The Indian automobile market is overburdened with a number of small cars. Almost every month, we witness the launch of a small car, and while most of them are wonderfully fuel efficient and budget friendly, little or no attention is paid to the design factor or the looks of the car. Barring the Fiat Punto and the Volkswagen Polo, there are hardly any hatchbacks that can be categorised as stylish or cool. Let’s face it, when it comes to looks, most of the small cars we have here score poorly in the looks department.
Talking about good looking hatchbacks, the Chevrolet Optra SR-V was one of the best looking hatchbacks in India. But the company decided to halt the production, and the customers were left to despair. But now, it seems that the future might just be brighter. General Motors has released the design sketches of the Cruze hatchback. To say that the car looks phenomenal is an understatement as the car looks too good for us to believe.
The Cruze hatchback would be showcased at the upcoming Paris Motor Show and Chevrolet says the new Cruze hatchback will be instantly recognisable, as it has the same dynamic ‘stance’ as the Cruze saloon. The hatchback version was designed and built at Holden’s Port Melbourne Design Studio.
The Holden Design Studio is an indispensable part of General Motors global design network. It is one of only three facilities in the world with the capability to design and build prototype concept vehicles for exhibitions and international auto shows.
The showcar flaunts a sweeping coupe roofline and short overhangs. The Cruze hatchback is a precursor to a production model, also designed by Holden that will be built in several countries, including Australia where it will start production in late 2011. The Cruze hatchback apparently is quite spacious. The new car flaunts a cargo capacity that is closer to 400 litres and features 60/40 split rear seating.
The American company has said that the new hatchback will benefit from the same taut body feel’ on the road, as it is being built using the new body-frame integral system (BFI) that Chevrolet claims results in high levels of stability and solidity.
Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe said the potential for meeting customer demand for the five-door Cruze hatchback is very significant for the company.
“We are selling the Cruze in 70 countries around the world and it has recently surpassed the Aveo as our top-selling passenger car nameplate globally.” The new Cruze hatchback will go on sale in Europe mid-2011. The company has not revealed the pricing details of the car.
We do not whether the Cruze hatchback would be launched in India or not. But if it comes, wouldn’t it light up the entire small car scene in the Indian market!
