bagwell

http://content.usatoday.com/communit...ngine-option/1

General Motors is considering a diesel version of the just-launched Chevrolet Cruze for North America, according to a report on the GM-watching website GMInsideNews.com.


The site says its sources at the Lordstown, Ohio, plant that builds the Cruze for North America were told this week by plant management that they will start building a diesel Cruze with 2013 models.

The Cruze is a global product for Chevy and in many markets -- but not here -- it is available with both gas and diesel engine options. Now, according to multiple sources, the site says, at least one diesel engine is coming to the U.S. and test mules of a diesel Cruze are now on the street in Detroit.

The diesel would supplement the 1.8-liter and 1.4-liter turbo gas engines now offered here.

ABC

i wonder if they will be able to achieve higher than 42mpg with it.

DustinV

Under no circumstances should they name it the "new Oldsmobile 350cid diesel II"!

Blackraven

This should be good........and according to GM, it is more fuel-efficient than the Cruze Eco (auto and manual)

-J-P-L-

It most definitely would be. As long as it's a similarly sized/powered engine, the diesel is always more efficient. And usually significantly. It wouldn't make any sense to produce a diesel and not be a significant jump in fuel efficiency. Especially since diesel in most areas cost more than unleaded.

Today's average gas price in my area...

$3.10/ gal regular unleaded
$3.70/ gal diesel

So for someone in America to choose a diesel, the mileage has to make up this extra premium for fuel, the typically higher purchase price, and slight inconvenience of finding a station that sells diesel. Plus, diesel stinks while pumping.

I would say a Cruze diesel would need to achieve at least 48+ MPG highway to justify over an ECO at 42 MPG.

LexFather

I think it's a good idea to see how well people like it. The more choices the better for the consumer.

They should make the gas tank larger to increase range.

SLegacy99

There may be a market for this car. I do think that a Cruze with eAssist would sell much better. In fact, GM would be stupid not to offer such a model.

-J-P-L-

Problem with that though is that it increases weight when tank is full and decreases trunk size. It also creates the perception that gas is costing you more when you do fill up.

caddyowner

Deja vu all over again...

http://www.dieselchevette.com/

ABC

Yup, if a cruze diesel can get near prius mileage, that would be an interesting combo and very interesting to see how it sells.

lamar411

cant wait to see it.

-J-P-L-

It may approach or even match the Prius' 48 MPG highway mileage rating but won't come close to its 51 MPG city rating.

Lil4X

Boy was the Olds diesel a disaster! GM tried to design a diesel that could be built on the same line with the 350 gas engines, and although they shared blocks and a number of other bits, the sacrifices for commonality were just too great. The great failure was in the attempt to build a low-cost diesel, they just cut too many corners. The two engines are light-years apart in concept and design, and the "Diesel Olds" to which it was attached was a monumental failure.

IF Government Motors would go to their European confreres for a diesel for the Cruze, they could offer a fine product based on the Europeans' decades of small automotive diesel experience. Somehow I don't see that happening.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

In CA, it's the exact opposite. 3.70 for regular and 3.10 for diesel. It's a small incentive to go with diesel if you live in CA and is shopping for a new compact car. But the problem with CA is that most hippies and tree huggers often hear the word "diesel" and they automatically think of old dirty semi trucks.

GS69

Report: 50mpg Diesel Chevrolet Cruze Coming to US

General Motors has decided to sell in the United States a diesel version of its hot-selling Chevrolet Cruze compact, according to an Associated Press report.

The AP says the info came from 2 people briefed on the matter and that these people say the diesel Cruze would be rated about 50 miles per gallon (21 kilometers per liter) on the highway and help GM meet tightening government fuel-economy rules.

It'll need to do at least that to sell -- the Cruze Eco model is currently the highest-mileage conventional gasoline-powered car sold in the U.S., with a 42 mpg highway, and we at Drive On were able to get nearly 50 in 1 with careful highway driving recently.

1 of the people says the diesel Cruze would not arrive until at least 2013, which would make it a 2014 model. GM's Holden unit in Australia sells there a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder diesel version of the Cruze. But so far, only German automakers have been promoting diesel cars in the U.S.: 22% of VW's sales last year were diesels.

Reluctance is in part because diesels cost more -- typically a couple thousand dollars -- and the people didn't know how much the diesel Cruze would cost. The Cruze with the Eco fuel-saving package starts at $18,425 plus shipping, $1,900 more than the regular base Cruze.

GM spokesman Tom Wilkinson would not comment.

Now, if we could just convince GM to give the U.S. the sleek and cool Cruze hatchback (below) that it sells pretty much everywhere else ....