Holden part of smaller GM Cadillac hatch plan

GENERAL Motors has conceived a plan for a compact-sized Cadillac hatchback built off a new rear-wheel drive platform being devised by Holden in Australia, according to US automotive website Edmunds.com.

The website said GM product czar Bob Lutz was behind the plan, which will help boost awareness and sales in Europe.

Aimed at the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and other related rivals, the car will sit below Cadillac's current front-drive (and Saab-built) entry-level model, the BLS.

"We are looking at the possibility of rear-wheel drive, but nothing is decided just yet. (This layout) provides the best possible basis for agility," Mr Lutz said, adding it would also "be required to support four-wheel drive".

Holden's work on this platform, which is smaller than the Zeta architecture underpinning the VE Commodore, was first hinted at with the Torana TT36 concept shown in 2004.