Geneva 2011: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

As soon as the Cruze model was launched onto the market, American manufacturer GM knew that it star brand, Chevrolet, struck gold. The affordable and very appealing model soon rose to the peaks of success, managing to surpass, at times, even the auto maker's own expectations.

Now that the sedan managed to make a name for itself, Chevy is trying to expand the Cruze offering in the hatchback segment, a very disputed, yet very generous piece of the European market.

At the Geneva Auto Show, Chevrolet is displaying the five door version of the Cruze. Basically the same model as the sedan in terms of front end design, the Cruze hatch comes with a back which clearly spells what Americans consider to be a hatch.

“Hatchbacks play a critical role in many markets,” admits Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. "The total compact segment in Europe represents over a quarter of the total market, with hatchbacks representing around 65 percent 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."

When the model built on the new body-frame integral system (BFI) will be launched, it will be powered by two petrol engines and one diesel. The petrol units are a 1.6l 16V (124 hp) and a 1.8l 16V (141 horsepower), while the diesel comes in the form of a 2.0l that develops 163 horsepower.