When Chevy released images of the Chevy Cruze hatchback that they'd be bringing to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, I was impressed. I dig hatchbacks and hoped they'd bring it here. And when I blogged it over on the LTRTB, one of our loyal readers called me out, "Give it up on the diesels." And I agreed, "Do I really think GM will spend the time and money to make guys like me consider one instead of rushing to the only outlet (VW) who will give up the oil burners? Nope."
The thing is, according to GM Inside News, sources with GM have confirmed a North American diesel option for the 2013 Chevy Cruze. GM currently employs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the Holden Cruze CDX. That engine makes 147 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque while returning 34 mpg.
Test mules are said to be roaming Detroit as we speak. The engine Production of the engine is set to begin next year.
Now, put it in a hatchback and give the Golf a good run...
In-car video of a Cruze Diesel accelerating after the jump.
( GM Inside News )
kevm14 says:
05:27 PM, 02/21/11
Wow that's 133mph.
Whatever diesel they go with it needs to be the most refined they can source and should be the best example of diesel torque and efficiency. It helps that it has about 10 more hp than the 1.4T. It's almost as if that was some sort of strategy, but I think they'll be releasing at least one new gas engine before this diesel. And direct injection for the 1.4T.
moorewr says:
05:37 PM, 02/21/11
Manual Transmission Or Bust
Get that right and Chevy will sell me the first American car in my family since the Buick Straight Eight.
kevm14 says:
06:13 PM, 02/21/11
Some say this would also be a big deal:
http://steeringnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Chevrolet_Cruze_Station_Wagon_1.jpg
Also, for a torquey, rpm-challenged engine, I personally prefer automatics, unless there is some significant economy to be had with the manual.
eldaino2 says:
07:51 PM, 02/21/11
Kevm14: and more than likely that's not the case, as automatics, be it regular engines or diesels, usually yield better mpg. Vw's diesels seem to support that too
firstwagon says:
08:07 PM, 02/21/11
eldaino2
Only on paper. If you drive with a feather on the pedal and let it upshift super short then an automatic may indeed beat a manual.
In the real world... not likely.
litewerk says:
03:56 AM, 02/22/11
If that rumour or alleged confirmation is to be believed, this is truly exciting news. After many years of VW being the only game in town for diesel fans, this would only be good. I'd want a 5 or 6-speed manual, but could probably accept an automatic. Outstanding torque coupled with really great fuel economy should help to generate more converts to diesels. If this really comes to fruition, Chevy will need to advetise this available engine and it's attributes if they expect to sell many. One being a greater potential range on a full tank, compared to most gasoline fueled vehicles.
Have heard some on here and other inline sites complain about the lack of gas stations offering diesel. From my experience, in this part of the country the vast majority of gas stations, as well as truck stops, offer diesel. I can't think of a time I've gotten fuel anywhere in the past 10 years where diesel wasn't available at one or more pumps.
Rereading the article as written, I've noted that it says it would become available for the North American market. Sadly, that could be limited to only the Canucks, and not those of us in the good old U.S. of A. Will hope for the best.
1487 says:
08:07 AM, 02/22/11
I'm surprised but it will certainly help Chevy's image amongst the small, but loyal band of import driving diesel lovers. I don't see big sales for this car, especially if diesel prices stay above regular gas- but there are some who will be excited.
lostboyz says:
08:37 AM, 02/22/11
well considering it will cost $2k over base engine, fuel costs more, and that 34mpg combined isn't that good I doubt it will sell in high numbers. Good to see variety though.
blueprint1 says:
09:25 AM, 02/22/11
As a canuck, I can attest that this will be big news up here. If all cars offered diesels, the take rate here would be similar to Europe's. A steady 50% TDI take rate has been observed for years for Golfs and Jettas.
As for fuel prices, typically diesel here is a bit LESS expensive than regular, with 5-10% savings frequent in Quebec. Regular is 4.70$ per US Gallon right now...
ed124c says:
09:43 AM, 02/22/11
@lostboyz: Yeah, but what about that torque? Zero to sixty is passe', but taking off fast at the light is not. My girlfriend's Jetta TDI automatic is really quick off the line.
stovt001 says:
10:30 AM, 02/22/11
With diesel prices the way they are now, it is a tricky proposition. Assuming both new rumored diesels for the US are true - Mazda's Sky-D and this one from Chevy - I can see this going one of two ways. Either the increased diesel demand would add even more strain on our less-than-generous diesel supply, leading to even higher prices and imploding the whole thing in the US altogether, or due to the increased demand we shift our outlook on diesel, creating supply and pricing structures similar to Europe, leading to even greater diesel acceptance. This could get interesting.
csubowtie says:
11:37 AM, 02/22/11
I think it's exciting. Personally I would still hold out for the SS, but then again, I'm not into the whole eco thing. My wife was even commenting on how she thinks we need more deisel cars around cuz they are more eco friendly than hybrids (she doesn't really care about cars, but she's heard a few anecdotes about small deisel mpgs in Europe and talk about lifecycles of Hummers vs. Priuses (Priuss, Prii?).
csubowtie says:
11:39 AM, 02/22/11
Now that's funny. After I posted here, wondering what the plural of Prius is, I scrolled down to find the answer. What a coincidence.
hopster says:
12:52 PM, 02/22/11
I would think that an eAssist version with appeal to a much broader spectrum of the US market and get very similar mileage numbers to this diesel considering that the much larger Buick Regal is rated at 26/37 and runs on cheaper regular gasoline. Hopefully there are enough diesel fans that actually put there money where there mouth is...
mr42hh says:
02:36 AM, 02/23/11
The 147hp engine in the European Cruze is history, they have a new 163hp version out. With the 6-speed automatic it gets 6.6 l/100km (36 mpg) in the European cycle (same as a 335d in the Euro cycle...).
With the manual it's a bit better at 5.6 l/100km (42 mpg).
This is a lot worse than what a a comparable 2.0 TDI Jetta gets in the Euro cycle (44 mpg with the DSG, 48 mpg manual)
The engine is an older VM-Motori designed 2.0L diesel that has nothing to do with the Fiat-sourced 2.0L diesel found in Opels.
http://www.chevrolet.de/modelle/cruze/ausstattungen-und-tech-daten.html
1487 says:
05:40 AM, 02/23/11
latest update says this has been denied by the factory reps and GM brass. No decision has been made to bring this diesel to the US.