Chevrolet will replace its Lacetti/Nubira/Cobalt with this slick saloon in autumn 2008. Our spy photos reveal the four-door Chevy in near-production form three months ahead of its planned debut at the 2008 Paris motor show.
The name of the newcomer will be announced on 8 July 2008 and this time a single badge will be used globally, instead of different names in different markets. In the UK, Chevy’s mid-sized car was called the Lacetti, but an-all new tag is in the pipeline this time.
Chevrolet Lacetti: the replacement
This four-door will arrive first and is expected in UK showrooms in March 2009; three- and five-door hatchback versions will follow later in 2009. There won’t be a direct replacement for the Lacetti estate, although today’s bargain load-lugger will continue in production until 2010.
Then, at the end of 2009, Chevrolet will launch a crossover which has the task of replacing both the Lacetti station wagon and the Tacuma midi-MPV.
Both new Chevy models will be based on the GM Delta platform; that means a host of new tech and upmarket gadgets that you wouldn’t believe possible on refashioned Daewoos.
Click ‘Next’ to find out whyGM Delta platform… that’s the new Astra, yes?
Got it in one. GM’s letting Chevrolet be the lead pioneer on this new Delta sub-structure, which means a sophisticated platform for bargain money. The Lacetti replacement will be a bit bigger than its predecessor – think VW Jetta sized – and will be front-wheel drive (unlike the next Vauxhall Astra which will have 4wd capability on the madder versions).
From launch expect two petrol engines and a diesel, although this will rapidly expand to include four unleaded variants and a brace of derv sippers.
Prices will span from £10,000-£14,000 in the UK, but this new Chevrolet will be a global car, don’t forget. It even replaces the Cobalt from the US and should clear up any confusion over GM’s budget brand’s confusing worldwide line-up.
It looks pretty slick – for a Chevy
We’d say it looks pretty nifty for any volume brand, actually. The shape was penned at GM’s new design centre in Korea.
If you want to see it in the metal, you’ll have to wait until 2 October 2008 – when it’ll be one of four Chevrolet world debuts.