Following the success of its Cruze saloon, Chevrolet revealed its intentions to monopolise on the popularity of this model when it unveiled a show-ready Cruze hatchback at last year’s Paris Motor Show. A production-ready version of this five-door vehicle will now début in Geneva.
The expected engine line-up for Europe is similar to that of the saloon with petrol models in the form of 1,6-litre (83 kW) and 1,8-litre (104 kW) engines, and an oil-sipping 2,0-litre (110 kW). General Motors has also taken its 122 kW 2,0-litre diesel unit from the Orlando and put it in the Cruze hatchback.
On the styling front, it’s clear that Chevrolet hasn’t deviated very far off the styling it uses for the saloon with a similar roofline and aggressive styling at the front. Luggage capacity will reportedly be close to 400 dm³ with 60/40 split rear seatbacks adding practicality.
GMSA had initially expressed interest in launching the Cruze hatchback with a 1,6 turbocharged engine. But with the recent introduction of its new Opel Astra, the General has made clear its intentions to get the Opel brand back into the heart of the local buying public. The Cruze hatchback will most likely be direct competition to the Astra – a vehicle that GMSA needs to make a success of locally. So, we doubted whether South Africans would be able to experience this hatchback after all. But GMSA has confirmed that it is, in fact, bringing the Cruze hatchback to SA. First models arrive early in 2012.
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