Diesel Chevy Cruze Headed to the U.S. Market?

There is almost zero chance that GM brings a manual equiped diesel over. Maybe we get the diesel, but no way GM is willing to double down on the risk and offer it with a manual.

Very strong probability of manual with the diesel, and the manual in the Cruze is very good.

seems like a smart choice considering the lack of entries in this field.

As of this fall, Chevy will have 3 variations of six speed manual transmissions in the Cruze.

1. LS with 1.8 L
2. ECO with 1.4 L turbo
3. 1LT and 2LT with 1.4 turbo

Based on this, I think that there would be a manual with the diesel.

Can you imagine a 163 hp/266 ft.lb of torque in a Cruze? Probably not likely, unless they put on an SSD emblem.

@moparbad: I hope that you are right and they do offer it, not that it would matter to me since my wife wouldn't let me buy a manual for our only car. I have to stick to my '77 Honda CB550 for shift-it-myself pleasure.

I don't think GM can compete with VW unless they improve the rough nature of the Cruze's diesel. According this Australian review:

(http://www.themotorreport.com.au/50616/2010-holden-cruze-cdx-diesel-road-test-review)

The engine is "clattery" from outside and have an "old-school diesel rattle" from the inside while accelerating. It also didn't achieve the fuel economy Holden claim it would during the test.

I haven't driven the latest VW Jetta Diesel, but the last generation was very refined. You had to really paid close attention to know that you're driving a diesel.

I'd love this more if it were in a hatch or wagon.

Offering a diesel Cruze would certainly open up diesel to more mainstream consumers. Of course I would give it a look for my next econobox.

"but I'm not driving a Ford Falcon today, am I?"

While we can't possibly know what you're doing today (maybe you're Down Under, or like '60s American cars?) I'd say the chances are higher that you, an automotive journalist, are driving a Ford Falcon than the average Joe Commuter.

I think they need to put the smaller diesel in it, and give the Insight/Prius a run for the money for this to make any sense. Unfortunately, the already have a 40mpg Cruze and this needs to top that.

I think the people who want a sporty diesel only want one because they can't have it, or paper numbers. There a dozen sporty compact cars that would violate a 260lb/ft170hp Cruze. That would just be another fail for diesels, to try that.

@titancrew: http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/07/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-high-mpg-low-refinement.html

It's almost like Takahashi anticipated your post. The newest TDI has the same problems.

This would be awesome. I think diesel is a much more realistic way to get better mpg numbers than a hybrid. And with VW trying to take the lead as the biggest OE, it would be good for someone else to at least compete in this segment. As for the G8, I really think that car would have made a signifigant impact if it had been introduced at a different time. Kind of like giving birth to a hero in the middle of a warzone, right before the bunker explodes.

Considering the Cruze Eco already gets 28/42 MPG, I don't see the point. A Jetta TDI gets 30/42 MPG, but it's slower, pollutes more, and diesel is more expensive.

Performance diesels and hybrids don't sell in the US. If they want it to succeed, then give it the 99g/km 1.7 CDTI from the Astra EcoFLEX.

The biggest reason Europe drives more diesels is because of European tax structure....not because they are better. Gasoline engines would be more popular if they werent forced by taxation to buy diesels.... With the price of diesel fuel here and the extra cost for a diesel engine there is no economic benefit to them now. They dont offer a superior driving experience (unless you are into 0-40 acceleration). Maybe if taxes go up a lot on gasoline then there will be a benefit but not now.

I'm glad one of the domestic manufacturers finally has the stones to test a diesel here in the States, although I really wish it would were Ford trying it with the Focus. Maybe if the Cruze is a hit?

I do find this strategy curious. Isn't GM supposed to be leading the way with dies-otto technology? If dies-otto holds so much promise, what's the point in bringing over an old school oil burner?

I hope it's the more powerful of the two diesels. It would definitely make up for not having an SS version if they offer a stick.

moorewr: "Simple reason too - diesels are fun to drive!"

Really? Please explain.

For the complication of a diesel, you may as well go with the complication of ecoboost The best of both worlds and better utilization of a barrel of oil.

On a side note, if biodiesel can truly become practical on a large scale, I may change my tune.

The turbo outweighs the need for a diesel. Unless the diesel offers substantially better fuel economy to cover the price difference of a gallon of diesel and the price premium at the lot, I don't see GM bringing any small diesels over here anytime soon. Diesels work were diesel fuel is cheaper, the U.S. is not one of them. Hybrids sell like hotcakes while diesels trickle to the in the know enthusiast, whom are very few in numbers.

People won't like me for saying this, but I don't think they should bring the more powerful diesel over unless it can match the eco numbers. The smaller one will probably be more fuel efficient, hopefully with the eco aero tricks to make it get something like Insight mileage, they just have to really work on the refinement and do a limited roll out at first. There are some areas where diesel is no more or not much more expensive than regular gasoline, and those are the areas it needs to be rolled out first. I lived in the Maryland Suburbs of DC where you could find diesel ranging from a little cheaper than 87 octane to a little more pricey than 93 octane, alot of places had it what midgrade was.

And maybe if it is a success we will see Volt Diesels as a more fuel efficient engine option since the current engine already takes premium.

How about a five door option/wagon with the diesel?

how about the hatchback version? Or will Americans not buy that still?