New Cruze hatch in Paris

The five-door hatch version of Chevrolet's Cruze small car will be unveiled at this year's Paris motor show in October.

GM confirmed the pre-production showcar's appearance late this week.

The Cruze hatchback will extend the Chevrolet-badged small car's appeal in Europe, according to GM, and confirms Chevrolet is a "serious player" in that market.

The maker says that in European countries the small car segment accounts for over a quarter of sales, and of those, hatchbacks make up 65 per cent of favoured models.

The Cruze sedan is currently out-selling the brand's cheaper Aveo model, according to Wayne Brannon, president and managing director of Chevrolet Europe. It has been on sale since 2009 in Europe.

"Cruze is turning out to be a real success story. We are selling it in 70 countries around the world and it has recently surpassed the Aveo as our top selling passenger car nameplate globally.

The hatchback was designed in Melbourne at the Holden Design Studio. GM says the facility is an important 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."

Chief designer of the Efigy showcar, Richard Ferlazzo said the project had been a significant undertaking for the studio which had spent more than 12 months working with GM designers from around the world developing the hatch variant.

"Our brief was to create an alternative body style to the traditional sedan that retained the same dynamic proportions that has made Cruze such a success around the world," Ferlazzo said.

"We are very proud of the result which will be tailored further for the Australian market and given an appearance consistent with the rest of the Holden portfolio next year."

The Cruze hatch will be produced in Australia for the local market next year. It will built using the maker's new body-frame integral system (BFI) which results in high levels of stability and solidity, says Chevrolet.

Cargo capacity for the Cruze hatchback is close to 400 litres and will feature 60/40 split rear seating.

Chevrolet is unveiling four models at Paris, including the Cruze and seven-seat SUV, the Orlando -- not destined for Australia -- and Spark Woody Wagon. The updated Captiva will also appear.

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