cars news 10: Spied: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Caught Testing on U.S. Soil

Earlier this year, it was rumored that General Motors would be bringing the Chevrolet Cruze hatchback to the U.S. to better compete with other models in the compact segment, and now, we’ve caught the hatch model testing in full camouflage at GM’s Milford Proving Grounds.

Back in 2013, GM product chief Mark Reuss stated that the reason the U.S. never got the hatchback model was due to a “pre-bankruptcy planning mistake,” which now seems to be rectified. The camo’d hatchbacks were photographed as they left the proving grounds to hit public roads, looking nearly ready to compete with the top hatches in the segment, the Ford Focus and Mazda3.

We expect the new hatchback to keep the same engines found under the hood of the 2016 Cruze sedan, including the new 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, which will be paired with either a six-speed manual or six-speed auto. A new diesel engine is in the works for the Cruze lineup, which GM claims is the world’s quietest diesel. It’s currently used in a few Opel models in Europe, and will make its way to the U.S. next year.

In terms of styling, the Cruze hatchback features subtle changes. The grille still features the same layout as the sedan variant, with the upper grille wearing the signature Chevrolet bowtie, but the lower grille looks like it receives horizontal slats over a honeycomb design. At the rear, the taillights seem to extend onto the side panels, but with the way the camouflage is laid out, it’s difficult to tell if they follow the same design as the sedan.

The new model is expected to hit showrooms sometime next year as a 2017 model, most likely coinciding with the arrival of the new 1.6-liter diesel engine.

Photo Source: KPG Photography