2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Paris? Why Paris? Here's why: The 2010 Chevy Cruze is a global car, and will be launched in the European market before anywhere else — by March. We like the steeply sloping roofline and short rear deck, which Chevy says "brings coupelike proportions to a compact sedan." Says Chief Designer Taewan Kim: "We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world."

The European Cruze will be available with two 4-cylinder gasoline engines and a turbodiesel. With variable valve timing on both the inlet and exhaust sides — the 1.6-liter gas engine makes 112 bhp and the 1.8-liter 140; the 2.0-liter turbodiesel has 150 bhp and a substantial 236 lb.-ft. of torque. Two transmissions are available: a 5-speed manual and a new 6-speed automatic.

The Cruze will be built in Ohio, and it will go on sale in June 2010 as a 2011 model. Although Chevy is mum about the subject, sources tell us the U.S. Cruze might use a 1.4-liter direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder that achieves 40 mpg on the highway.