BOLOGNA, Italy — Chevrolet chose the 2008 Bologna Auto Show as the venue to take the wraps off its Cruze WTCC, a racing version of the sedan that will compete in the 2009 World Touring Car Championship. The compact Cruze sedan was unveiled last October at the 2008 Paris Auto Show, and the WTCC version features the same look as well as bold exterior graphics that accentuate the vehicle's styling. Racy additions to the Cruze are a rear spoiler, fresh alloy wheels and a new front bumper to improve airflow. 'The team colors have been incorporated as a continuation of our successful past. The supergraphics are asymmetrical and unexpected, with a geometric execution, while we have accentuated the Chevrolet grille, which is the global face of Chevrolet,' said Phillip Zak, director of exterior design of General Motors Europe. Chevrolet's previous WTCC racing car was based on the Lacetti, which helped the GM division win 14 races over four seasons. The Lacetti, designed and engineered by GM-Daewoo, has just been replaced in Korea by a production version of the Cruze.Chevrolet is currently putting the Cruze WTCC through a rigorous testing and development program, with help from drivers Rob Huff, Nicola Larini and Alain Menu, to help prepare the vehicle for its racing debut on March 7 in Curitiba, Brazil. Inside Line says: Chevy clearly has bigger global plans for the Cruze than just taking the Cobalt's place in its U.S. small-car segment. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent