GM to show a Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback at the Paris Auto Show... Will it come to the US?

Before the first 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Sedan has hit the streets (KARL Chevrolet expects our first new Cruze to arrive around Sept 10th), sketches have leaked out of a Cruze Hatchback variant that GM will display the the upcoming Paris Auto Show.

This stricking Hatchback does look European, but it sure looks like it would be right at home cruising the streets of Connecticut!  It is far too early for any official word.... but what do you think.... should GM consider bringing this model to the US?

Here are some details that appear on European websites:

Meet the Cruze that’s hatching big plans in Europe! This compact version of the Cruze will be unveiled at the Paris motor show at the end of this month, and is the second of four new cars that will feature on the American firm’s stand.

The Cruze hatchback will join the Orlando that we showed you last week, as well as a facelift of the Captiva SUV, and a new version of the Aveo. The fastback design has an almost Japanese flavour, and the car looks similar to the Subaru Impreza in profile, although the big wheels and LED running lights from the show car are likely to be dropped from the production model.  

The Cruze saloon has recently overtaken the Aveo to become Chevrolet’s best selling car globally, so to broaden its appeal and further boost sales this new hatch is set to offer great value for money and compete with the likes of the Kia C’eed and Hyundai i30.

The hatch will offer nearly 400 litres of boot space, and although that’s 50 less than the saloon, a 60/40 folding seat arrangement and bigger load space should ensure this is the most practical Cruze yet.

Wayne Brannon, Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe, said that by offering a hatch back variant they were “sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe."

The current Cruze comes in S, LS and LT trims, and the new car will continue to offer the familiar line-up of four-pot engines from  the saloon. That means either a 1.6 or a 1.8-litre with 112bhp or 139bhp. The diesel option is a 2.0L with 123bhp, and 300Nm of torque.

Prices should remain broadly the same as the current range, although the hatchback could end up costing less than its stable mate, starting at around £13,000 for the 1.6i S when it goes on sale mid-way through next year.