- A diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze is coming to the U.S. in 2013, taking direct aim at the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, GM confirmed on Friday.
- GM has not disclosed pricing on the Chevrolet Cruze diesel variant or whether a hatchback version is part of the strategy.
- The move makes GM the only one of the Big 3 to offer a diesel option in a car at this point.
DETROIT — A diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze is coming to the U.S. in 2013, taking direct aim at the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, GM confirmed on Friday. The move makes GM the only one of the Big 3 to offer a diesel option in a car at this point.
GM has not disclosed pricing on the Chevrolet Cruze diesel variant or whether a hatchback version is part of the strategy. Most importantly, it hasn't said what the fuel economy target might be in the Cruze diesel. The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI returns 30 mpg in city driving and 42 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA. In comparison, the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco — the most fuel-efficient Cruze in the lineup — returns 28 mpg in city driving and 42 mpg on the highway, triggering speculation that GM may be aiming for the lofty 50 mpg mark with the Cruze diesel.
In an era of rising gasoline prices, all manufacturers are scrambling for alt-fuel vehicles. The U.S. Energy Information Administration notes in its primer on diesel fuel that "historically, the average price of diesel fuel has been lower than the average price of gasoline." However, since September 2004, it says the price of diesel fuel has been "generally higher than the price of regular gasoline." This is attributable to growing worldwide demand for diesel fuel, especially in places like China. That demand is putting pressure on tight global refining capability.
On Friday, the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge said the average price for a gallon of diesel in the U.S. stood at $3.95 versus $3.69 for a gallon of regular gasoline.
The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which is equipped with a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 diesel engine starts at $23,295, including a $770 destination charge.
"Additional details on the Cruze diesel for North American markets will be released at a later date," said GM in a statement.
Diesel versions of the Cruze are on sale now in Europe.
Inside Line says: A Cruze diesel is coming, but will that really help consumers who have been slammed by high prices at the pump?
Add A Comment »
zoomzoom22 says:
08:31 PM, 07/24/2011
This news has been on Jalopnik, autoblog, etc. for the past four months...this isn't news.
swedane says:
01:45 PM, 07/24/2011
Being the proud owner of a 2007 Chrysler 300 C CRD Touring, which basically are a Dodge Magnum
with a 300 C frontclip and interior AND an M-B derived diesel OM 642, a 3.0 litre V6 engine I am puzzled why Chrysler does not sell this car in the US !
I do 30+ MPG all day with very little effort, I do have 262 bhp/590Nm ( 440+ foot/pounds ) of torque
at my disposal, which makes my car almost as fast as a 5.7 litre HEMI !
Having over 160000 miles on the odometer I can only say that modern diesels are bulletproof - odorless - quiet - and powerfull - forget the GM 5.7 era - it's a long time ago !
One can only hope that the " NEW " Chryco will use the VN Motori V6 diesel and the ZF/Torqueflite
8-speed in the new LY-series 300C - and while at it - stuff the same engine in the Challenger !
Audi & M-B has huge success overseas with diesel powered sportcoupé´s
I am confident that Mr. Machionne will use all possibilities at hand i.e. Fiat & Alfa's knowledge in
diesel engineeering - in fact Ford & GM can do the same - they have lot's of diesel offerings in
Europe !
k55 says:
09:25 PM, 07/23/2011
"The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which is equipped with a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter inline-4 diesel engine starts at $23,295, including a $770 destination charge."
........and anyone who knows anything about this car is not concerned with 140hp......its the torque stupid......238ft lbs.......which is higher than VW's own GTI (@ 207ft lbs ). Torque is what gets you up to speed ........that and 42mpg....or higher.
festus67 says:
05:41 PM, 07/23/2011
I'm holding my breath...wait, no I'm not. What is this April Fools Day? Heard all of this before somewhere...
wjtinatl says:
09:29 AM, 07/23/2011
Hope this prods Ford to bring a Duratorq diesel here in the Focus and upcoming Grand C-Max, as an alternative to the Hybrd they announced.
jscion says:
08:56 AM, 07/23/2011
I have no words to describe how happy this makes me!!! WE NEED DIESELS and FINALLY, an American car company is listening. Ford???? Chrysler???? HELLOOOOOO!!!!
6806goats says:
11:41 PM, 07/22/2011
Oh this is great news. I still want GM to bring us the diesel Colorado like they are doing overseas in the next few years but having the Cruze is a step in the right direction. I wish I could commit to buying a Cruze and show my support for what GM is doing but if I were to buy another car I want it a bit bigger. Like a Buick with a V-6 diesel or better yet bring the Holden back over with a diesel and rebadge if you need to. I still like the build quality in my 2006 GTO and would have no problems with a diesel V-6 Commadore variant. I already have my 6.6 Duramax but could use a smaller diesel pickup or SUV for the times when I don't need to drive my dually around.
I was excited to see that Mazda will be coming out with their diesel SUV/car in a little while and then Subaru is on the fence about bringing theirs to the US market. If GM brings a reliable diesel to the market I'll just get one of those. I was thinking about the BMW X5d but I am not impressed at all with the reliability history coming out of Germany. Sure they drive great but once the warranty expires who can afford to keep one. Then there is the huge depreciation hit they incurr. GM, bring a good smaller diesel to the US market place. I already like the Duramax, bring me a smaller one so I can get better mileage.
t2e0j3 says:
08:38 PM, 07/22/2011
This is awesome for Canada. Diesel in Calgary today is $1.059/liter (x 3.79 = $4.01CDN a gallon) versus 87 octane regular at $1.089/liter (x 3.79 = $4.12CDN a gallon) Of course our buck is worth $1.05 American so the prices are even higher.
I don't understand the explanation that diesel's prices are higher in the USA due to world wide demand. If that were true, then Canada's diesel price should be higher than regular unleaded, but it isn't. I think it has to do with differing fuel tax rates in the two countries.
speedynk says:
01:46 PM, 07/22/2011
@tdiluv
I agree, Ford doesnt
http://www.insideline.com/ford/ranger/2011/2011-ford-ranger-not-for-the-us.html
stephen987 says:
12:42 PM, 07/22/2011
If they bring the 2.0 with those torque figures, sign me up.