A domestic hot hatch for America and just $195 more than the sedan! Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – June 16, 2015 GM released base pricing on its 2017 Cruze Hatch. In base LT trim, it will be available for $22,190 including the $875 D&H fee. The all-new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback features all of the technologies and driving dynamics of the all-new 2016 Cruze sedan which we enjoyed but with the form factor that American’s have shunned in the past. And it is a looker! The Cruze Hatch rides on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase as the sedan but features a unique roof and rear-end structure – including wraparound taillamps and an integrated spoiler at the top of the hatch. Enough of a change that there is now 22.7 cu. ft of std. cargo space behind the rear seat and 47.2 cu. ft. with the seats folded down. That is compact CUV territory and for hopefully a lot less expense. 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatch More rigid and heavily tuned for a better driving experience. Aluminum is used in the strut and torsion beam suspension systems to optimize weight and handling characteristics. Interior The 2016 Cruze and 2017 Cruze hatch should have approximately the same passenger volume of 93.5 cu. ft. Maybe a little more with the hatch given the far less raked roof line towards the rear. Available features include a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, Athens leather-appointed seating surfaces, true French seams and halogen projector-beam headlamps with LED signature lighting. Drivetrain The Cruze includes a 153 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque 1.4L direct injected turbo with Stop/Start mated to a standard 6-speed six-speed AT. GM did not say if there would be an MT available but given consumer demand for the hand shaker, probably not. The 1.4L turbo features an aluminum cylinder block and head. Reduced friction, including low-friction piston rings, a low-friction camshaft drive and a low-friction oil pump also help improve its efficiency. GM says that the new turbocharged engine in the hatch is expected to deliver a 0 to 60 time of 8 seconds. GM did not provide an EPA estimate but I suspect w/ the AT, it will offer a 38 or 39 mpg highway rating. The 2017 Cruze Hatch will be offered in LT, Premier and RS trims. Infotainment Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the MyLink radio systems is the one key infotainment feature that makes the Cruze noteworthy whereas the available 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot is certainly a plus for some. The Teen Driver system is nice and the wireless charging Qi charging is the best in the business given our experiences with it in the 16 Cruze and 16 Silverado HD. Safety Lane Keep Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Park Assist are also available. Available Teen Driver feature helps support safe driving habits and offers driving statistics for parents. GM is scheduling the Cruze Hatch to reach Chevrolet dealership showrooms this fall.
All right ! Now , when can I go down to the Chevy dealer and buy this sweet hatch with 6MT diesel ? The silence is deafening. But it could happen , right ?
I don't believe diesel engines in passenger cars today have the technology to pass strict emission standards. It seems diesel engines today and in the future powering passenger cars are perhaps history. Already direct injection turbo charged gas engine running on 87 octane are approaching the efficiency standards of diesel engines without using urea injection or other expensive measures.
Hi Alster: The diesel emissions technology is already in them so that is not the hurdle. Cost and longevity of those components are however. Wayne
It is likely that direct-injection turbocharged gas engines will require at least particulate filters (GPF) to meet increasingly strict PM emission standards under LEV 3/Tier 3. That may impact not only the cost of after-treatment, but potentially the efficiency as well. In Europe, generally GDI vehicles without DPF are incapable of meeting Euro 6 particle number (PN) emission limits (miss by an average of one and a half orders-of-magnitude according to European government data).
