New Chevy "Nubira" Spy Pics

[nadepalma]

Didn't see this anywhere on GMI, sorry if it's a repost.

This is a picture of the Nubira/Lacetti replacement. This may not be the actual Chevrolet version, but more likely the Daewoo/Korean home market mule being tested in Europe (notice the front end has a look very similar to what Daewoo's signature look currently is in South Korea vs. Chevrolet's new split-port grille look).

It sits on the DeltaII platform that will eventually underpin the Saturn/Opel/Vauxhall Astra and the Chevy Cobalt.

This also compliments information found in a much earlier post by CaymanS HERE

We can't tell TOO much from the spypics, however, recall that earlier posts have indicated that GM will be consolidating nameplates and styling for their new vehicles moving forward. The hope is that by doing this, a larger "brand awareness" will be achieved if the same vehicle is sold in multiple markets around the world.

So we very well may see the Cobalt and Lacetti/Nubira nameplates disappear in favor of "Optra" or some other moniker being used world-wide. Along with that comes similar styling for all the products world-wide; so we can expect the Cobalt replacement that reaches the market in Europe or China to look very very similar to the one sold in North America.

In the end, we can expect see 2 mainstream versions: the next generation Astra to be sold under the Opel/Vauxhall/Saturn banners and the Chevrolet version that will be sold in world-wide markets.

There are other possibilies as well; some confirmed, some implied:

A new G5: IF and WHEN it makes it to market, it will only be a placeholder as Pontiac moves toward RWD. Otherwise, I don't expect to see Pontiac making much use of this platform.
Buick Skylark: It is slated to be sold in America and supplant the Buick Excelle in China. We know that the Skylark will replace the Excelle from an Edumund's InsideLine Story and it was more than implied it would make it to North America as well.
Saab 9-1: This is the vehicle that will create added volume for the Saab brand and give GM a legitamite competitor to vehicles like the A3, 1-Series, C30, et al.
Next Chevy HHR: When the Cobalt is replaced, it will obviously mean either the HHR will need to be replaced eventually or phased out. The recent popularity of the HHR and of "crossovers" in general will probably mean a 2nd generation of HHR will be making it to market.
Rezzo/Tacuma Replacement: The current Rezzo/Tacuma is ugly as sin and should have been replaced long ago. Obviously product cycles being what they are, this wasn't a possibility til now as the Rezzo/Tacuma shares the same J200-underpinnings as the Lacetti/Nubira/Reno/Forenza. Now that the platform is being replaced by Delta II, I would bet that the Rezzo/Tacuma would follow suit.
Zafira Replacement: The current Zafira is based on the Astra platform. When the Astra migrates to the Delta II platform it also makes sense that this model will move over as well. Perhaps there is a possibility that the Rezzo/Tacuma will be engineered/developed in conjunction with the Zafira -- essentially creating two products from one set of common, "beefed-up" Delta II underpinnings to support a crossover/MPV. This would follow the model set by the Antara/Captiva.
The Chevy Volt: GM's wunder-car is supposed to be built on the Delta II platform; another important product riding on this architecture.

And who knows what else may be coming down the line? Could we see an Astra convertible? Or prehaps a sub-Theta-based SUV coming on these mechanicals as well?

Let's hope GM gets it right and makes the replacement look both upscale and expensive -- just like the new Malibu.





Article: HERE

[MechEng]

This could be Delta II. Overall I like the look of the car. But i'm not a fan of the tail lights. Don't forget the Volt is supposed to be on Delta II as well.

[Mikkoo]

It's a definite styling upgrade from the current Nubira I see running
around Finland. Current styling is very odd looking, and not in tune
with some of the other offerings from GM's Korean arm.

[91 s-10baja]

the rear quarter looks like a mazda 3 and a lex GS (to me!!)

[paul8488]

Oh dear... I hope it doesn't end up with that fake rear C-pillar window like the Sebring! Otherwise it looks pretty tidy and classy... but I was really hoping it would have more Ultra WTCC flair... maybe they'll do a sportier hatch version...

[Butz]

Do they have to copy Hyundai?

[Chaz_23]

The short hood for a car that size reminds one of that nasty Civic.

[windvale]

The paint job is starting to grow on me...

[Co27sskid]

Y are the front and rear wheels diff sizes?

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by Co27sskid

Y are the front and rear wheels diff sizes?

Good point, I didn't notice that when I first observed it. Of course the
production version won't be like that.

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Is this out next Cobalt, or will the Cobalt be better/worse?

[The Law]

Originally Posted by paul8488

Oh dear... I was really hoping it would have more Ultra WTCC flair... maybe they'll do a sportier hatch version...

Here's me hoping the same sportier with WTCC style for Pontiac
Maybe Chevy will have one similar to this.

[zl-1]

You forgot another possibility re applications of Delta II, nadepalma: a Saab 9-1

[stevecmh]

Originally Posted by windvale

The paint job is starting to grow on me...

hahaha nice.. but it does look pretty good..

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by zl-1

You forgot another possibility re applications of Delta II, nadepalma: a Saab 9-1

You are absolutely right, I did forget this as well.

I will amend my original comments to reflect this. Thank you for pointing it out.