GM Korea Co. uncloaked on Thursday the latest edition of its Cruze compact car that comes with an upgraded design for the sedan first introduced in the local market in 2011.

“The Amazing New Cruze 2015 is just the first step of much more to come,” said Sergio Rocha, head of GM Korea during a media event held in western Seoul. “This year, we’ll have 10 launch events in South Korea, starting today with the Cruze 2015.”

“You should expect new innovations on both the Chevrolet, our mainstream brand, as well as the Cadillac, our premium brand,” Rocha said, adding that the carmaker will “put a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly vehicles” down the road.

Pre-orders are now available for the Cruze 2015, sold under the Chevrolet badge, and retail sales are to begin later next month, according to the carmaker, the South Korean unit of U.S. auto manufacturer General Motors.

Sharper and brighter details were added to the new model’s exterior, with chrome accents to the grille and a bar on the upper rear bumper, and drivers also have a choice between 16-inch and 17-inch alloy wheels for a sporty look. The car’s interior has been refurnished in a two-tone motif of saddle brown and ebony.

The new Cruze sedan’s drivetrain, with both diesel and gasoline options, runs on a four-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox, GM Korea said.

The 2.0-liter diesel engine version has a city-highway fuel mileage of 13.1 kilometers per liter of diesel, with highway fuel efficiency rated at 16 kilometers per liter and that of city driving at 11.4 kilometers per liter. (Yonhap)