet has announced the next Cruze will come with a 7.0-inch touch screen that will be fully compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Similarly, official technical details are still few and far between. Chevrolet is expected to offer the second-gen Cruze with at least two gasoline-burning four-cylinder engines, but whether the current model’s 148-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder mill will return is an open question. Front-wheel drive will come standard, and the sedan will ship with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic unit depending on which engine and trim level is selected.
Stay tuned, the brand new Chevrolet Cruze will be introduced online on June 24th. It will go on sale across the nation shortly after, meaning it will land on dealer lots as a 2016 model.
