Chevrolet CruzeChevrolet is set to unveil a hatchback edition of its Cruze family car, at the Geneva motor show on March 1.

The new car looks little different from the five-door concept first seen at the Paris motor show last autumn – Chevrolet has no plans to offer a three-door version.

Chevrolet hasn’t yet released prices or specifications, but claims the Cruze will be offered with a new range of engines, including a 160bhp 2-litre diesel, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

The small family hatchback class is fiercely contested in the UK, thanks to a range of extremely capable such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf.

To make an impact on such a competitive segment, the Chevrolet Cruze will have to be very capable as well as significantly cheaper than its key rivals, to tempt potential buyers.

The Cruze stands a good chance of this, as the car, based on the Vauxhall Astra platform, has been well received in saloon form, thanks to its practicality, comfort and value.

The Cruze will join three other new Chevrolets this summer. These are the the Orlando, Captiva and Aveo, the latter two coming in second-generation form.

By Richard Dredge