General Motors has offered diesel-powered cars all over the world sans North America over the years, but things are going to change next year when the company launches the Chevy Cruze diesel for the 2014 model year. And from the sound of things, advocates of oil-burners are going to be in for a treat. As will everyone who loves extraordinary fuel economy numbers.
From the little information General Motors has gone official with, we know that this Cruze will cradle an all-new 2.0L turbodiesel engine with a global engineering pedigree. Pretty much everyone is involved, as it’s being co-developed by GM’s Powertrain teams in Torino, Italy (Turin) and Pontiac, Michigan. GM engineers from Russelsheim, Germany are supporting the project by developing the accessory drive, acoustic cover and other specialized components. Additionally, the validation process at GM’s Lordstown, Ohio plant — where the U.S.-spec Cruze is built — began this past fall.
Now, going beyond the official record, we have learned that the Cruze diesel could very well end up being called the Cruze Eco-D, which is fitting. It’s also expected to come along with the Cruze’s planned mid-cycle refresh.
The biggest selling point for the Cruze Eco-D is this all-new engine. And while its power figures are still in the dark for the time being, engineers have targeted it for a 700-mile highway cruising range before needing to refuel. The Cruze Eco-D will have a 14 gallon tank. Do some math, and you’ll quickly realize that this range translates to a Prius-fighting 50 mpg on the highway. The official EPA ratings are still pending, however. To note, the VW Jetta TDI is rated at 42 mpg on the highway. Sounds like a knockout punch to us.
Sales decreased 5.6 percent to 16,670 units during the first ten months of 2024.
Specifically critical minerals supply chain development.
Scheduled for a Spring 2025 launch.
Horsepower and grip take the win.
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Willl GM at least offer a 5/6 speed manual for this engine? I test-drove a Jetta TDI with an automatic once, and it was slow and unresponsive to the throttle. A manual transmission will help take advantage of a diesel's low RPM powerband.
Give us the Cruze Wagon with a diesel and a 6 speed manual and leather interior and I am sold. If not I am still looking at a Jetta Sportwagen TDI in the future. Come on Chevy you can market the wagon in the US too. Some of us don't want to drive an SUV for cargo capacity and also don't want to give that up for a small hatchback with good fuel economy but little cargo space. Lets take a page from europe.
I hope they're not waiting for all the 18 wheelers to switch to CNG and make diesel more available. Gee I hate waiting. 8-(
Please,Please,Please, Put this diesel into the new Cruze Wagon it would be a smash hit.
I cannot wait to test drive a diesel cruse .Would love a wagon but guess i am a minority .but the seats fold and the trunk is large .
Wouldn’t it be nice if GM could pull the head from rectum and get the Diesel option to N/A in 2013.I want to support GM, have a pocket full of money and ready to hand it over. No cruze-D no get money. Ok sorry back to German cars...rumors of 0% for 60 in Jan 2013 on TDI's. Mazda 6D hits the show room 3rd quarter 2013 ..
I have driven Jetta TDI's for quite some time. My latest one is 2004 with 244,000 miles and still runs like a charm and still gets 47mpg on a daily basis. It will do 50mpg plus if I drive under 65 mph and dont shotgun it from red lights. I am very glad to see that GM is going to try to come into the market with a small diesel and I was hoping for 55mpg plus as I am going to be in the market for another daily driver in a couple years. You got to love the torque of the small diesels vs gas engines. They are not made for racing but longivity and mpg, which the people of the US have forgot about. I tow 2000 lbs behind my Jetta on a regular basis and it does a wonderful job. Yes I know VW has had their quality issues ( mostly electrical related by my observation ), but overall they are a very fun car to drive and has held together very well. I hope that GM can do it. Im skeptical because of some problems that I have had with a couple late model Yukon and Sierra models................
I've never been a diesel guy at all, but I'd definitely consider this car. They've basically removed the noise and smell, and fuel economy and torque are still fantastic. But what stopped me before was the awful horsepower numbers. I think a friend's old Jetta diesel made 49 h.p., so at freeway speeds it was brutal. Now the cruze diesel may have 160 horses! As for the outside refresh, adding LEDs front and rear is the quickest way to dress up a car. Not sure what else except get rid of the low-grade plastic on the grill. I wonder if this engine will find its way into any smallish SUVs? Buick Encore?? Chevy Equinox?? Surely it won't just be used in one vehicle.
I hope GM is successful. My wife's suburban will be traded in, in 2 or 3 years and she's looking at the Equinox. A 2.0 TDI engine would be great.