2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: First Official Photos of Production Model Released Ahead of Geneva Show

What you see in these pictures is the production version of the thinly disguised Chevrolet Cruze 5-door hatchback study, which was presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The more compact sized, hatchback version of the Cruze has lost some of the cool features of the concept car like the LED strips on the front bumper, the blue-tinted headlamps and the clear crystal tail lights, but other than that, nothing else has changed. The new body style looks a bit sharper and sportier than the four-door saloon, but due to the shorter rear overhang, cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400 liters, which is some 50 liters less than the sedan. The reason why Chevrolet decided to build a five-door version of the Cruze is because 65 percent of all compact cars sold in Europe are hatchbacks. The Cruze 5d will share its engine lineup with the four-door model, which means buyers can choose between 1.6-liter and 1.8-liter gasoline units producing 124HP and 141HP respectively, while there's also a 163 horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel. Sales in Europe will start in mid 2011, with pricing to be announced closer the launch date.By Dan Mihalascu


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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Production Model to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Chevrolet today announced that the production version of the Cruze hatchback will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Considered to be a critical model for Chevrolet in Europe, the 5-door Cruze was first teased at last year’s Paris Motor Show with a pre-production study. “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”, said Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. “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”. With its sweeping lines, short overhangs and, in our opinion, better looking rear quarter compared to the sedan, the hatchback is said to be “particularly well suited to European driver tastes”. To achieve this, it uses the same body-frame integral system (BFI) chassis complemented by some fine-tuning and the four-door model’s engine range, plus new additions, such as the Orlando MPV’s 163HP 2.0-liter diesel powerplant. From a practical standpoint, the new model loses 50 liters of cargo space for a total of 400 liters, but the large liftgate and 60/40 split rear seating should compensate in terms of practicality. The Cruze hatchback is due in Europe in mid 2011 and prices will be announced closer to the launch date. It will also be available as a Holden in Australia. By Csaba Daradics


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Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Wallpaper

Chevrolet Cruze hatchback WallpaperChevrolet Cruze hatchback WallpaperChevrolet Cruze hatchback WallpaperRevealed by GM ahead of its official debut.the Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback is a five- door car developed by Holden in Melbourne.According to Holden chief designer Richard Ferlazzo, his team spent more than 12 months working with GM designers from across the globe to develop this car. “Our brief was to create an alternative body style to the traditional sedan that retained the same dynamic proportions that has made Cruze such a success around the world,” he said.Apparently, the design of the Cruze hatchback that we see here is final, as the design team created the production car first, before adapting it to look suitably glamourous for a motor show. This means that once you take off those huge wheels and fancy headlamps, you’re looking at the production Chevy Cruze hatchback.This five-door Cruze, which sits on GM’s Delta II platform like the Opel Astra, has neat proportions and shares styling cues with the sedan – the front end is mostly identical while the profile signature line and the placement of door handles are familiar. It remains to be seen if there’s any change to the “double cockpit” interior.Australia currently imports the Cruze sedan from Korea, badging it as a Holden.

Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition with 186HP

Chevrolet and its European tuning partner Irmscher presented a humbly beefed up version of the Cruze compact sedan with cosmetic and performance upgrades at this week's AMI motorshow in Leipzig, Germany.

Dubbed the Cruze Irmscher Edition, the car gets an optional boot lid spoiler along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier 225 sport tires and aluminum door sills.

Irmscher's performance modifications include a 25mm suspension drop and exhaust silencers with elliptical twin exits along with a 36HP and 146Nm boost for the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine increasing total output to 186HP and 466Nm at 2,300 rpm.

According to the tuner, the diesel version accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.0 seconds.

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze ECO Wallpaper

Cruze ECO WallpaperChevrolet Cruze ECO2011 Chevrolet Cruze ECO WallpaperChevy Cruze PhotosGM's green machine the Chevrolet Cruze ECO packs a 1.4 liter turbocharged 4 cylinder underhood. With variable valve timing and the 6-speed manual transmission, Chevrolet expects the Eco to return up to 40 mpg Highway (City mileage and that of Automatic-equipped cars will be announced shortly).The Cruze ECO isn't just an efficient power/drive train either. A lot has gone into the whole package, from the lightweight wheels and "ultra-low" rolling resistance tires to the lowered ride height, this particular Cruze was prepped for good fuel economy.It seems like the entire front end was engineered for aerodynamics; it has "a lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow, [the] upper grille has more 'closeouts' to improve aerodynamics, [and a] lower front air dam extension."As expected, the gearing is for fuel mileage, not roaring fun. Chevrolet says you expect to pass the 60 mph mark in 10 seconds with the the stick (or about 9 with the automatic).

2011 Chevrolet Cruze RS Wallpaper

2011 Chevy Cruze RS WallpaperChevrolet Cruze RS Wallpaper2011 Chevrolet Cruze RSChevrolet Logo PictureThe Chevy Cruze RS is available in two trims in the US namely the LT and LTZ models. According to Chevrolet, the said package "bolsters the car's styling with unique fascias, rocker moldings, rear spoiler and fog lamps."Inside, drivers get classy chrome-rimmed gauges and "opaque cluster bezels" for a sporty, glowing appearance at night...right. Well, at least the chrome trim will be a nice touch.

Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition Wallpaper

Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition WallpaperSo what set the Chevrolet Cruze Irmscher Edition apart from the standard cruze? Well Irmscher gave the Cruze an optional boot lid spoiler along with 18-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier 225 sport tires and aluminum door sills.Irmscher's performance modifications include a 25mm suspension drop and exhaust silencers with elliptical twin exits along with a 36HP and 146Nm boost for the 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine increasing total output to 186HP and 466Nm at 2,300 rpm.According to the tuner, the diesel version accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 8.0 seconds.The Cruze Irmscher Edition is available for order at Chevrolet's German dealerships.