All-new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback revealed

After revealing the next-generation Cruze sedan last year, Chevrolet has taken the wraps off the Cruze hatchback ahead of its public debut at the Detroit motor show this month. The hatchback shares design traits with its sedan counterpart, and both cars have the same 2,700 mm wheelbase too.

While the car does have the same sharply raked windshield as the sedan, the roof design has been altered and of course, the car features a different rear-end as well. The tail lights and rear bumper have been redesigned. While the number plate sits on the boot-lid in the sedan, it moves to the rear bumper in the hatchback. Also seen is a large integrated roof spoiler with a mounted stop light.

The car offers 643L of boot space with the rear seats up, expandable to 1,336L with the seats down. The Cruze hatchback will be offered in the 'LT' and 'Premier' trims, with an 'RS' package available as well. Key features of the car include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility via the MyLink radio system as standard, with 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot available as well.

Other features include a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, and halogen projector-beam headlamps with day-time running LEDs. Safety features include Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Park Assist among others.

The Cruze hatchback will be powered by the same 1.4-litre, direct injection, turbo-charged petrol engine as the sedan. The motor develops 152 BHP and 240 Nm of torque. This engine features an aluminium cylinder block and head, stop/start technology and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission or a six-speed manual transmission.

While the car will make its debut at the Detroit motor show, sales in the US will begin in the second half of 2016. While the new Cruze sedan is expected to arrive in India in 2017, it is uncertain if the hatchback will be considered for our sub-continent.