Styling, OnStar 4G LTE, Siri Updates for 2015 Chevy Cruze

Chevy's best-selling car is smarter looking, offers greater connectivity

NEW YORK – Chevrolet announced today the 2015 Cruze will debut at the New York International Auto Show with revised exterior styling, enhanced interior convenience and greater connectivity – including new Text Message Alerts, Apple Siri integration and OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot.

The new exterior styling cues are inspired by the all-new Impala and restyled 2014 Malibu, while more intuitive controls update the interior. New voice-controlled features enhance safety when responding to text messages in the vehicle.

"We've simply made a great, versatile car even better," said Steve Majoros, Chevrolet director of passenger car and crossover marketing. "Chevrolet continues to design, build and sell the most compelling small cars in its history and the 2015 Cruze offers more of the features, connectivity and efficiency that are important to today's customers."

The Cruze's facelift for 2015 refreshes the appearance for LS, LT, RS and LTZ models. A prominent dual-port front fascia takes styling cues from Impala and Malibu, contributing a more cohesive look across Chevrolet's sedan range – including LED daytime running lamps on LT and LTZ trims. They complement the Cruze's swept-back headlamps, for a sportier presence. Several new exterior and interior colors will also be offered for 2015.

Updates on the interior enhance convenience:
• Revised cupholders make it easier to insert and remove cups
• Trunk release relocated to the center console
• Door lock switches relocated from the center console to the front doors.

In addition to LS, LT, RS and LTZ models, the 2015 Cruze lineup includes Cruze Eco (EPA-rated 42 mpg highway) and Cruze Diesel (EPA 46 mpg highway), the most efficient non-hybrid passenger car in America. That's about 10 percent greater efficiency than the Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The Cruze also delivers more horsepower (151 hp) and torque (264 lb-ft), than the Jetta TDI (140 hp / 236 lb-ft). Cruze Diesel's driving range is up to 717 miles per tank.

Cruze offers more standard safety features than any other car in its class, including 2014 models of the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla. Cruze has 10 standard air bags – including side-impact and knee air bags for front passengers – and offers side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear park assist and a rearview camera.

"Cruze remains a strong entry in the compact segment, with features that continue to bring new customers to Chevrolet," said Majoros. "Along with Spark, Spark EV, Sonic and Volt, Chevy's lineup of efficient, technologically advanced small cars is one of the industry's most compelling."

A mobile hub with greater connectivity
The enhanced connectivity and convenience features for the 2015 Cruze include a new Text Message Alerts feature for smartphone users with Bluetooth profile (M.A.P.), which reads incoming texts through the vehicle's speakers, and Siri Eyes Free for iPhone iOS 6 and iOS 7 users to enhance connectivity and convenience. Each enables voice-controlled connectivity, to help keep phones in pockets and hands on the wheel.

Additional standard and available features include:
• Seven-inch-diagonal color touch screen and additional USB ports
• Chevrolet connected by OnStar 4G LTE with built-in Wi-Fi hotspot
• Next-generation OnStar and MyLink enhancements with natural language voice recognition
• Available Chevrolet AppShop (later availability)
• Available navigation.

OnStar 4G LTE with available Wi-Fi hotspot provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers with easy access to apps and services that require a high-speed data connection. 4G LTE is the most current and fastest mobile data network – 10 times faster than 3G. And with OnStar, it offers stronger, broader coverage than smartphones on the same network and it's easy to use: If the vehicle is on, the connection is on, allowing passengers to connect personal devices such as smartphones, laptops and tablets, to high-speed wireless Internet. Each vehicle can accommodate seven devices at one time.

The Chevrolet AppShop allows owners to view all available apps and download them directly to the vehicle, then organize, update or delete them as needed. Available apps connect drivers to vehicle data, music, news, weather, travel information and more.

Small-car strategy producing big-time results
Cruze is the cornerstone of Chevrolet's North American small-car lineup, which is attracting a greater share of the market and more young, first-time customers to Chevy showrooms. Cruze is also Chevrolet's best-selling car around the world, with more than 2.5 million sold globally since its launch in mid-2010.

"These new customers are discovering the fun, value and durability Chevy stands for," said Paul Edwards, U.S. vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. "In fact, Chevrolet is second among buyers under 25, as the brand continues to grow share in the small-car segments."

Collectively the lineup in America – including Spark, Spark EV, Sonic, Cruze and Volt – saw a 15.4-percent increase in overall sales in the first quarter of 2014. Since Cruze's launch about four years ago, and the additions of the Spark and Sonic, Chevrolet's overall share of the small-, compact- and mini-car segments has more than tripled – up 221 percent – with nearly half of the customers new to Chevrolet.

"The diversity of Chevrolet's small-car lineups, from the efficiency of the Cruze clean diesel and the pure electric performance of the Spark EV, offers a driving solution for everyone," said Edwards. "With Cruze sales up 17 percent in the first quarter of 2014, the updated styling and greater connectivity of the 2015 Cruze will accelerate Chevy's small-car momentum when it goes on sale this fall."