Chevrolet Cruze to replace Chevy Optra in India 2008

Remember the Daewoo days when India was suddenly blessed by aerodynamically shaped vehicles like the Cielo? The Korean automaker was taken over by Chevrolet in early 2002 and the Daewoo model has since been rebadged as the Nubira. The car soon found its way into India rechristened as the Optra and in no time became Chevy India’s flagship sedan.

With healthy sales figures, the Optra has become one of the strongest players in the mid-size luxury car segment, though it has been ridiculed as D-segment entrant competing with the C-segment players. Chevrolet have now readied a new model of the Optra which has the potential to take on the likes of the Corolla, the Civic and even the newly launched Jetta.

The new vehicle is speculated to be called the Chevrolet Cruze in the global market. As the illustration portrays, it will have European styling. The crease that defines the shoulder line of the Chevrolet Cruze is reminiscent of the design penned by Pinninfarina for the current Optra. The crease flows into the aggressive headlights which have taken its cue from Chevy’s larger Epica sedan and sweep into the new pronounced bonnet. The vehicle also gets a new, more aggressive front grille with a horizontal beam that houses the Chevy logo.

The roof now blends into the boot more homogenously, unlike the earlier car where two met in a more abrupt manner. The tailgate incorporates plush wraparound taillights which add further zing to the stylish rear. A section of the taillights is integrated into the boot Qlid. Other stylish bits include ORVM integrated turn signals, chrome door handles and window trim as well as a redesigned five bolt five-spoke alloys. The overall body shell of the Chevrolet Cruze will be based on Chevy’s own Delta II platform.

Under the skin, the Chevrolet Cruze will not incorporate the Holden engines that power the current Optra. Instead, Chevrolet will house completely new powerplants albeit with the same capacities as their current models, viz.

1.6-litre and 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel. The new two-litre diesel is likely to be a detuned version of the engine that does duty in the recently launched Captiva. The top end variant is expected to provide healthier braking with all four wheels housing disc brakes. Creature comforts will be on par with the Civic and the Jetta.

The Chevrolet Cruze is set to make its international debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show and the car should hit Indian showrooms by November this year. Locally, Chevrolet may position the Chevrolet Cruze alongside the current Optra and in the price bracket of the Civic and Jetta. The Optra in turn will probably get a new I.4-litre Ecotec engine which will allow Chevy to take on the new Honda City.

Tags: abrupt manner, body shell, car segment, Chevrolet, Chevy, chevy logo, chevy optra, chrome door handles, Civic, Corolla, crease, Cruze, Delta, epica, Honda City, horizontal beam, Jetta, korean automaker, luxury car, mid size, Nubira, Optra, Pinninfarina, powerplants, shoulder line, taillights, turn signals, zing

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