The hatchback envy color today is orange. GM's Australian arm Holden has just unveiled its very sleek new Cruze hatch. No, it won't be coming to the U.S.
Yes, it's wearing the bowtie badges, but that's because it was released by Chevrolet Europe, where it will no doubt see significant sales. Aside from the very useful rear cargo space and the even-better new look, the hatch isn't anything you wouldn't expect from the Cruze: the same engines and transmissions will power it, and the same features and options will be available.
The 2010 Paris Auto Show will see the official unveiling of the Cruze hatch, with the full details and specifications released then, but we expect it to be entirely expected. Production of the new Cruze hatch will start in late 2011, with factories in "several countries" turning it out.
Offcially billed as a "showcar," the Cruze hatch shown here is the "precursor" to the production model, though again, we don't expect much in the way of changes in the translation to full-scale production.
Hatch fans, your pain is our pain. Maybe one day the mass-market zombies will awaken to the glories of the five-door--without the need for stilts and silly acronyms. See here for more on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze sedan we do get here in the U.S.
[GM]
