Auto Review More emotion for Cruze

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More emotion for Cruze

• Published: 24/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: Life

The five-door Cruze, first seen at last year's Paris motor show, could be joining the saloon version in Thai showrooms to boost the emotional factor of Chevrolet's new C-segment model range.

Five-door hatch prioritises style over function.

According to executives of Chevrolet Sales (Thailand), the hatch would serve as a great package to highlight Cruze's exterior and interior design - one of its main selling points.
Although the saloon's 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engines, plus the 2.0-litre diesel-turbo, are obvious candidates for the five-door, a 1.6-litre petrol-turbo could be considered for the hatch.
"It [Cruze hatch] doesn't necessarily have to come with logical engines. It should be sold as an emotional choice in the Cruze range - and that means fun styling and fun performance," noted one executive.
With some 150hp on tap, it is good enough to have the hatch compete in the one million baht sector where Ford and Mazda are also selling hatchbacks but with normally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol engines.
It is known that Mazda has enjoyed success in selling hatchbacks in Thailand by appealing to those who like styling and something different from a saloon.
Whether the Thai Chevrolet office will replace the Optra estate with the new Cruze estate (yet to be unveiled anywhere around the globe) remains to be seen. The Americans are now contemplating either the hatch or estate as the second Cruze for Thailand.
"The estate still remains unrivalled in the Thai market and has been attracting buyers needing practicality," said the executive, adding: "Wait and see [for the new Cruze estate]. It is really good-looking, too."Auto Review , auto shipping reviews.