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2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel

The Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, or Cruze 2.0TD as it will be called, expands the popular Cruze lineup with an efficient yet spirited diesel engine. The vehicle is essentially the diesel-powered Cruze sold in Europe, Australia, and other markets around the world, but with specific modifications made to the turbo-diesel engine to meet U.S. and Canadian emissions requirements. The vehicle is of special significance to General Motors as it is the automaker’s first diesel-powered car for the United States market since the 1986 Chevrolet Chevette.

The Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel arrived in 13 U.S. cities in the spring of 2013. It then launched nationally in the U.S. and Canada in early fall of the same year.

Assembly of the 2014 Cruze Turbo Diesel takes place at GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio, USA. The plant manufactures all Chevrolet Cruze models for the North American market. The Cruze’s 2.0L turbo-diesel I4 LUZ engine takes place in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

At the heart of the Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel is an advanced 2.0 liter clean diesel Ecotec engine that provides greater fuel economy than a comparably-sized gasoline engine thanks to greater thermal efficiency, a higher compression ratio, and an unthrottled combustion process.

The engine utilizes an iron cylinder block and a forged steel crankshaft, each designed to withstand the greater cylinder pressure that come with a turbo-diesel engine.

Carrying GM’s RPO code LUZ, the engine features a lightweight aluminum cylinder head and aluminum intake manifold, the engine is based on a proven architecture that has been used in European models (RPO: LBS) — where nearly 40 percent of all Cruze models sold cradle a diesel engine — but modified to accommodate more stringent diesel emissions standards and a wider range of driving conditions, including colder climates and higher altitudes –- for the United States and Canada, according to GM. Notable elements of the engine include:

  • Dual overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder and maintenance-free hydraulic lifters with low-friction roller-finger followers
  • Quiet belt-driven cams/valvetrain with high-strength belt material and tensioner rated for 100,000 miles
  • High-strength aluminum pistons with reinforced top ring and integral combustion bowl
  • Central direct injection, with the injector positioned in the middle of the cylinder, with the bowl in the piston serving as the combustion chamber. This enables a high 16.5:1 compression ratio that enhances power and combustion efficiency
  • Variable-swirl intake manifold design, which optimizes air charge mixture motion in the cylinders for a more-efficient combustion that enhances performance and reduces emissions
  • Common-rail fuel system with Piezo fuel injectors that create multiple injections per combustion for greater performance, combustion efficiency and quietness
  • Variable-nozzle turbocharger that broadens the engine’s torque curve, particularly at low rpm, and supports greater high-rpm horsepower. It is mounted close to the exhaust outlet of the engine for quicker “spool up” of the turbine and faster “light off” of the exhaust catalyst
  • Intercooling system produces a cooler, denser air charge for greater power
  • Piston oil jets that help reduce friction and optimize piston temperature for greater performance and efficiency
  • Turbocharger bearings are oil-lubricated and cooled via an oil cooler
  • Variable-displacement oil pump helps save fuel by optimizing the oil pressure, which reduces friction
  • Vacuum pump designed for lower engine friction
  • Ceramic glow plugs, which provide greater cold-start performance over conventional metal glow plugs (an engine oil heater is offered for cold climates)
  • B20 bio-diesel compatibility

Early in the engine’s lifecycle, General Motors co-developed the powerplant with Fiat.

Visit the 2.0L I4 Turbo Diesel LUZ page for full engine details and specifications.

The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel achieves an EPA-estimated 46 MPG on the highway and 27 MPG in the city. According to General Motors, the vehicle can travel 717 miles on a single tank — or about 10 hours of highway driving. To note, that is better than any non-hybrid car sold in America.

The advanced 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine delivers an SAE-certified 151 horsepower (113 kW) and 264 pound-feet of torque (358 Nm). This allows it to accelerate to 60 MPH in a brisk 8.6 seconds.

Peak torque is achieved at 2,000 RPM, with a sustained feeling of power on demand at almost all speeds, especially when passing or entering a freeway onramp — according to GM. The engine produces at least 250 pound-feet of torque (339 Nm) between 1,750 and 3,000 RPM.

In addition, the motor has an overboost feature that increases torque to an estimated 280 lb.-ft. of torque (380 Nm) for stronger acceleration periods of about 10 seconds.

According to GM, the Cruze TD runs cleaner than U.S. environmental standards, including Tier 2 Bin 5 specifications. The car generates at least 90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions compared to previous-generation diesels. The vehicle is also the cleanest diesel passenger car engine produced by General Motors.

The Cruze TD utilizes a precise exhaust recirculation system with a high-capacity cooler and bypass feature, enabling the engine to exceed the tough diesel emissions regulations in the United States and Canada. The Cruze TD also utilizes an exhaust after-treatment, or Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), system that drastically cuts the amount of emissions of diesel engines. The setup is similar to what’s found on GM’s heavy-duty pickup trucks and vans powered by the Duramax diesel engines.

The DEF system contains a diesel particulate filter and urea injection. A 4.5-gallon (17 liters) tank holds enough diesel emissions fluid to provide at least 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of driving between refills. The system’s refill schedule is designed in such a way so as to coincide with oil changes. General Motors estimates that it will cost $10 to refill the DEF system every 10,000 miles, and the service is included as part of the Cruze’s two-year complimentary maintenance plan that comes standard with the vehicle.

A tradeoff to the clean emissions is decreased trunk space, since the placement of the DEF tank eats up two cubic feet of trunk room compared to a standard Cruze.

Every 2014 Cruze Diesel will include a two-year complimentary maintenance plan. The plan will include free refills of the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system, oil and oil filter changes, and tire rotations, among other services.

The Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel carries a starting price of $25,695, including an $810 destination charge.

For that amount, the vehicle includes:

  • 2.0 liter turbo-diesel engine
  • Six-speed automatic transmission
  • Four-wheel antilock disc brakes
  • 3.20 final drive ratio
  • 140-amp alternator
  • 800 cold-cranking amps battery
  • 17-inch alloy wheels unique to Cruze TD model
  • Ultra-low-rolling resistance all-season tires
  • Rear spoiler
  • Aero Performance Package
  • Leather-appointed seating
  • MyLink infotainment system
  • Two-year maintenance plan
  • Five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty

With the exception of the diesel engine, low-rolling resistance tires, and the aero package, that’s essentially the same kind of equipment as found on the Cruze 2LT trim level.

In addition, the Cruze TD features sound-absorbing features specifically added to the diesel model. These include a dash mat and hood blanket, among others.

According to Chevrolet sales chief (at time of the model’s launch) Don Johnson, GM expects the Cruze TD to make up roughly 10 percent of Cruze deliveries in the United States.

As of July 2014, the Cruze TD was responsible for a mere 2 percent of all Cruze sales in the United States, selling 6,000 units since its introduction.

Overview
Model: 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel
Body style / driveline: front-drive, front-engine, four-door, five- passenger sedan
EPA vehicle class: Compact
Manufacturing location: Lordstown, Ohio
Key competitor: Volkswagen Jetta TDI
Powertrain
Type: Turbo Diesel
Displacement (cu in / cc): 2.0L (119 / 1956)
Fuel delivery: direct injection
Horsepower 148 / 110 @ 4000 (est.)
(hp / kW @ rpm):
Torque 258 / 350 @ 2000 (est.)
(lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):
Recommended fuel: diesel
Transmission: six-speed automatic
Chassis & Suspension
Suspension (front): MacPherson strut
Suspension (rear): Z-Link
Steering type: Power, electric, rack-mounted
Turning circle (ft / m): 35.7
Brakes four-wheel anti-lock disc
Wheel size and type: 17-inch alloy
Dimensions
Wheelbase (in / mm): 105.7 / 2685
Overall length (in / mm): 181 / 4597
Overall width (in / mm): 70.7 / 1796
Overall height (in / mm): 58.1 / 1476
Leg room (in / mm): front: 42.28 / 1074 ; rear: 35.35 / 898
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3475 (1576.4)
Capacities
Passenger volume (cu ft / L): 94.6 / 2679
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): 13.3 (376.6)
Fuel capacity (gal / L): 15.6 (59.0)
  • As of February 2013, the Cruze is the best-selling Chevrolet sedan globally.
  • The Cruze Diesel joins two existing engine offerings on the Cruze line in the United States and Canada, including the 1.4L turbocharged Ecotec (LUF) and 1.8L naturally-aspirated Ecotec (LUW).
  • Genera Motors has sold nearly two million units of the Chevrolet Cruze globally since the car’s launch in 2008.
  • In 2012, General Motors produced over half a million small cars powered by diesel engines across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America last year — including the Cruze. In Europe, roughly 40 percent of Cruzen sold are powered by a diesel engine.
  • The 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine in the Chevy Cruze TD is the cleanest passenger car engine ever produced by General Motors.
  • Clean diesels generate at least 90 percent less Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and particulate emissions when compared to previous-generation diesels.
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