General Motors South Africa has announced that the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback will be offered on the South African market this year, bringing the company’s local new model total to 13 for the 2010-2012 period.
Hot on the heels of GMSA’s announcement that its Fortuner/Everest/Pajero Sport-rivalling Trail Blazer SUV is headed our way, the company has now confirmed that the 5-door hatchback version of its Cruze global car will be with us by the second half of this year.
The Cruze Hatchback shares its underpinnings with the saloon along with such design cues as the dual-port grille and central bonnet spine. In addition to sporting short front and rear overhangs and model-specific brakelamp clusters, the Hatchback will also serve up 413 dm3 of luggage space with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats in place and 883 dm3 with them dropped.
GMSA has not yet divulged any details regarding pricing and specifications of locally bound models, but it’s fair to assume that a combination of 1,6- and 1,8-litre petrol units developing 80 kW and 104 kW, respectively, will be offered. A 2,0-litre turbodiesel with 110 kW and 320 N.m of torque proved to be an impressive performer in the saloon and has been earmarked for Europe and other markets, but it remains to be seen whether it will find its way into the local line-up.
