GM targeting 50 mpg with diesel Chevrolet Cruze

In late July, rumors of a U.S.-bound diesel Chevrolet Cruze were officially confirmed to be true by General Motors. We'll have to wait until sometime in 2013 to see the oil-burning Cruze, but GM insiders seem more than willing to dish out some details on the diesel Cruze well in advance of its debut.

Ward's Auto reports that "sources" have confirmed the oil-burning Cruze will achieve a highway fuel economy rating "in the range of 50 miles per gallon." Additionally, unlike the manual transmission-equipped, 42-mpg rated Chevy Cruze Eco (an automatic Eco is available, but its mpg rating is well below that of the manual), the diesel Cruze, according to Charlie Klein, GM's director of global mass, energy and aerodynamics, will be a fuel-sipping sedan regardless of which trans is bolted to the engine.

As for that engine, GM has unofficially confirmed that it will indeed be based on the 2.0-liter diesel that's found under the hood of the Holden Cruze CDX. In the Holden, the 2.0-liter mill pumps out 160 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque. One last bit of info: we hear that the diesel Cruze's torque will allow it to easily outrun the Cruze Eco.