Hey, check out this five-door hatchback version of the Chevrolet Cruze that the company will unveil at the Paris Auto Show at the end of this month.
Do you like it better than the none-too-dramatic-looking sedan? Well, too bad. It's for Europe only. Well, it'll show up in other markets too...just not the one we're in.
You can tell by the sassy blue hue of the headlights, the oversize dimensions of the wheels and various other shiny bits that this is, in fact, a "concept." The real five-door hatch, which will look exactly like this but without the auto show get-up, will go on sale in Europe in the middle of next year.
Chevrolet is promising three other premieres at the Paris show. Possibly one or more of them will matter to you. Possibly not.
More photos after the jump.
1487 says:
09:11 AM, 09/ 3/10
They need to sell that here.
csubowtie says:
09:16 AM, 09/ 3/10
It's pretty cool looking, but they sloped the roof too much. They need to straiten up the rear window and extend the roof a little bit to actually give the rear seat some head room, and provide a usefull amount of trunk space. It should look like a proper hatch, not a 5GT wannabe.
prince34 says:
09:17 AM, 09/ 3/10
Why do they do this? The cruze is a meh car IMO, but this would definitely offer more appeal.
jonmc says:
09:21 AM, 09/ 3/10
it is a cross between the Mitsu Lancer and the WRX wagons, in appearance that is.
willej says:
09:25 AM, 09/ 3/10
I really wish they would sell this in the US. I would be in line to get it especially with an AWD option. But I do agree with CSUBOWTIE extend the roof line and straighten up the rear window, model the rear similar to the protege5.
jederino says:
09:33 AM, 09/ 3/10
It's nice, and more interesting than the WRX because the rear has Euro flair and overall looks more finished. I can imagine hip urbanites rockin' this in Milan, but I wish we had a chance to see it in Seattle.
rsholland says:
09:55 AM, 09/ 3/10
Impreza, anyone?
gregnv says:
10:08 AM, 09/ 3/10
"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." - The Who
New GM is doing exactly what old GM did. They assume they know best and won't let the American market decide if it likes a new small hatch. I think this looks a lot better and is more desirable than the sedan, but of course GM marketing knows what I want even more than I do so it won't be seen in this country.
1487 says:
10:27 AM, 09/ 3/10
hatches dont sell well here, thats a proven fact. This is why the fiesta has sedan version here while the rest of the world has the hatch only. And dont bring up the Mazda3 because the 5 door does not represent the majority of sales for that model and the 3 is low volume compared to Civic and Corolla. Its not about what "GM marketing" knows, its about sales.
greenpony says:
10:34 AM, 09/ 3/10
The front 3/4 shot makes it look a little dowdy, but the profile and rear 3/4 shots are nice. I think most enthusiasts would choose it over a sedan.
rsholland says:
10:35 AM, 09/ 3/10
"hatches dont sell well here, thats a proven fact."
Not sure that's true anymore. Subaru sells far more 5-door Imprezas here than they do 4-door Imprezas.
1487 says:
12:34 PM, 09/ 3/10
rs:
That's one model. Hatches overall dont sell well here. The impreza isnt attractive as a sedan so I'm not surprised the hatch does better. In addition the 3 five door is much better looking than the sedan.
rdryder says:
02:10 PM, 09/ 3/10
Too bad.
I know competition is hard in the US hatch market, but this looks pretty darn good.
firstwagon says:
04:17 PM, 09/ 3/10
Hatches sell great north of the border so I would love to see it. The sedan is as bland as they come. This at least gives it a touch of cool.
slickersdrip says:
04:28 PM, 09/ 3/10
AWD and the Cobalt SS engine and this would be in the running for my next car. I'm not a huge fan of the Cruze sedan, but this version just has "it" for me to love it.
moparbad says:
04:45 PM, 09/ 3/10
In order for a hatch to sell it has to be a SUV or CUV.
stovt001 says:
01:59 PM, 09/ 4/10
Too bad, that would fill the HHR's spot nicely.
johnmarco says:
07:39 PM, 09/ 6/10
I like it. Bring it over!
dougtheeng says:
12:57 PM, 09/ 8/10
Very Impreza-ish, but thats not a bad thing. I wish they sold it here in Canada. The sedan is extremely boring looking, but this hatch, especially in an SS-trim, would easily be in the running for my next vehicle. Silly American's and their hate of hatches, ruining things for the rest of us.