Say hello to Cruze, Chevrolet's all-new compact family car, set to debut at the Paris Motor Show.

On sale next year, the four-door model is an entirely global car, which will go on sale across all continents.

Its compact dimensions feature an arching roofline, sloping rear-pillars and a neatly styled rear deck that give it a lean profile.

At the front, the large, sweeping headlamp units wrap around the nose of the car, while other design themes include a concave shoulder line, Chevrolet?s trademark two-tier grille and a restrained use of exterior trim.

Inside, the car features a twin-cockpit design, with a distinct centre console dividing the front into separate areas for the driver and passenger ? a styling cue taken from various Chevrolet performance cars.

?Our goal with the design of the Cruze was to be bold, not evolutionary,? said chief designer Taewan Kim. ?We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world.?

At launch in Europe, three engines will be offered: 1.6-litre 82kW and 1.8-litre 103kW petrol units, both with variable valve timing, or a 2.0-litre 110kW common-rail turbodiesel.

The Cruze will go on sale in Europe from March 2009 and in South Africa shortly thereafter.