Baby Boomer with the potential to unseat the Commodore as Australia's favourite car is going on show at the opening of the Australian International Motor Show.
It's the Cruze hatchback, a versatile compact that was designed and developed at Fishermans Bend and will be built in Adelaide as GM Holden steps up its small car push.
The Cruze hatch will also do duty overseas as a Chevrolet.
The new car is much like the existing four-door sedan and promises the economy and efficiency that's missing from the full-sized Commodore.
The Cruze sedan was launched this year and in May topped the small car sales charts.
"Having such a great-looking hatch is really going to be a boost for sales," Holden managing director Mike Devereux said.
Holden designer Martin Love said he would be a keen observer when the public gets to see the hatch from 6pm today.
"We're very proud of the styling but the test comes when you see what the public thinks about it."
The Cruze will be one of 50 concepts and new vehicles, including a $750,000 Lamborghini Aventador, on show at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from tonight until Sunday week.
Holden expects the new Colorado to be the star of its motor show stand ahead of the car's launch in 2012.
Mr Devereux said the show car offered "more than a hint" of what buyers could expect next year.
The Barina and the Cruze Hatch are also likely to draw attention with sales scheduled to start later this year.
The Cruze hatch will be built alongside the sedan model in Adelaide which Mr Devereux said had been a stand-out success for the company, leading its segment last month.
"So we can't wait to see how customers in a hatch market like Australia respond to the car," he said.
"We think the hatch will hit a sweet spot with buyers looking for great design, versatility and practicality."
Mr Devereux said Holden also had plans for more segment-leading models next year, including the electric-powered Volt and the new mid-sized Malibu.
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