Vauxhall/Opel Announce 53 MPG 2013 Astra GTC BiTurbo
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If you’re an American diesel enthusiast and you’re hoping to go through your day without being depressed, don’t read this article.
Vauxhall, pronounced Opel in German, recently released images and specifications of a new engine for the Astra GTC family. That engine will be a 195 horsepower (195 PS), 2.0L BiTurbo diesel that will pack a low-revving 295 ft.-lb. (400 NM) gut punch of torque.
In the quest for better fuel economy without sacrificing the fun to drive nature of ICE engines, Opel-Vauxhall has created a powerplant that achieves 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, a top speed of 139 mph, and a combined 53.3 mpg on the Euro-Cycle.
The unique part about the 2.0 liter BiTurbo is the dual turbo set-up. The first turbo offers 258 ft.-lbs. (350 Nm) of torque at a mere 1,500 rpm while the larger turbo spools up at 1,750-2,500 rpm to create the full 295 lb.-ft. sensation.
The starting price for the GTC BiTurbo in Great Britain will be £23,925 (that’s a hefty $37,677 USD) – a premium of £995 over the conventional GTC 2.0 CDTi (diesel) 165PS model. This engine is of course only available in the European market and in its current form does not meet emission standards for the U.S. Hopefully exciting diesels like this will make it to the North American market in the near future. Perhaps this is a glimpse of what we can expect from a diesel-powered Cruze? Let’s hope so.
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The Astra makes the Cruze look like a 6 year old vehicle! Love that wagon. Would be perfect replacement for my HHR. Guess we’ll never see anything this nice in US.
How about a simple Cruze hatch? Ironically, the Cruze is a 5 year-old vehicle thanks to its late North American introduction.
The is a Cruze hatch. It’s designed and built in Australia under the Holden badge, GM’s Australian division. Just Google Holden Cruze Hatch.
I can’t get past the price. I’d rather get a volt at that price
I love the look of all of the body styles shown in the photo. Why can’t we have a selection like this from GM for the U.S.? I’ve read all kinds of excuses — no market, production costs, etc. But it’s not like GM needs to re-invent anything here. How would this be different from VW and their decision to sell the Golf in the U.S.? Just plop in an engine approved for the U.S. and ship it over. Then, when it’s been shown that they sell (because they won’t be cheap cars that fall apart), we can build them in a U.S. factory. Americans get employed and we either get a cheaper car or GM gets a bigger profit.
I like the Astra, but I would rather see a Cruze range in those four body styles, if not five:
- sedan
- 5 door hatch
- 3 door hatch
- coupe
- 5 door wagon
Now, the sedan, 5 door hatch, and wagon are already available elsewhere, so it’s just a matter of bringing the latter two Stateside. Then, the remaining items are to make the coupe and 3 door hatch… and bring them here.
Opel will be moving usenet in the near future, placing its Buick-afied offerings out of reach of mainstream vehicle buyers.
There is something about the Cruze hatch that just does not look right. It seems like it is rear-weighted but chopped off. I think it’s that the windshield does not slope like the Astra. On the other hand, the Cruze wagon looks better than the Astra wagon to my eye.
My hope is that the Cruze hatch will have a serious refresh if it ever does come here. The engine and transmission in the current sedan are behind the competition. I don’t really care though since I would buy the diesel anyway, unless of course that turns out to be as dated as the look of the current sedan. In fact most sedans look dated to me after seeing the more rounded and aerodynamic look of the Elantra. That would be the look of choice if I didn’t need to use the roof. As it is, bring me the GMC Granite.
Yeah, I can understand where the rear of the Cruze hatch is a bit funky. I don’t mind it, but can see how some would.
In regards to the engine and tranny being outdated, the Cruze — ironically — still gets best-in-class fuel economy with a somewhat aged transmission and what I would describe as an antiquated engine (1.4T). Good thing is that a range of all-new four-bangers is on its way, so we won’t be saying that for long.
But even with the aged powertrain, the Cruze still handles better than anything in its class — especially the Elantra, which is devoid of any kind of driving excitement, let alone refinement. And to that end, the Elantra’s more rounded shape doesn’t make it any more aerodynamic than the Cruze Eco; but it sure as heck is a lot more feminine to my eye.
Anyway, I really can’t wait to see the Cruze made into a full range and to get the all-new powertrains.
Alex, did I miss an article? When are we going to see these new powertrains? The 1.4T seems strategic at this point. Its going into new cars (Sonic RS and Encore) that are still a year away. Changes to the powertrain don’t normally come right after introduction, so are we looking at 2017 or something for a better engine in the Encore?
As for Cruze handling, I can’t speak from experience, but the reviewers seem to give the handling edge to the new Mazda 3. The Focus Fanatics might argue with you as well. It’s not a fair comparison given that the Cruze has been out a while, but I don’t think you could say the Cruze is better at this point for a person looking to put the car through the curves. I would not doubt though that the Cruze might be a more quiet and comfortable ride over the bumps, but that’s not really what most think about when the topic is “handling.” Taken to an extreme, I tend to think of what it’s like to drive my MINI Cooper. A car like the Mazda 3, like my MINI, is designed to have more steering precision and feel, controlling a chassis that is more stable during “spirited” driving.
I don’t mean to keep harping about the 3 but if we’re using terms like Best in Class fuel economy we need to look at some numbers. The numbers say the new SKYACTIV equipped cars not only get slightly higher gas mileage, but do it with more horsepower driving a lighter car that accelerates faster. Only the Cruze ECO with a manual transmission, low rolling tires, shutters, and a few other mods can do better, but this is also at the cost of acceleration. As few people buy manuals, I don’t think its fair to claim Best in Class. The Elantra and Mazda 3 both do better with automatic transmissions, which is what the vast majority will purchase. The great thing about the 3 transmission is that it is dry clutch when you need it. If paired with a smaller engine like that in the heavier Cruze I would put my money on the Mazda to come out ahead in a fuel economy battle.
The bottom line here is that the Cruze is now a cycle behind some of its major rivals. It needs that new powertrain and those other body styles, like yesterday! And I don’t know if you’re insinuating a transmission upgrade, but isn’t it time GM gave us some new technology like the others? Its automatics still drag on the engine, and that means a loss in fuel economy, acceleration, or both.
Well, there’s the new 1.6T coming in the next year with DI and 200 horses:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/05/opel-announces-all-new-1-6l-turbo-engine-range/
As far as the Cruze goes, I wouldn’t characterize it as being a full generation behind the likes of the 3. Sure, it needs a new engine, but even then, the fuel economy numbers are still the best on the ECO and slightly worse than the 3 on the non-ECO, albeit with less power — as you mentioned. In that regard, a new set of powertrains can’t hurt — and they are on the way.
As far as handling goes, I’d highly recommend you drive one and judge the handling for yourself, but the Cruze simply feels “right”, especially when pushed.
One thing that I took away this week from speaking to a few folks from GM (not in PR) is that this company is out to win; they’re very aware of the competition and they’re out for all of them. We’ll have a story about this within the next couple of days
I hope you’re listening/looking now Chevrolet!
GM wants to cut costs, close US design studios and import Holdens and Opels. End of problem!
What gives you that impression? For the most part, GM is producing where it’s selling… and designing, engineering, and developing globally — which results in a better product compared to an insular nation-centric corporate culture.
Alex, You’re not going to tell me that you wouldn’t rather have something from Opel or Holden, discounting Camaro and Vette, over any US GM product?!
Holden doesn’t make unique products with the exception of the Zeta-based trio. So the rest of the Holden lineup are Chevys.
As for Opel, those are clearly premium vehicles. Like VWs were before VW decided to start chasing global volume and moving downstream in price and quality (not necessarily a bad thing, mind you). So no, I would rather have any of the new and upcoming Chevys and would also like to see the range expanded, especially when it comes to Cruze body variants and performance versions.
Alex, You proved my point. Holdens may be Chevys …BUT, they have so many more choices like you pointed out with the Cruze! The US is sedans, sedans, sedans! Is there a new Colorado here? NO. Is there a Chevy UTE? NO. Any wagons what so ever? NO. So a Holden may be a Chevy, but US has half the choices Aus. does. The Opels may be premium, but I don’t have them as an option. New and up coming don’t help me now. The new Chevys are maybes and somedays.
The U.S. has three Zeta-based Holdens that are not available, which will become two with the launch of the Chevy SS Sedan.
That leaves the Ute, which is not a desirable vehicle and has sold in low volumes anywhere it gas sold… and the Caprice/Statesman — whose for all purposes equivalent is the new Impala, which is much better.
So that’s really a wash. Then you mention the Colorado, which happened to have launched outside NA first, but will be here soon; and the Cruze hatch — which will come over as well, although we’re not clear on the timing.
Ultimately, I think you’re missing the woods for the forest. GM is about to embark on the biggest product offensive in its history, and the effects of the reorganization — which are still noticeable — will only be diminished from here on out.
All the market inequalities and unavailabilities we see today will dissipate as it relates to Chevrolet, perhaps with the exception of a few market-specific models/variants (Cruze wagon, Chevy Trax, full-size trucks, and full-size sedans).
Also, the US has twice as many choices as the Australians do. Think about 1) full-size trucks, 2) Heavy Duty trucks, 3) Impala, 4) Traverse, 5) full-size SUVs, 6) Corvette, 7) Camaro, 8) Express vans. These models do not make sense there, just as the Ute doesn’t make sense here.
The only model that we can certainly say needs to be here but isn’t is the Cruze hatch. If Mazda, Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Toyota can all make the compact hatch market work in the States, there is no reason that Chevy can’t. Outside of that, I see no reason to assume that market-specific models like the Cruze wagon and Holden Ute will be even mildly successful here.
The demise of the wagon in this country, at least what one can buy new, is interesting. The wagon owner of old is today’s SUV/CUV owner. Based on what people tell me, I think it has everything to do with being able to see better by being elevated — not just to see down the road, but to see over the hood of an SUV or truck in the lane to the left while trying to turn right at an intersection. That’s really sad, because the extra weight for the elevated vehicle is such a waist of fuel, and being elevated is a safety risk in terms of handling and stability.
I can only hope that the trend will change, but the force behind such change will likely be a negative one — higher fuel prices and/or reduced consumer purchasing power. The latter we have seen quite dramatically over the last 3 years. If the fortunes of people do not start to reverse, then when the used vehicle supply runs its course we will begin to see a change in consumer tastes. Let’s hope GM won’t be left behind when that happens. I see a future America that will be more like the rest of the world, as will our cars.