According to an item in industry bible Automotive News, GM has decided to revive its performance mission, this time focusing on smaller cars. Jm Campbell was named vice president of GM's performance vehicles and motorsports.         

This means cars like the new Chevy Cruze (pictured, with its misspelled name) and the Aveo could get high-output, better handling variants. The Cruze takes the place of the Cobalt in the Chevy lineup and though the Cobalt's demise will be lamented by few, its supercharged and turbocharged SS versions were outstanding performers in their segment, with class-leading handling (the Cobalt SS had much better seats than the new Corvette—although that's not saying much, they really worked great in athletic maneuvers).

We drove the new Cruze a couple of weeks ago and while its styling won't get enthusiast hearts pounding, it was very, very competent and we could see there's a lot of potential in the package. A 300-horse turbocharged Ecotec would be good start. At that ride-and-drive program, I suggested not reviving the SS badge on the Cruze. We thought a more fitting moniker would be the Cruze Missile. You heard it here first.