Chevrolet Cruze hatchback comes to Geneva, and GM just released pictures with the new model that will hit showrooms in the summer of 2011.
The 5 doors version of Cruze is keeping the massive front and sturdy lateral lines, but finishes the design with a hatch back that doesn’t appeal to the eye as much as the sedan version is. However, Chevrolet says that the boot space will be of 400 litres and that the car will have 60/40 folding seats in the back. This should help Cruze to gain market share in what amounts to 25% of the total car market in Western Europe, a segment from which Chevrolet was largely absent until now.
The press release is just below, and from it you will also learn that Chevrolet is going to consider this new hatchback version of Cruze as a pivotal car for conquering the European markets – or, at least, for increasing it’s feeble market share. Given the preference that Europeans have about hatchbacks (easier to park, lower consumption), there’s no reason why this car would not duplicate the current success the sedan version of Cruze enjoys in the Eastern Europe.
Chevrolet Cruze hatchback’s price wasn’t announced yet, but prices in Eastern Europe are starting from around 13.000 euros (final price) for very well equipped entry-level cars, so the price will be around this numbers.
Sales of the Cruze last year surpassed the Aveo to become Chevrolet’s top selling passenger car nameplate globally. Since its launch in the spring 2009, the Cruze sedan has been warmly welcomed by markets all over the world, greeted as a step change for the brand with customers attracted to its coupe style, build quality, 5-star NCAP rating and driving dynamics. It was also elected the AUTOBEST car of 2010 by a jury of leading auto writers in Central and Eastern Europe.
The introduction of the new Cruze hatchback is critical in Europe, as Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe explains. “Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets. The total compact segment in Europe represents over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65% of that volume.
“The new Cruze hatchback cements that Chevrolet’s claim for a place among the mainstream brands in Europe, and it’s a vehicle that will bring new levels of value against some of the more established competition.”
Cruze Hatchback – advantages of design
With its attractive sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs at both the front and rear, the new Cruze hatchback has the same dynamic ‘stance’ as the sedan and will be instantly recognizable.
It will benefit too from the same taut body ‘feel’ on the road, being built using the new body-frame integral system (BFI) which is complemented by the final tuning to chassis components. The BFI system results in high levels of stability and solidity. Indeed the Chevrolet Cruze is a car particularly well suited to European driver tastes, a fact borne out by sales across many of the markets and where in 2010, it exceeded forecasts.
Cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400 liters and it will feature 60/40 split rear seating.
The new Chevrolet Cruze 5-door hatchback will go on sale across Europe in mid 2011 with prices announced nearer the launch date.