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Chevrolet has issue a world recalled on the Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L turbo model. Statement from General Motors mentioned this, “A condition has been identified where, in some instances, the lower air deflector, also known as the belly pan, can catch oil that might drip from the engine if an oil change is not done properly. If oil makes contact with hot engine parts such as the exhaust manifold or catalytic converter, a fire could occur.”

This recall has affected an estimated figure of 475,000 Cruze. 10,000 of them are sold in Australia as their locally built and branded as Holden Cruze. The recall, classified as fire risk that could potentially cause those Cruze powered by 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine over a potential engine bay fire.  Again, we would like to stress on the point that this recall ONLY affects the Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L Turbo model.

While we went around to scout for some materials about this issue, we found this. The below video is believed has been recorded in the United States. The Chevrolet Cruze 1.4L turbo was burning in the streets and when the firemen arrived to attempt to put down the fire, there’s was an explosion.

Holden announced that the automaker will began testing and fine tuning the Cruze 5-door hatchback in Australia before its introduction later this year. Check out the photos of the new Holden Cruze hatchback that released by Holden. This car was designed by Holden’s design studio in Port Melbourne, Victoria.

The Cruze hatchback concept car was previewed by General Motors in early 2010 under Chevrolet’s badge. The new Holden Cruze hatch will be manufactured at GM’s Port Elizabeth plant in Adelaide, with the first examples expected to reach showrooms in the Q4 -2011.

The technical specification will be likely to be similar to the Cruze II sedan range.

Photo Gallery: Holden Cruze 5-door hatchback

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The hatchback version of Chevrolet Cruze will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, which officially begin on Tuesday, March 1^st. The new Cruze hatchback will also be offered with a new range of engines, with the range-topping diesel unit, with 163PS (161hp) and a standard six-speed manual transmission.

The Cruze Hatchback will go on sale in the UK in the summer of 2011, with prices and exact specifications to be confirmed nearer the time. Moreover, there’s a possibility that Chevrolet will put the new Cruze Hatchback in motorsport, as well.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

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After Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) confirming that they are currently considering the Cruze to work on during the launch of the E3 range. A lot of attention has been focusing on HSV now.

Recently, Go-Auto did an interview with HSV Managing Director Phil Harding, he confirmed that HSV was investigating a performance version of the Cruze.

The Cruze may use the same 213kw (286 hp) 2.0-litre twin-scroll turbo engine that intended to use on the upcoming Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VRX in late 2011. As both the new Astra and the Cruze are based on GM’s Delta II platform, it would be a comparatively simple job to transplant the engine from one to the other. However, he highlighted that HSV are looking at a couple of options as well.

Besides, the Cruze may also need suspension upgrades and front end modifications to handle the expected FWD torque steer, as its torsion beam rear suspension is not as sophisticated as the independent rear setup on competitors like the Ford Focus RS.

Photo Gallery: Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Show Car

Holden Special Vehicles or better known as HSV is confirming that they are currently considering a four-cylinder model to work on. Thus, Australia will likely to have a home-grown hot hatch within two years - An HSV version of the Cruze.

However, there is no report whether it will inherit the HSV version to the Chevrolet Cruze. We supposed this will be an exclusive model for Australian market.

The managing director of HSV, Phil Harding, confirmed the Cruze during launch of the E3 range (the E-Series 3 line-up of Commodore-based V8s), which will be built in South Australia from next year, was the “best option” for the company to break its V8-led mould.

Harding confirmed the brand was looking to expand beyond its large-car range, giving a hint a small car could be in HSV’s future. “We’re constantly on the lookout for that sort of stuff,” he said when quizzed about vehicles other than V8-powered derivatives of the Commodore.

On the other hand, four-cylinder engine are far from strange to HSV. One of the first cars it built in the late 1980s was a tweaked version of the Astra, the SV1800. More recently, HSV sold a turbocharged four-cylinder version of the Astra coupe, which it sold as the HSV VXR. The car was never a hot seller but opened the brand to new range of customers.

We hope that the Hatching Plans by HSV will built a success story with the upcoming HSV Cruze soon. Maybe a powerful 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will just sweet.