Last December, General Motors’ VIN decoder document proclaimed the Chevrolet Cruze’s six-speed manual transmission option is not long for this world, and it also made mention of a new continuously-variable transmission (CVT) for 2019. However, the latest document shows GM could be fast-tracking the CVT for an introduction this year.
The Truth About Cars reported on Monday that the latest VIN decoder document now lists a “Chevrolet Cruze (CVT)” as part of the 2018 lineup. It remains separate from other Cruze trims, including the Cruze Diesel. The more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is still listed as a new Cruze powertrain as well.
A CVT would likely help maximize fuel economy in the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which powers the vast majority of Cruzes. It’s unclear where the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine will slot into the Cruze’s lineup, but we’ve heard rumors of a Cruze Hybrid for years. The Malibu Hybrid also happens to sport a CVT as well, though it features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a two-motor electric powertrain.
If GM has plans to roll out a CVT for the Cruze this year, instead of next, we’ll likely see it sooner rather than later. We know Chevy has quite a few refreshed vehicles in the pipeline due for a reveal this year. The Cruze is potentially one of them.
Comments
In low torque applications the CVT makes sense. And you can still have paddle shifters in sport trims, CVT would just have predetermined ratios for each “gear” selection.
After I test drove the CVT equipped WRX with a buddy a few months ago, we determined the only things worse than a CVT transmission is a CVT transmission with paddles…It’s just one giant disappointing tease…
CVT need the focus that traditional multi gear automatics are given or DSG or engine development. Take an automatic with crap programming and it’s going to be awful. That same automatic could offer great performance and shift points with different programming.
Give a CVT better programming with more aggressive ratios and it would be completely different.
Current CVTs can’t really handle more than 300lb-ft. But like a said with development they could be the better option. Every generation of CVT over the past 10yrs has leaped ahead.
You also drove a WRX with a CVT so that’s your own fault.
I own a Chevy, my buddy was in the market for one and asked me to test drive the WRX to give my opinion…You’re not wrong in anything you state, why we need selectable drive modes, is beyond me, step on the accelerator, 98% throttle or more, it should default to the best performance…But the reality is, often you have to select a “sports” mode each and every time you start the vehicle and then wait weeks for the vehicle to “learn” about your driving habits…
Like anything, if this CVT is at least as reliable as the traditional transmission it replaces, this is great news…CVTs are the transmission kings of MPG but are generally expensive to service and replace…While CVTs are on the Prius which is generally regarded as one of the most reliable vehicles of all times, often you’ll find new CVTs to be less reliable than the traditional transmission they replace…Auto makers including BMW/Mini have lost class action lawsuits for their Mini Cooper CVTs failure as there was a high failure rate that happened after the warranty but well under 100K…Folks were quoted $6K-$10K to repair which exceed the value of the vehicle…
We’ll probably never receive a straight answer but I would be curious to determine why a CVT which generally is considered more expensive, was selected over their new 9 speed auto…
Aren’t duel clutch transmissions like found in Dodge Dart via FIAT highly fuel efficient? I actually enjoyed the drive unlike most people.
I know nothing about transmissions so am asking if use of a duel clutch would work in a hybrid.
They are when you don’t tune it to act like a standard torque-converter transmission, like they did in the Dart. The DDCT (Dry dual clutch transmission) was such a pig, it added a FULL SECOND to the 0-60 time, and I don’t believe it benefitted any over the manual (which itself is not great) in fuel economy.
I had a Dart 1.4T DDCT for a week, and it was okay, but that transmission was mostly garbage – aside from when moment where it appeared to have forgotten its US programming and was barking off gearchanges like a nutjob (with the characteristic DCT “burp” between gears). It doing that, combined with the growl of that 1.4T (by far, the best-sounding Dart. The 2.4L sounds awful, and the 2.0L gets a quieter exhaust) was outstanding. Too bad it only did it once and never again.
The Darts newer DSG(/DDCT) was more fuel efficient than the older Powertech 6 speed auto it replaced (FCA eventually dropped the DSG and went back to traditional in most trims) however as all transmission continually evolve, we should avoid making the blanket conclusion that a DSG is always better than a traditional…However the reason we can make a statement that CVT is the current MPG champ is it literally have infinite gears…
Remember when we all were asking for a Cruze SS to follow the Cobalt SS?
I remember. Now I drive FCA cars, with lifetime warranties. They save the CVTs for plug-in vehicles, where they belong.
https://www.mopar.com/dodge/en-us/care/current-model-year-coverage.html
What Lifetime warranty are you referring to?
Mopar Lifetime Max Care. Google it. $2,500 to $3,500 upgrade. Lifetime coverage.
thanks. located it.
FCA cars so good is that why they are gonna stop making them?
FCA only bowed out of making *small* cars. Giulia, Challenger, 300, and Charger all are going to be updated and new models will ship over the next three years.
And we know why. FCA makes more money retooling plants for truck and SUV production. Especially with Trade Tarriff Trump in charge.
Replacing the manual with a snow mobile transmission is disappointing to say the least. There are still some that like manuals and the Cruze attracted those folks. CVT’s have NO following.
With considerable experience with CVT’s in our Formula 440 and 500 classes cars, they were reliable, simple and effective. But, my experience with one in a little Subaru was spectacularly disappointing. Maybe the technology has improved? Mileage and the low cost to produce are the only benefits. Reason enough for the Mfg’s to foist them on us. But, livability for enthusiasts will suffer.
EV’s will solve our mechanical transmission issues.
I wonder if this CVT is actually the two motor Voltec transmission. If so themes Cruze could be getting Prius like mileage numbers.
if you lookup the engine on truth about cars you find out that the l3g engine only makes 113 HP and no turbocharger. I bet money that this is the eco model especially since it has a CVT.
Why not the nine speed transmission ?
Please tell what company is CVT supplier to GM.
what if i told you I own the patent for the fix on cvt transmission, and the auto industry has basically refused to talk with me, I am looking to be compensated well for the release of my patent, this covers ,ford,gm,dodge,Nissan.Honda.Toyota,audi,bmw, every mfg that uses cvt transmission