There's a diesel-powered Chevrolet Cruze headed to the U.S. soon. After various rumors, General Motors Corporation has made it official. To say that it's been a long time coming is a bit of an understatement. In almost every other market where the Cruze has been sold since its 2008 debut, it's been available with optional diesel power.
So an oil-burning Cruze is nothing new, but the engine in this particular Cruze is an all-new piece. It's installed in the refreshed "Series II" Holden Cruze CDX that was just released in Australia. It features GM's next-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine, and when the diesel Cruze arrives in the U.S. in 2013, there's a good chance that this will be the engine under the hood.
Diesel for Down Under
In its initial Series I guise, the Australian Cruze was offered in two specification levels: CD and the better-dressed CDX. Standard fitment in both models was the lethargic 139-horsepower Ecotec 1.8-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, which accounted for 80 percent of cars sold in the region.
The remaining cars were optioned up with a VM Motori-sourced SOHC diesel turbo unit that not only delivered 147 hp, but a whopping 240 pound-feet of torque to boot. The diesel was by far the best choice for the Cruze, even if only one in five Australian buyers believed it at the time they signed up.
For its recent Series II release, Holden upped the ante by offering the new diesel option along with two entirely new sports-focused models: the SRi and the range-topping SRi-V — both of which use the same 1.4-liter turbo engine found in the U.S. Cruze. The 1.4-liter engine offers up reasonable performance, but on paper it's the turbodiesel CDX model that boasts better numbers. Is it any better, though?
Out With the Italian
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze CDX's brand-new turbodiesel engine is sourced from GM's specialist diesel engine manufacturing plant in Gunsan, South Korea. The inline four-cylinder DOHC engine features an electronically controlled turbocharger and a high-pressure common-rail system. Compared to the VM Motori-built engine, the GM diesel is quieter, with lower emissions and better fuel economy. As if that wasn't enough, it also delivers 9 percent more power (161 hp at 3,800 rpm) and 12.5 percent more torque (265 lb-ft at 1,750 rpm).
With so much torque on tap, squeezing on the throttle from as low as 1,750 rpm is a rewarding experience.
One of the biggest complaints about the original Cruze diesel was its turbo lag from a standing start, which was compounded by a lazy electronic throttle. For the sake of comparison, we got behind the wheel of a Series I CDX just a couple of days after this drive. Although it highlighted the improvements made to the new engine, there's still room for improvement.
In fact, we've driven a CDX with a reflashed ECU that totally alleviated any throttle delay altogether. With that in mind, we would expect to see that calibration make its way to the U.S.-bound model. As it stands, though, the only way to get the car off the mark as quickly as possible is to build up some boost pressure with one foot, and then sidestep the brake pedal with the other.
Lots of Torque, Still Slow
With a brake torque start and the stability control system switched off, the Cruze CDX will go from zero to 60 mph in about 9.6 seconds. Performancewise that puts it right on par with the Australian-spec 1.4-liter turbo model. But try it any other way and the turbodiesel Cruze is more like a 10-second-plus car at a minimum.
A traffic light racer it is not. The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze CDX is much more impressive during midgear acceleration. With so much torque on tap, squeezing on the throttle from as low as 1,750 rpm is a rewarding experience, especially when compared to the 1.4-liter gas turbo. It's also worth mentioning how quiet the 2.0-liter is during normal driving. From inside the cabin it's hard to tell that there's a diesel motor ticking away under the hood.
According to Holden, the Cruze CDX six-speed automatic turbodiesel has a combined (city/highway) fuel efficiency of 6.7 liters/100 km or about 35.1 mpg using the Australian testing method. That's not even close to the 26.7 mpg we averaged during our week spent with the car. That said, we burned a fair bit of diesel pushing the Cruze through the canyons, so breaking 30 mpg combined with a lighter foot wouldn't be very tough.
Is It Worth It?
With two more years to go until the Cruze diesel hits the States, there's still plenty of time to work out some of its finer points. There's little doubt the throttle response issues we experienced will be ironed out by then. Given the attention the Cruze diesel will likely get when it finally arrives, Chevrolet isn't apt to let a lazy throttle torpedo its chances of success.
It's hard to tell at this point where the Cruze diesel will shake out in terms of EPA mileage numbers. With the Cruze Eco already boasting 40-plus mpg on the highway, the diesel version needs to deliver similar numbers or it's going to be a tough sell.
Then there are the less controllable issues like diesel fuel prices and emissions standards. Should everything fall into place, though, the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze diesel's performance and efficiency should make it a viable alternative to the standard offerings available now. Chevrolet will be taking a huge risk, but if it succeeds it will pave the way for a whole new crop of small diesels that could drastically alter the American market. We'll see.
The manufacturer provided Edmunds this vehicle for the purposes of evaluation.
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tyguy says:
02:29 PM, 09/21/2011
Very nice. I genuinely wish I could purchase the Cruze vehicle pictured with a 6-speed manual in the States. The motor, the color, the wheels, the options. It's nearly perfect for what I'm looking for at the moment. The US-spec Eco is close, but this Holden provides the extras that I'm genuinely interested in owning long-term. And I'm no GM fan having never owned one, more like a Honda/Toyota guy, but I do think the General has hit a home run with the Cruze and the diesel will make it even better. The Corolla and Civic are woefully behind the American and Korean competition, and I've always committed to purchasing the best vehicle at a given price point, so the Cruze/Focus/Elantra it is.
With a diesel, the Cruze will make for an easy purchase decision. A diesel is less about 0-60 drag times and more about real-world mid-range driving conditions. For those bashing the test mpg, keep in mind the motor output and driving conditions. I've driven Euro diesels with similar fuel mileage returns when pushed hard, and I have no doubt the authors took the Holden to the limit. I'll wait to pass judgement until the US-spec version arrives and the EPA and real drivers have a go at it. Given the 28/42 Eco gasser, I'm confident GM will produce even better through the diesel motor and provide an even better driving experience while at it.
Keep it up GM. Listen to your customers, deliver products that excite them, and watch your market share grow. And then go back to the drawing board and do it all over again. Never stop listening to your customers and adjusting your product portfolio to suit. That's where Honda is faltering and providing you a prime opportunity to capitalize.
dhectorg says:
06:11 PM, 09/18/2011
If VW can get better efficiency and performance out of the their TDI than this with lower HP and torque numbers, then GM needs to go back to the drawing board with this thing. A diesel engine in a compact only makes sense if it can turn in at least 40MPG average and offer sportier performance. This Cruze achieves neither. My next car will definitely be a diesel. Right now I'm leaning toward the new Mazda 2.2L turbo diesel that's due to arrive in a couple models for 2013...or the venerable VW TDI, but if Chevy wants to sell me a diesel, they'll have to do far better than this. Take my advice GM, don't bring this engine to the states until it's good enough to face off with the TDI and win. If it fails to impress, you will have squandered a real opportunity!
shark09 says:
09:46 AM, 09/06/2011
"That's not even close to the 26.7 mpg we averaged during our week spent with the car. That said, we burned a fair bit of diesel pushing the Cruze through the canyons, so breaking 30 mpg combined with a lighter foot wouldn't be very tough." the only way to get the car off the mark as quickly as possible is to build up some boost pressure with one foot, and then sidestep the brake pedal with the other." That said, Nice work Brad! How can you possibly rate the mileage when you drive the car like an idiot? are you really that stupid or are you just not trying very hard??? What a great review I think you should give up auto reviews and go back to demolition derby's. what a jack ass
120mmgun says:
07:47 AM, 07/28/2011
@silvbullit
Diesels may be "intrinsically more fuel efficient" but that doesn't mean they make economic sense. And the same argument holds with light bulbs. It's all about cost/benefit.
I wouldn't consider an argument based on prices 7 years ago as an example of prices that "change like the wind". And it seems you made a mistake with your decimal point. Equalizing taxes would only reduce the cost of diesel by about 2%, based on the $.10 difference max in a majority of states.
Supply/demand makes a whole lot of sense since the US exports diesel fuel while importing gasoline. The is part of the global economy.
"US reluctance to accept diesels is short-sighted.' based on what? Certainly not economics or personal choice.
"everyone that demands an automatic and an oversized vehicle is aptly lazy" I'm glad we still have some freedom of choice here in America and don't have to live by the dictates of what ONE elites thinks is the best choice for everyone else.
caseyat says:
07:51 PM, 07/27/2011
only 26.7mpg? my 2003 jetta tdi gets 35mpg on bad day (a/c, speeding). I average 38mpg and can get 45mpg on solid frerway runs of 70mph. come on chevy....
peartree1 says:
06:05 PM, 07/27/2011
26.7 mpg!!!!!!!! Holy cow, that's amazing! And if you go easy you can get in the thirties? Why get a Prius with numbers like that?!
bodyblue says:
02:47 PM, 07/27/2011
There is a reason that Europeans do the things they do.....it is because they are taxed to death and they HAVE to do the things they do in order to save what little money they get to keep from their cradle to grave benefit giving governments. Like I said below there are a lot of small old towns that lend themselves to small cars. But look at Germany. The autobahn is full of giant MBs and Audis etc. They are driven by rich people that can AFFORD the taxes.....and there would be drasticly lower diesel take rates if taxes on fuels were the same. So spare me the "Europeans are smarter" the fat Americans BS...its not true.
Oh and buzzerd03, not very classy to misspell my screen name.
buzzerd03 says:
05:58 AM, 07/27/2011
@blueboy- have you ever been to Europe? Yes fuel prices are much higher ( like they should be in the US) but that is only one factor. Streets and parking are much much tighter and hard to believe but Europeans are generally less wasteful. Often businesses in small towns turn off there lights during the day, hotels often have slots in the entrance of your room to insert your key to turn on the power to you room ( you know the ones the Americans complain about because they want the AC running all day with the T.V. on) people will actually ride there bicycle to the trains station by the thousands........
mike_in_nepa says:
08:48 PM, 07/26/2011
Want!!! Looks like an awesome car, lots of torque, and good fuel economy.
silvbullit says:
07:05 PM, 07/26/2011
@bodyblue:
Your response essentially states that all humans will buy the largest car that their money and roads will afford. I flat-out disagree which means that I have some semblance of faith that society is not entirely comprised of ignorant shoppers. The small amount of truth to your statement completely validates the function of government in its assumption that some people are too stupid to decide what things are excessive and a silent hand needs to coax them in the right direction.
The culture in Europe discourages rediculous-sized cars in many more ways than just taxes. Just like the drunkard is laughed out of a bar in Ireland, the tool driving a Camaro is sneered at; much for the same reasons.
That pragmatic sense still seems to be lacking on our shore as we all yearn for the days when we could re-finance our house every two years for a new Hummer and raked-out chopper. Those days are long gone and hopefully never coming back.