Report: 50 mpg diesel Chevrolet Cruze coming to U.S.
By Fred Meier, USA TODAY
Updated 2011-07-11 9:44 PM
General Motors via Wieck
The AP says the info came from two people briefed on the matter and that these people say the diesel Cruze would be rated about 50 miles per gallon (21 kilometers per liter) on the highway and help GM meet tightening government fuel-economy rules.
It'll need to do at least that to sell -- the Cruze Eco model is currently the highest-mileage conventional gasoline-powered car sold in the U.S., with a 42 mpg highway, and we at Drive On were able to get nearly 50 in one with careful highway driving recently.
One of the people says the diesel Cruze would not arrive until at least 2013, which would make it a 2014 model. GM's Holden unit in Australia sells there a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder diesel version of the Cruze. But so far, only German automakers have been promoting diesel cars in the U.S.: 22% of VW's sales last year were diesels.
Reluctance is in part because diesels cost more -- typically a couple thousand dollars -- and the people didn't know how much the diesel Cruze would cost. The Cruze with the Eco fuel-saving package starts at $18,425 plus shipping, $1,900 more than the regular base Cruze.
GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson would not comment.
Now, if we could just convince GM to give the U.S. the sleek and cool Cruze hatchback (below) that it sells pretty much everywhere else ....
By GM, Wieck
By Andrew Ganz
Friday, Jul 22nd, 2011 @ 9:37 am
Chevrolet
has finally confirmed a long-running rumor: Its Cruze compact sedan
will be offered with a diesel powertrain in the United States and Canada
in 2013.
That likely means that the Cruze diesel will show up on
dealer lots in about two years’ time – that’s about when the four-door
is due for a mild refresh.
Chevrolet is keeping mum about just what powerplant is in store for the diesel, although it’s safe to assume that we’ll get a federalized version of the European and Australian-market 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Designed by VM Motori, an Italian firm split 50/50 between GM and Fiat, the engine has been used in a variety of products overseas from various manufacturers.
In those markets that offer a diesel Cruze, the diesel is the range-topping powertrain. Rated at 161 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 236 lb-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, the diesel is substantially more powerful and torquey than the 1.4-liter 138-horsepower gas engine that tops the North American range.
Despite its power, the Cruze diesel is rated at about 41 mpg U.S. combined in European testing. That said, it’s difficult to compare European tests to those administered by the EPA.
Some changes will undoubtedly have to be made to make the diesel meet U.S. emissions standards, but a urea-based additive like those required for larger diesels probably won’t be necessary.
Look for more details about this new powertrain, the first diesel in a Detroit-badged compact car in decades, to emerge over the coming months.
Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-cruze-diesel.html
Chevrolet is keeping mum about just what powerplant is in store for the diesel, although it’s safe to assume that we’ll get a federalized version of the European and Australian-market 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Designed by VM Motori, an Italian firm split 50/50 between GM and Fiat, the engine has been used in a variety of products overseas from various manufacturers.
In those markets that offer a diesel Cruze, the diesel is the range-topping powertrain. Rated at 161 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 236 lb-ft. of torque at 2,000 rpm, the diesel is substantially more powerful and torquey than the 1.4-liter 138-horsepower gas engine that tops the North American range.
Despite its power, the Cruze diesel is rated at about 41 mpg U.S. combined in European testing. That said, it’s difficult to compare European tests to those administered by the EPA.
Some changes will undoubtedly have to be made to make the diesel meet U.S. emissions standards, but a urea-based additive like those required for larger diesels probably won’t be necessary.
Look for more details about this new powertrain, the first diesel in a Detroit-badged compact car in decades, to emerge over the coming months.
Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-cruze-diesel.html
