The new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will officially meet the world when the 2011 Geneva Motor Show opens next month but today, we have our first official look at the sporty 5-door hatchback in the flesh.
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We had a pretty good idea as to what the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback would look like when it made its Swiss debut, thanks to some patent drawings (click here for a look at the Cruze hatchback patent drawings) and a shot of a sporty concept model in white. However, the Cruze hatchback concept jad certain aspects that weren’t likely to make it to the showroom and with the image on the left, we know exactly what the production version of the Cruze hatchback will look like.
The most glaring change from the Concept image to the production Chevy Cruze hatchback is across the front end, with the LED trim rings in the headlights and the LED foglights replaced by the same “normal” headlight housing and round foglight layout found on the current production Cruze sedan. Even with the LEDs not making it to production, the Cruze hatchback still offers an appealing, aggressive exterior.
Along the sides of the new Chevy Cruze hatchback, it looks like the only difference from the concept is the departure of the large, split-spoke wheels in favor of some more production-friendly rims similar to those on the Cruze sedan. We have not yet gotten a good look at the rear end of the new Cruze hatchback, but from the side it looks like the 5-door version of the new Cruze will receive similar tail lights to the sedan, but with the tail light lenses extending further up the side of the body.
We also know now that the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback will be powered by a 161 horsepower diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission but as is the case with many diesel powered hatchbacks sold in Europe, the Cruze 5-door will not be available in the US – for now. The hatchback market has been slowly growing in the US and should Ford see sales success from the new 2012 Focus hatchback, perhaps General Motors will look a little harder at bringing the sporty Cruze hatchback to the US.
The new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is due to make its formal debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show when it opens next month. Check out the gallery below for a larger look at the new Chevy 5-door Cruze.
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