New Car: 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

General Motors is continuing its drive to build up the Chevrolet brand in Europe, and its new Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback is one of cars it is hoping will help with the effort. These are the first official photos of the production version of the Cruze hatch, which is making its debut at next week’s 2011 Geneva auto show.

GM says the Cruze hatch will launch with a new range of engines, likely meaning a mix of f gasoline and diesel I-4s introduced on the Cruze and Europe-only Orlando MPV. This is evidenced by GM’s confirmation that the range-topping turbodiesel unit will be the same 160-horsepower, 2.0-liter I-4 as in the Orlando coupled to a six-speed manual transmission.

European sales are scheduled to start this summer. While we’re unlikely to see this car in the States anytime soon, we wouldn’t bet against it possibly coming here at some point, especially when considering its main U.S. rival, the 2012 Ford Focus, is available in both hatch and sedan body styles.

Thanks to: Motor Trend