2014 Chevrolet Cruze TD fires up its new diesel motor

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Diesel

Ever since General Motors confirmed plans to produce a diesel-powered Cruze back in 2011, we've been eagerly awaiting its arrival. And as part of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet has pulled back the cover on its oil-burning compact sedan, set to go on sale in the near future with a starting price of $25,695, not including $810 for destination.

The heart and soul of the Cruze TD (that's its official name) is a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline four-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated solely to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine also has an overboost function that will increase torque to 280 lb-ft for up to ten seconds. The full brace of official specs haven't been released, but GM tells us that highway fuel economy will come in at 42 miles per gallon. If that number sounds familiar, it's because the Volkswagen Jetta TDI has the exact same rating. Unlike the Jetta, however, the Cruze TD can run on B20 biodiesel, where as the Volkswagen can only accept B5.

Model-specific changes to this 2014 Cruze TD include an aero kit and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there's a full leather interior, and Chevrolet will provide two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, not to mention a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Everything you need to know about the Cruze TD is in the press release below, and have a look through our gallery of live photos to see the torquey little Chevy for yourself.

Continue reading 2014 Chevrolet Cruze TD fires up its new diesel motor

2014 Chevrolet Cruze TD fires up its new diesel motor originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel arrives with 42 mpg for $25,695*

Zach Bowman — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, Diesel

The last time General Motors had a diesel passenger car in the US, it was the 1.8-liter 1986 Chevette. At the 2013 Chicago Auto Show today, GM is unveiling the much-anticipated 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel. The compact bows with a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that boasts 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, with full twist coming on at just 2,000 rpm. What's more, the common-rail, direct-injection diesel features an overboost function that allows the engine to deliver up to 280 lb-ft of torque for 10 seconds at a time. Even with 10 more horsepower and 110 more pound-feet of torque than the available turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the Cruze, the 2.0-liter diesel engine can return up to 42 mpg (highway) bolted to its six-speed automatic transmission.

If you're counting, that figure meets the less powerful Cruze Eco with a six-speed manual transmission. More importantly, the auto transmission Cruze Diesel matches its main competition, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, in highway fuel economy. The Cruze 2.0 TD (as it will be badged) can also handle up to 20 percent biodiesel (B20), whereas the Jetta is rated only for B5. General Motors has not released city fuel economy for its newest diesel, but we do know how much it will cost you to jump behind the driver's seat.

GM will kindly ask for $25,695, plus an $810 destination fee. That marks a $2,115 premium over a loaded Cruze LTZ Auto and $2,640 more than the Jetta TDI, though the MSRP will net you a leather interior, 17-inch alloy wheels and an Aero Performance Package, as well as a two-year maintenance plan and five-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Compared to the gas-powered Cruze, you also lose a couple cubic feet of rear cargo space thanks to a 17-liter diesel emission fluid tank. That urea fluid, which helps put the clean in clean diesel, will need to be refilled at least every 10,000 miles.

The Cruze's diesel engine will be built in Kaiserslautern, Germany and the car will be produced starting in April at GM's plant in Lordstown, OH. Sales should kick off in May or June and cars will first roll out in 13 select states where GM has had success selling diesel-powered Silverado trucks. If you're thinking GM did something similar when the Volt was released, you're right. GM is again targeting buyers who are familiar and interested in a new (well, new since 1986, anyway) technology. This time, though, instead of zero emissions and li-ion, the audience knows that there's a significant difference between the label and real-world fuel efficiency of diesel vehicles, and so might be persuaded to do the math on higher diesel fuel costs and come to a favorable conclusion.

You can read the full press releases, both on the Cruze Diesel and its beating heart, below. Now we just have to wait for the wagon.

Sebastian Blanco contributed to this report.

Continue reading 2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel arrives with 42 mpg for $25,695*

2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel arrives with 42 mpg for $25,695* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Feb 2013 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments