- The locally designed Cruze hatchback will join its four-door sibling in production in Adelaide by the end of the year.
- The Cruze, previously built in South Korea, is the first small car to be built in Australia in more than 12 years.
- A high-performance version of the Cruze is also in development and is expected to get a variation of the 177-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine used in European versions of the Opel Astra.
MELBOURNE, Australia — General Motors Holden has used the launch of its face-lifted Series II Cruze sedan, now in production in Adelaide, to show the first official images of the locally designed Cruze hatchback, which will join it on the Australian market before the end of the year.
The Cruze, previously built in South Korea, is the first small car to be built in Australia in more than 12 years.
Holden has not yet released details of the five-door Cruze, which together with the sedan is expected to eventually outsell the Commodore, Holden's and Australia's top-selling vehicle.
A high-performance version of the Cruze is also in development and is expected to get a variation of the turbocharged 1.6-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine used in European versions of the Opel Astra. That engine develops 177 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque.
The upgraded JH-series Cruze sedan, due on Aussie roads in mid-April, has a fresh design, improved Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines, and better performance and refinement through new powertrain calibrations. Also available in some Cruze variants is a new turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, upgraded rear suspension and electric power steering.
Prices start at $21,500 and range up to $30,700 for the top-of-the-line Cruze SRi-V.
Inside Line says: The addition of the hatchback should help boost the local appeal of the Cruze. — Mike Jarvis, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
sniperruff says:
12:50 PM, 03/27/2011
Small wagons with high-performance small displacement engines? I think I've *cough cough XRS cough* seen that somewhere before... don't expect this to rock the sales chart.
trmzel says:
02:32 AM, 03/27/2011
I like it as a hatchback, but between choosing between some $25-$30k Cruze and a $25-$30k WRX, I'd choose the WRX or save money and get the regular Impreza Outback for $20k. But again, the Cruze is supposed to be a small gas saver, while the WRX is performance.
northsparrow says:
05:33 AM, 03/26/2011
hopster
A third side window seems to be an integral element in achieving wagon status.
jscion says:
05:23 AM, 03/26/2011
It's a decent looking hatchback but the Kia Forte hatchback, VW Golf, Ford Focus hatchback, and several others look MUCH better. Chevy really has to stop it with that damned crossbar grill and get some decent designers to do a better job with the front and rear of the car.
hopster says:
06:34 PM, 03/25/2011
Shorter than the sedan = hatchback
Longer than the sedan = wagon
That is how it seems to work.
Chevy should bring that motor and hatch over here, 180 hp sounds like fun and 1.4L sounds like decent fuel economy.
akitadog says:
03:28 PM, 03/25/2011
This looks so much better than the notchback. Though, it's gonna have to be a Cruze SS with the 260 hp/260tq 2.0T and 6-speed manual for me to come close to considering it.
northsparrow says:
01:58 PM, 03/25/2011
ed124c
I hate to be the one to tell you this but the Mazda 3 hatch really is a wagon as was the Protege 5 which preceded it.
ed124c says:
01:04 PM, 03/25/2011
The extremely sloping roof and hatch makes the Mazda 3 hatch look like a stationwagon. Without the Cruze's rear spoiler, the profile would look almost as sloped as a Crosstour.
deathtollwrx says:
01:02 PM, 03/25/2011
Wow it looks alot like a 2010 Spark Silver WRX hatchback.
audisport says:
12:30 PM, 03/25/2011
Looks good as a hatch.