Chevy Cruze 2016 unveiled

Chevrolet Cruze has been in limbo for quite a while. Watching peers Toyota Corolla Altis and Skoda Octavia dominate the segment, the American giant knew its D-segment sedan needed a drastic makeover to consider itself a serious rival.

Therefore, Chevy took the wraps of the redesigned 2016 Cruze last week in Detroit. Sporting an updated look, the Cruze has lost weight and gained room for passengers, front and back. The next generation of the sedan will be offered not just in the US but also in more than 40 other global markets after it goes on sale in North America early next year.

The Cruze adds .6 inches to its wheelbase for a total of 106.3 inches and 2.7 inches to its overall length which brings it to 183.7 inches. Rear legroom is now 36.1 inches and there’s an additional 2 inches of knee room over the previous version of the Cruze. Despite its larger size, curb weight is down 250 pounds.

Coming to the interior, Chevrolet had revealed the console design of the 2016 Cruze when they announced that the said car would offer both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The design is identical to the Chinese-spec Cruze’s interior, which features a familiar dual cockpit design, more up-scale leather upholstery and trim, new 3-spoke steering wheel and instrument cluster with a large MID. Chevrolet will offer a 7-inch MyLink infotainment display as standard for the 2016 Cruze, as well as an optional 8-inch MyLink display for top variants.

Engine options: There is a 1.4 litre, turbo-charged petrol engine that makes 153 hp and 240 Nm of torque, a 1.5 litre petrol variant, which is a naturally-aspirated mill, that makes around 115 hp and close to 200 Nm of toque. The toque 2 litre diesel should continue from the previous generation.

GM India has kept mum on when the Cruze will hit Indian shores but the car will show its head at the Auto Expo 2016. Subsequently, this could mean an Indian debut in early 2017.

[gallery type=”rectangular” ids=”5383,5384,5385,5386"]