jelly bean blob.

Weird paint job.

I'm thinking the baby Impala rumor was false at this point. Was hoping, because the Impala is a knockout.

Maybe it is too early to worry.

So on first glance it clearly is a jelly bean blob and weird paint job, but then that is probably what they want to hide it's true style till it comes out next year as a 2015 model. You can see when looking at the big pictures that they have given some attitude to the front end with the headlights and hood so I am thinking while it will be a jelly bean shape over all, it will have more defined lines than most people expect.

What is weird is that little tail pipe sticking so far out and then flared. Weird.

Probably for ease of insertion.

Of testing equipment, for emissions and so forth. I guess.

It's going to be a giant sonic from the front, and elantra from the back....

Wonderful......

To early to panic as normal. The last one looked like a Jelly Bean in Camo too. So did the ATS etc.

You also have to accept the fact this is a smaller car and you just can not do things stylistically like they did on the Impala due to size. The smaller the canvas the smaller are you have to be creative but remain functional.

Hyperv6 while the canvas might be smaller it does not mean the style cannot be just as big as life. I think some folks take the easy way out and blame it on the smaller canvas rather than figuring out how to do more with less. I believe you can be creative and through the use of certain body lines and paint styles make a small car like this look very sharp. It just takes some time to properly work out the details on this small canvas.

the current cruze has loads of definition, it's not a melted blob like the elantra and newest forte.

Looks like they are going to the melted blob look. I am sure its for that one extra mpg of highway rating. Part of the reason corolla sells is its a little more upright.

Hyperv6 while the canvas might be smaller it does not mean the style cannot be just as big as life. I think some folks take the easy way out and blame it on the smaller canvas rather than figuring out how to do more with less. I believe you can be creative and through the use of certain body lines and paint styles make a small car like this look very sharp. It just takes some time to properly work out the details on this small canvas.

It is not impossible but it is still very difficult and very few cars can pull it off. In the end it is still easier to style a larger car with less restrictions. The little 3 door Opel Astra is one of the few small cars that pull it off.

Once you cram all that you need into a smaller package and have to design around it that is where it becomes a real challenge to cover with less option to stretch the sheet metal.

This car should be fine but it will never be an Impala.

agreed Hyperv6 it will never be an Impala and I agree with you on the 3 door Astra, very sexy little car. I think they can use paint jobs to create some impressive visual looks even though it is on a more blob like design.

Since the Cruze is an international model, I'd expect similar styling cues to the Spark, Sonic and Malibu....remember the Impala is NA only and thus goes it's own way styling wise...

got a ride in my friend's new cruze today. an import owner who went chevy. loves the car, got it for all the reasons the focus is not, loves the look. the cruze is unmistakable. it has definition. i think chevy needs to keep the current body in production as long as possible. a refresh of the front and some interior bits would be far better than bringing in this new genericar sooner.

The Impala grille is ugly and cluttered, the Cruze / Malibu grille looks much better. The 1.4T engine is a ho-hum waste of time though... the money they spent on the turbo and intercooler is better spent on an aluminum block and direct injectors. An NA version of the 2.0T (LTG) in the ATS will serve the Cruze better as an upgrade engine over the 1.8. It'll make about 160 hp and 150 lb-ft, and mileage won't be any worse than the 1.4T's 26/38 mpg.

I'd bet chevy will keep the 1.4t in production now that they have made so many, the more they make, it just gets cheaper.

But that 2.0 would be a nice motor and i think a 1.6t would probably be a better all around performer than the 1.4.

Chevy needs a real Eco automatic. Somehow a tranny that can spread the ratios really wide (CVT?) and a super sipper motor would make a gas Eco automatic a real fuel miser.

Weird paint job.

I'm thinking the baby Impala rumor was false at this point. Was hoping, because the Impala is a knockout.

Maybe it is too early to worry.

You're thinking Malibu that will be "baby Impala"

Yes the Malibu will take on a mini Impala persona soon.

Also check out the Car and Driver story on the new Volt. Not sure if they based their story fact or wishful thinking but it looks like the spawn of a Impala and ELR. It looks pretty nice and less scientific.

Still hoping for a simple refresh....