Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Targets Volkswagen Jetta in US Entry
Chevrolet is launching the 2.0-litre Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel in the US this summer, aiming for 42 mpg on the highway and a starting price of $25,695.
Chevrolet will introduce its first diesel car in the US since 1986 with the 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show. The new model, built in Lordstown, Ohio, is set to arrive in dealerships by summer 2013 with a starting price of $25,695 including destination. Chevrolet is aiming directly at the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the segment’s established diesel leader.
Diesel engine specification and performance
The Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 148 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet claims a 0-60 mph time of 8.6 seconds, outpacing the automatic Jetta TDI. Peak torque is available from low revs, typical of modern diesels, and a ten-second turbo boost is available for overtaking. The engine is paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission, which has been reinforced to handle the diesel’s higher torque output.
Chevrolet says the Cruze diesel will achieve an estimated 42 mpg on the highway. While this matches the figure for the gasoline-powered Cruze Eco manual, the diesel offers stronger acceleration and a longer driving range thanks to a 15-gallon fuel tank. Final city and combined ratings were still undergoing EPA testing at the time of launch.
Emissions, features and equipment
The diesel engine has been adapted from the European-market Cruze but modified to meet US Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards. It uses a urea injection system (AdBlue) with a 4.5-gallon tank, expected to last 10,000 miles between refills. Chevrolet claims this is the cleanest diesel passenger car engine it has produced, with at least 90 percent lower NOx and particulate emissions compared to previous generations.
Standard equipment includes Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system, leather-appointed seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, low rolling resistance tyres, rear spoiler, and additional sound insulation. The price also covers a two-year maintenance plan and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The diesel model’s boot is slightly smaller than the petrol version due to the emissions hardware.
Market positioning and competition
Chevrolet is targeting Volkswagen’s Jetta TDI, which has dominated the compact diesel segment in the US. The Cruze diesel’s price is close to the Jetta TDI automatic and includes more standard features, but it commands a premium of around $4,000 over the Cruze Eco petrol automatic. Diesel-powered compact cars remain a niche in the US, but Volkswagen’s diesel models have accounted for nearly a fifth of its US sales. Chevrolet is betting that buyers seeking high mileage and stronger performance will accept the higher upfront cost.
Global diesel experience and production
Globally, GM has produced over half a million diesel cars in the previous year, with 40 percent of European Cruzes sold as diesels. The US-market Cruze diesel draws on this experience but has been re-engineered for North American emissions and driving conditions. The Lordstown, Ohio plant will handle production for the US and Canada.
The Cruze diesel’s arrival marks a renewed push for diesel technology in US passenger cars, a segment that has seen limited growth outside Volkswagen’s offerings. Chevrolet’s success will depend on whether American buyers are ready to pay a premium for diesel efficiency and performance in a compact saloon.
