These are the first photos of the new Chevrolet Cruze, a global compact car making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October. Designed by key exterior designer and recent RCA graduate Yunwoo Jeong when he worked a GM Korea in 2005, the project was known internally as the J300.

Claimed to be both wider and longer than most of its competitors, the Cruze has a two-tier grille and large headlamp housings that wrap around the front corners into the fenders. In profile, the four-door Cruze is demarcated by a concave shoulder line and an arching roof-line, extending from the steeply raked windshield and leading back to sloping C-pillars and short rear deck.

"We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world," said Taewan Kim, head of GM DAT Design.

The Cruze aims to strengthen the Chevrolet brand when it goes on sale across all continents starting in spring 2009. In Europe, three engines will be on offer from launch: 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter petrol units, and a 2.0-liter common-rail turbodiesel. Other global markets will offer regional-specific engine choices.

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