Chevy Cruze Diesel Entering Validation Production Next Week
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Insider sources have told GM Authority that the much-awaited diesel-powered Chevy Cruze will enter the validation stage of production as early as Monday, October 24, 2011.
The validation stage encompasses producing a small fleet of a vehicle to assess how well the plant — GM’s Lordstown Assembly, in this case — assembles the car and how the production line handles certain variations compared to the non-diesel-powered Cruzen. Usually, validation takes place less than a year before the vehicle is made available for final production and sale to the general public, meaning that we should expect to see the most efficient Cruze of them all sometime before the end of 2012, most likely for the 2013 model year.
Additionally, we expect the turbodiesel variant will use a 2.0-liter common rail diesel engine. Such a powerplant produces 160 horsepower and a very healthy 265 lb.-ft. of torque in the Holden-badged Cruze in Australia.
Last month, sources told GM Authority that the diesel-powered Cruze will wear the Eco-D nameplate, suggesting the vehicle’s positioning as a fuel-efficient Eco model set to do battle with VW’s Jetta TDI. Recently, GM CEO Dan Akerson called the Cruze diesel “great” and “quiet”.
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I very much look forward to the diesel Cruze. I’m a bit concerned about the “Eco” badge. That usually is code for “you can’t get all the options you want that are offered on the top line gas models because we don’t think anyone will pay for it.”
The VW Jetta TDI has one good thing: its powertrain. The rest is cheap, cut-rate plastics, switchgear, hinges, etc. You can’t automatic climate control on a Jetta or a Golf (unless its the R variant). No auto headlights, no power seats or sports seats, no rear view camera, no OnStar, etc.
I hope the diesel Cruze can be optioned with the same amenities as the gasoline Cruze.
Judging by the improvements in options/equipment to the 2012 Eco, I don’t think the options will be a problem for the Diesel. The only things not available anymore on the Eco that are available on the non-Eco models are the Z-link rear suspension, rear-wheel disk brakes, leather seating, and several upper-end amenities like push-button start, keyless/passive entry, RS appearance package, heated seats, auto climate control, and sunroof. Which actually add up to be quite a bit that’s not available. Plus, I personally dislike the Eco’s shiny-like-chrome wheels.
Even then, the Eco offers more options than the TDI, but at the expense of losing the sporty rear suspension and having thinner spot welds to lose the pounds. For now, give me a non-Eco Cruze 2LT with a stick and I’ll be fine. Conversely, a Jetta 2.5 or even GLI with a stick will be just fine as well.
Gee, Alex, you just listed ALL the options I want on a fuel efficient car. I’ll take 1 mpg less for the extra weight (which isn’t that much) of those options. There must be some disconnect between the Eco buyer and those who want BOTH the fuel economy and the nice stuff.
Yupp, right there with ya. I guess the real fuel-conscious (extremists?) don’t care about the features that much.
Well, I’d have to disagree a bit. I live in the Land of the Prius. On any given day of traffic, they surround you. People are buying the expensive versions, not the stripped entry level. I see Tesla Roadsters routinely. The green-thinking masses are going to gobble up the Prius v and Prius c when they come to market.
The Lexus CT200h sells out. So do the RX450h SUVs. All are pretty loaded with luxury features.
I see probably at least one Leaf or more a day if I’m out and around town. And I’ll see just as many Volts, if not more.
Mercedes has quiet a few BlueTEC diesel SUVs running around too. People fight for an Audi Q7 TDI or A3 TDI. Dealers don’t get many of them but they sell every one that shows up on their lots quickly.
People around LA are willing to pay the big premium for hybrids, electrics and clean diesels. It’s about appearances more than real care about the environment. The reduced fuel bill is just a nice bonus at the end of the month.
I should have phrased that differently. Fuel conscious buyers don’t care about features in *mainstream vehicles*. When it comes to premium/luxury, it’s a different story — as you pointed out.
That’s the reason for the Verano’s upcoming eAssist version due out in the next year or so. It will capture the premium market similar to that of the Lexus HS — while looking much better than that piece of… scrap metal..
I know it’s asking too much but make AWD and 5 door hatch an option and I’d be an instant buyer.
Unless GM (my employer) offers this thing in a 5 door version, I’ll be buying a Subaru XV next fall.
Oh yeah, Jeremy, forget it. No way will an AWD Eco-D 5-door Cruze be on the list of offerings.
You know, Subaru has been promising to bring a boxer diesel to its US line up for ages, but I don’t think that’s going to happen either.
The hatch is coming to Lordstown in the near future… but it will most likely offer only one engine choices — and it will not be the diesel.
In effect, what we see is a shrinking demographic with the hatch. Tack on a diesel and that shrinks even more (exponentially). Welcome to America!
That said, AWD is a necessity. Hopefully, we’ll see it in for the next-gen, as the current model can’t accomodate it.
Haha, yes, I know. I realized long ago that I’m too much of a niche buyer to really expect much from GM, which, let’s be honest…is pretty much a global car company which markets to the masses.
A diesel Subie would be a no-brainer for me, but I’d like to give GM a shot first since they write my paychecks. 🙂
If GM EVER falls off their rocker and not offer the Eco-D with rear discs I will likely go insane! I’m really keeping my fingers crossed because this car may very well be the next car I buy. It’s that important to me. And I shall NEVER buy another car that has drums at the rear. I don’t care how good the fuel economy is.
Richard, I agree with you. It’s almost an insult that any car still has rear drum brakes in this modern age. I don’t know the price difference between a drum and a disc brake but it’s got to be nearly nothing. What? $5 max? It’s a matter of safety too. If a car has ABS and electronic stability control, it should have rear disc brakes too.
Please am a GM buyer and have 2006 Buick Lacross 2004 Cadillac DTS 2004 GMC 1500 Z71 Time to replace all with a Wagon Cruz eco D So make a Wagon like VW.
But just a bit bigger and better overall quality ! In the market for 2013 or early 2014.
Note need Wagon 4 door sedan is not a option.