2016 Chevrolet Cruze Spied, Closely Resembles 2014 Malibu

UlyssesSG · Mar 19, 2014

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Spied, Closely Resembles 2014 Malibu

We have seen several different sets of pre-production photos of the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze, but these latest shots from Indian Autos Blog reveal the most production-ready 2016 Cruze yet. Previous photos showed the second-generation compact sedan with a conventional Chevrolet two-tier grille, but now it appears to be sporting a grille closer in design to that of the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.

The Malibu similarities continue past the front end. The rear haunches are more defined than the current Cruze’s, the taillights appear to have two-separate sections and it has adopted a third, trunk-mounted brake light.

The launch of the second Cruze was originally scheduled for 2014, but has since been postponed until the second half of 2015. We’re sure the looks are still subject to change, but it seems the new Cruze is starting to look more like a downsized Malibu every time we see it.

Sources: GM Authority & IndianAuto Blogs
Images: GM Authority, IndianAutoBlogs & Decoches Blogspot

Action Hank · Mar 19, 2014

Oh say it ain't so!
The more they try to make a mini malibu, the more it looks like a dart.

UlyssesSG · Mar 19, 2014

Action Hank said:
Oh say it ain't so! The more they try to make a mini malibu, the more it looks like a dart.

Yeah, and the Dodge Dart has been a MAJOR FAIL in the marketplace.

Gosh, if I wanted a blooming Malibu then I'd buy a Malibu. If the powers that be at GM ruin our beloved Cruze, then I'll reluctantly move on to another marque more deserving of my time, money and attention.

nick993 · Mar 19, 2014

Projector headlights, daytime led lights, and C7ish tail lights. And the interior pictures look great as well.

Aussie · Mar 19, 2014

I have found it a good policy not to guess what a disguised car will look like until it is revealed. You can always buy something else or keep your old car.

PanJet · Mar 19, 2014

This article just out this morning says GM will be revealing the new Cruze this year. It also gives some insight into potential new engines with likely a new 1.4L turbo or 1.5L turbo.

The new 1.4L turbo produces 140 hp but a much beefier 173 lb. ft of torque, and one of the engines (it doesn't say which one, but I'm assuming it will be a 1.5L turbo) has numbers as high as 165 hp and 184 lb. ft. of torque. If they roll out that bad boy with a good manual tranny, I think they're going to loose a few diesel buyers to gas motors.

That said, I'm glad I got my 2014 and didn't wait for the next gen. I'm not fond of the styling as it looks so far.

Aussie · Mar 19, 2014

PanJet said:
This article just out this morning says GM will be revealing the new Cruze this year. It also gives some insight into potential new engines with likely a new 1.4L turbo or 1.5L turbo.

The new 1.4L turbo produces 140 hp but a much beefier 173 lb. ft of torque, and one of the engines (it doesn't say which one, but I'm assuming it will be a 1.5L turbo) has numbers as high as 165 hp and 184 lb. ft. of torque. If they roll out that bad boy with a good manual tranny, I think they're going to loose a few diesel buyers to gas motors.

That said, I'm glad I got my 2014 and didn't wait for the next gen. I'm not fond of the styling as it looks so far.

My diesel has 161hp and 266ft/lbs of torque, I won't be getting a petrol engine any time soon.

obermd · Mar 19, 2014

Hopefully it will have the 1.6T engine with start/stop technology.

jblackburn · Mar 19, 2014

Ford is phasing out their new-ish 1.6 in favor of a 1.5 turbo (for the global market - engines under 1.5L offer tax breaks in the Chinese market).

With the power numbers posted above (165/184), I guarantee that's not Opel's 1.6T.

Still, the power bump will bring much-needed power to the Cruze. I'm thinking the Eco model will maintain the 1.4 (a la Corolla Eco, 140 HP and more torque)...while other models will get the 1.5.

NickD · Mar 19, 2014

How's this for being closem 2014 Cruze, 2014 Malibu?

View attachment 66434

Well I guess the colors are different.

PanJet · Mar 19, 2014

Funny, I had the same thought.

Honestly, we'll know more when the camo comes off, but I feel like the new Cruze has a Malibu back but a hybrid Malibu/Impala front.

spacedout · Mar 19, 2014

As much as I like the current cruze looks, I'm more about the way the car drives. Power, MPG, handling, ride/comfort, & the stereo are all higher on my list than a cars looks, not necessary in that order.

I would like 160-175hp with the current cruze weight. Torque is fine, but needs HP to back it up. 0-60mph is to slow, even more so if you have to accelerate 0-60mph from the bottom of a hill.

Aussie · Mar 19, 2014

The car already exists it's called a Holden Cruze SRI-V 1.6T with 177hp 175 f?lbs torque manual or auto and sports suspension. There is even a hatch version. It also has bigger brakes and room for a full size spare.

Daryl · Mar 19, 2014

Hmmmm depending on the power of these new ones, and overall everything else, I may have to consider a new one for the Wife.

mtomac · Mar 19, 2014

The rear end looks ok, but if this is what the front looks like I'll pass.

PanJet · Mar 19, 2014

Those renderings paint a whole different picture in my mind than the camo shots did (probably their intention). Aside from not being wholly in love with the front, I kind of like it.

If the real deal is close to that, and the new engines have numbers close to what's been speculated with maybe 40 mpg or better on the non-Eco models, I might actually regret not waiting for the 2nd gen Cruze.

UlyssesSG · Mar 19, 2014

Next-Gen Cruze Mule Side View

German Registration Plate GG-FS671
(GG indicates prototype licensed in the Groß-Gerau district, the home of Adam Opel AG and its' Rüsselsheim facilities).

UlyssesSG · Mar 19, 2014

Next-Gen Cruze rendered with Malibu-esque countenance

Image courtesy of: Rodrigo Losano de Camargo

NickD · Mar 19, 2014

UlyssesSG said:
Image courtesy of: Rodrigo Losano de Camargo

Wonder where the front license plate goes?

Its easy to see where condenser piercing stones go.

jblackburn · Mar 19, 2014

That one looks so much better than the earlier-linked one.

brian v · Mar 19, 2014

Leave it to the Aussie's to 1 up the U.S. NA Market with a better power plant !

Sup Aussie . Thanks mate .............

Quazar · Mar 20, 2014

Start of production is December 2015 for the Cruze, you wont be able to purchase it till Feb/March 2016 most likely.

UlyssesSG · Mar 20, 2014

Quazar,
What's your source for this date? It's not that I doubt you, mind, but I've read so many conflicting reports as to when the next-gen Cruze will begin production and be available for sale in the States that it makes my head spin. This uncertainty also makes it difficult to plan ahead as what to do with my 2012 and when. Thanks.

UlyssesSG · Mar 22, 2014

Next-Gen Cruze II
21 March 2014

“The first iteration of the next-gen Cruze will be announced later this year in China,” Holden’s executive director of corporate affairs, George Svigos, told GoAuto in an interview. “This all-new 2015 Cruze was developed specifically for consumer tastes and needs in China."

So, China gets it first and it reportedly has been designed to cater to their unique automotive tastes. Does this mean our lot, our lot being the rest of the English-speaking world and Europe, gets the same? Worrisome.

Source: GM Authority

mtomac · Mar 22, 2014

UlyssesSG said:

Looks good, but would be better with the 2014 Impala grill

PanJet · Mar 23, 2014

More details on the new Ecotec line.

Still no info on which engines we'll see in the 2nd gen Cruze, but some notable details of the new line:

-All aluminum blocks (current 1.4T is iron block?)
-44 lbs lighter vs. current 1.4T
-5% more efficient vs. current 1.4T
-Quieter (reported quieter than Audi 1.4, three-cylinder 1.0T will be three decibels quieter than Ford 1.0T).
-Some engines will have DI, others still have port injection.
-Some will be able to run on LPG (I'm guessing this will be for more special markets.)
-More than 1,600 test models have been built, 270 of which have been run through GM's "full-endurance test" of running WOT at peak hp and torque 24/7 for a month.

mrbean8686 · Apr 7, 2014

The new 2016 Chevy Cruze Spied in the Wild?: http://youtu.be/Z6MCSuX6okk just found this on my youtube feed.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

hawkeye · Jul 25, 2014

In case anyone is interested, I saw on the GM Authority website that an Opel Astra with the D2XX chassis will lose 176 pounds. That might give us an indicator of how much lighter the new Cruze may be. That would put an Eco manual around 2830 lbs. An Eco automatic like mine would drop to a touch over 3000 lbs. I know most comments were negative, but I find myself liking the looks more and more.

hawkeye · Aug 4, 2014

There was another article on the GM Authority website about the new Opel with the D2XX chassis. The actual weight loss, despite increasing the size of the car, is 220 lbs. This is looking pretty good for the next generation Cruze weight loss. I saw the gm website has the manual eco as 3005 lbs. A 2785 lbs 2016 Cruze Eco, with the more powerful motor could be a legit low 7 0-60 car, since the current one is high 7in most tests.

2016 Chevrolet Cruze Spied, Closely Resembles 2014 Malibu

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