High-Performance Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Is ‘For Sure’ A Possibility
9
Sponsored Links
It’s a segment Chevrolet has sat out of for much too long. The hatchback market continues to grow at a healthy pace, and we think the 2017 Chevrolet Cruze hatch should be welcomed with open arms from across consumer bases. But, what about the enthusiast?
Chevrolet scored a cult classic with the Cobalt SS years ago. It’s still sourced, tuned up and prodded around by a younger demographic the brand would certainly love to appeal to today. And, while most of those young guys and gals spend their millennial monies on a Focus ST, Chevy has nothing to offer. Maybe that’s about to change.
During the 2016 North American International Auto Show, Car Advice had a few words with Chevrolet Executive Vice President Alan Batey. Bates first described the Cruze hatch saying, “we’ve really positioned this as sporty, and to appeal to those young, fashion-conscious consumers that are looking for something in the compact segment.”
Excellent, now we have our target audience. So, how about the go-fast stuff? When asked about a hotter Cruze hatchback with performance goodies, Batey replied “Yes, for sure, for sure.” Optimism runs deep.
But, he seemed to backtrack on his words in following remarks, but blurted out typical PR jargon in saying, “We’ve got nothing to announce at this point apart from what we’ve said today.”
We think that’s just enough to begin the rumormill churning on a proper successor to the Cobalt SS.
Sponsored Links
What he means was, that there would be an RS appearance pack, a Midnight edition, and Redline edition, etc.
Ha yeah no doubt….all that but there won’t be a 2.0T LNF motor. or better suspension.
I don’t think Mark Ruess would put out a subpar performance model. I think it will get the suspension and power it needs or else it will be destroyed by a focus.
Dale, did you see the Focus RS hatch is now available in the US. It has 350 HP coming from the 2.3L Ecoboost. So I pretty much think the Cruze Hatch performance model may be decent- but will probably be “destroyed by the Focus”.
2016 FOCUS RS link below for US version from the Ford website.
http://shop.ford.com/build/focus/?gnav=header-cars#/config/Config%5B%7CFord%7CFocus%7C2016%7C1%7C1.%7C.P3T…..HAT.GAS.RET.RS.~FOCUS-RS.%5D
We can’t compare these until they both have performance models to see how Chevrolet will execute their idea of performance.
Just look at the new Camaro SS, Mustang owners are very familiar with their tail lights.
How does one get “for sure” and “a possibility” to get in bed with each other considering they conflict each other?
It’s a definite maybe!
Why does it always have to be “hot hatch”? How about some love for those of us that prefer sedans too?
There’s always the possibility as dropping the 260 horsepower turbocharged 2.0L 4-cyl engine and 8-speed automatic transmission from Chevy’s Malibu into the Cruze Hatchback SS for a price of about $25K or considerably less than Ford’s Focus RS.
“We think that’s just enough to begin the rumormill churning on a proper successor to the Cobalt SS.”
There is a proper successor to the Cobalt SS, it is the same price and same motor, only it is now offered in RWD. It’s called the Camaro 2.0T and it is cheaper than the Ford Focus ST. The Ford Focus RS costs a little more than an LT1 powered Camaro SS. Fan boys like to say the Focus RS is a better car, can be daily driven in the winter and so on, but if you can afford a car at that price, I’d think you could afford to keep your previous car as a DD winter car imo..
I do agree Chev should definitely put the 2.5 NA or 2.0t in the Cruze hatch, AWD and so on, but there must be a ceiling on how much these GTI hot-hatches can cost before the “just buy a Hellcat” comments kick in..