5
NEWS
SPY PICS: Chevy Cruze sighted at the 'Ring
Spy photographers snap global small car expected in Oz from as early as 2015, wearing Holden badgesChevrolet is hard at work on a new-generation Cruze, as these photos taken by Automedia prove.
The new car was caught testing as it lapped famous German racetrack – and home away from home for spy photographers – the Nurburgring.
Little is known about the new car – and Holden is certainly not ready to discuss this or any other future product – but the images strongly hint that it will inherit the frontal styling treatment of the Holden Barina, which is known throughout other parts of the GM world as the Chevrolet Sonic.
And although the spy pics clearly show the two-tier Chevy grille fitted, it's not certain that look will make it into production for the Chev. Certainly it won't be a feature of the locally-built version, which is likely to debut with an updated version of the current (MY14) model's Holden grille, retaining a family resemblance to Commodore and Malibu. Two recent concept models from Chevrolet – the TRU 140S and Code 130R – hint at the revised styling treatment for the Cruze, under all the camo.
The new Cruze is understood to be built on a completely new platform and is anticipated to be one of two global models to carry Holden's manufacturing effort through to 2020. By the time it reaches global markets, from 2015, expect it to offer new mechanicals, with local versions built at Holden's Elizabeth plant odds on for a thorough make-over to suit the local environment. It was originally planned for the new Cruze to be introduced as a northern hemisphere 2014 model, but developmental delays have pushed back the car's global launch to 2015, as a 2016 model. We would bank on the Holden version going into production around six to 12 months later still – presumably for calendar year 2016.
Rumours are circulating that Cruze development has been taken away from GM's Korean homeroom and handed over to a team in Detroit. Web-based publisher Left Lane News reports that industrial relations issues in Korea have forced the move. What that means for Holden, which is heavily reliant on Korea as the 'homeroom' for Cruze, remains a mystery. As likely as not, however, it will mean little change for the local brand.
– with Automedia
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