While initial plans call only for a sedan, we fully expect hatchback versions to be added in Europe and find their way to North America. European media are reporting the Cruze will be sold simultaneously with the Lacetti sedan, five-door hatch, and wagon, for about 18 months before the older car is phased out. In the U.S., expect a similar scenario whereby the current Cobalt is offered as a 2009 model through June 2010, and is built alongside the 2011 Cruze in Lordstown until the Cobalt is phased out.
The Cruze was engineered at GM’s Russelsheim, Germany, development center, and was designed in Korea by GM Daewoo. The car will be assembled in plants around the world, including the U.S. and Mexico, various parts of Europe including Russia (GM is building a new plant in St. Petersburg), South Korea, and Brazil. The Cruze will be powered by GM’s new family of direct-injection four-cylinder engines, likely ranging in displacement to 2.0 liters, and we expect some to be turbocharged. They should be good for about 40 mpg, or better.
The European lineup of powertrains includes 112-hp, 1.6-liter and 140-hp, 1.8-liter gasoline engines as well as a new 150-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel. Five-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions will be offered
