Rumormill: American Chevrolet Cruze To Offer Diesel Engine By 2013 Model Year
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Finally, we will see a domestic automaker offering a diesel engine in a compact car. And the car happens to be the Chevrolet Cruze. At least that’s what the latest word is.
According emerging reports, a diesel engine will make its way to the American Cruze no sooner than the 2013 model year, which would most likely end up being a variant of the 2.0L common rail I-4 common rail diesel seen in the European and Australian-spec Cruze models that currently produces 160 horsepower and 270 pounds-feet of torque and comes with either a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined fuel economy for the diesel is an astonishing 42 MPG (converted from the British combined fuel economy rating of 50.4 MPG).
Aside from the Volkswagen Jetta, the 2013 Cruze could be the only compact sedan in the U.S. to offer a diesel engine, and the only one that will be built within the borders of the Red White and Blue, under the roof the Lordstown, OH assembly plant.
How much will the engine option cost? Will it even sell? Well, the rumor has to be officially confirmed that the Cruze will even get an oil-burner before we can answer those questions.
Source: Cheers and Gears
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It’s nice to have the option, but my choice would still be the gas version. Even though the fuel economy is way up, the infrastructure simply is not there yet. In my town and most places I go, stations usually only have 2-3 diesel/gas pumps with the rest being gas only. And many times you will have drivers in gasoline cars using those pumps even when gas only pumps are free, I know I’m guilty of this.lol
But it’s a great way to gauge the market to see if it can be a viable solution. And since around the world most Cruze’s are probably diesel anyway, it can’t be costing GM that much in terms of R&D for NA diesels, since they just need to rework an existing powerplant. And the reliability will definitely be there.
I can see why filling up a diesel could be a problem, and I’m not disagreeing with you, but NA diesel engines just aren’t viable, they don’t have the kind of horsepower needed to travel at highway speeds.
I’ll believe it when I see it. The big three are famous to bring news about a diesel car or truck coming to America within 1-2 years only to have it shot down due to a “lack of interest” on the consumers part. We (the USA) have been waiting for a long time, but the Germans have been working on them. We’ll see if it’s just another lie.
Well, it may not be a “lie” but it could be something they’re considering (which may be true) but — after market research, etc — they may decide against it. So it’s not like they’re promising it outright and then canning it.
That said, I’m a huge proponent of a diesel-powered Cruze. My 1.4 liter turbo Cruze is weak off the line and I find it searching for gears on the auto tranny as well. It needs a diesel with a huge torque number as well as a stick!
the problem with diesel is most self service fuel stations look like a toxic waste dump around the diesel pump. since spilled diesel does not evaporate there is always spilled fuel and oil dry around the diesel pump. when i fill my gasoline car i stay away from the islands that have both gas and diesel pumps because you will get that mess on your shoes and track it into your car. also diesel is $.30/$.40 a gallon more than regular gasoline so you have to do the math plus the extra cost of the diesel to see if it will be a $$$ wise decision to buy a diesel