The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is rated at 46 mpg on the highway, giving it the potential to get at least 700 miles to a tank.
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Sporting plenty of camouflage, our spy photographers have caught the all-new 2015 Chevrolet Cruze out and about testing in the cold weather.
The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze diesel is expected to hit dealerships this May, and when it does, it’ll have comparable fuel economy figures to the gasoline Cruze Eco model.
Top 10 Automotive Stories of 2012
With a heavy heart the staff of AutoGuide.com say goodbye to 2012, along with its triumphs and tragedies. We await the New Year with open arms, and welcome its promise of a better world.
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2012 was a year of the dragon, and it proved to be the stuff of legend, but thankfully it wasn’t a fire-breather. The Mayans were flat-out wrong; their doomsday prophecy was about as accurate as Bernie Madoff’s promise of a sound investment opportunity.
Still, the year brought other significant stories. Scientists at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland discovered a subatomic particle consistent with the legendary Higgs boson. Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon, passed away, and in a brutal political battle Barack Obama won a second term as president of the United States.
Of course the automotive industry made its share of headlines throughout the year. Here’s a rundown of the Top 10 stories from the past 12 months.
The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel will be heading to America as a 2014 model year in 2013, and will feature a 2.0-liter, direct-injected turbodiesel powerplant equipped with the AdBlue urea emission control system.
GM‘s best-selling car in 2011, and the second best-selling compact in the US last year will be getting a diesel variant here in the states, which will be available early next year.
After issuing a recall for every Cruze that has been produced, it turns out that there are two problems plaguing the Chevrolet-built car, not just the one we originally reported.
The Chevrolet Cruze is getting a facelift for the 2013 model year, and this commercial released by the Korean arm of Chevrolet may have just given away the new style of the car.
Earlier in April, NHTSA announced an investigation into a possible fire risk on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze after two vehicles had been completely destroyed.
The initial investigation covered 177,000 vehicles from the 2011 model year, but NHTSA is now expanding the investigation to include the 2012 model year raising the total figure to 370,000 vehicles under investigation.
The total number of fires reported still remains at two, both incidents where the vehicle caught on fire while being driven and resulted in total losses. Fortunately in both incidents the driver and its passengers were able to escape the vehicle without injury.
We have however received quite a bit of attention on a previous post about Chevy Cruze fires, with one commenter even posting a video of his Cruze burning. It looks as though this is a serious issue, which has many cases that have gone unreported.
NHTSA will continue to investigate before reporting its findings to the government. It may take up to six months before a recall is issued, if NHTSA believes the Cruze does have a defect.
If asked what vehicle would be best in a Zombie apocalypse, the Chevrolet Cruze probably wouldn’t be high on your list, but it seems the bow tie brand would disagree.
Possible engine fires in the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze are being investigated by NHTSA after two have been completely destroyed.
Luckily no injuries have been reported with the fires, which Cruze owners are reporting began while the cars were moving. One complaint from a Cruze owner said, “The car was totally engulfed within five minutes of stopping, and it was only after the first sign of fire was visible that the warning light on the dashboard illuminated.” The driver was 30 miles into a 43-mile trip.
If there is indeed a recall on the Cruze, it could be a costly one depending on the defect. Chevrolet sold 177,000 2011 Cruzes and is cooperating with the investigation.
The third variant of the world’s favorite Chevrolet has made its world debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon will join the existing sedan and hatchback which together have sold more than 1-million globally since its launch in 2009.
Unfortunately America won’t be watching creative commercials featuring the Cruze station wagon as it won’t be heading to our shores, which is why the station wagon variant is making its debut in Switzerland. Europeans will have plenty of engines to choose from: 1.6L and 1.8L gasoline engines, a 1.4L turbo gasoline, a new 1.7L diesel, and an improved 2.0L diesel. The 1.4L, 1.7L diesel, and 2.0L diesel all come with start/stop technology as standard, while all engines are Euro-5 complaint.
The station wagon measures in at 184.1 inches and is 6.5 inches longer than the hatchback variant and 3.1 inches longer than the sedan model. As expected, the exterior of the Cruze station wagon shows off a tapering single-arch roofline with Chevy reminding us that it’ll come with roof racks as standard.
GALLERY: Chevrolet Cruze Station Wagon
See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Geneva Motor Show Coverage here
Yesterday we revealed the 2012 Chevrolet Cruze station wagon, but as usual, videos are better than photos. The Chevrolet Cruze station wagon is set to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but for the strange few who are eager to see it, there’s already a video.
Our previous post discussed powertrain specifications, but it didn’t tell you much about the interior. While official details haven’t been released regarding the Cruze’s interior dressings, we can infer some details from the clip.
All-in-all, it doesn’t look like there’s much different aside from the predictable increased cargo space. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The Cruze managed to win consumer hearts across several continents, Europe included.
You can watch the video below and catch a few glimpses of what we’ll show you during our coverage in Geneva next week.
The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel made a nice dent in the European, Asian, African, and South American markets last year selling 33,000 units. Now, the popular diesel option will make its way into the U.S., trying to ride on the success wave it is already experiencing worldwide.
The diesel engine that will power the Cruze is being developed at GM’s design center in Torino, Italy, with input coming daily from the GM engineers in Pontiac, Michigan. A truly global design team, GM engineers in Russelsheim, Germany are also working on building some specialized components for the engine like the accessory drive and acoustic cover.
The U.S. market has a different way of looking at diesels, with the notion that diesel motors are only meant for big rigs and tractors. The global design approach will help the new diesel powertrain excel in the American market says GM, as the Europeans know how to build a great diesel engine, and the Americans know how it needs to look, sound and smell to appeal to the U.S. consumer.
“The market for diesel cars in the U.S. is small at present, but is expected to grow due to Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirements and expected increases in gas prices,” said Mike Omotoso, a powertrain analyst at LMC Automotive. “So far, the German automakers haven’t had any diesel car competition in North America. GM could do well with it, particularly with younger buyers who don’t have the old prejudices against diesel.”
The diesel Cruze will be available in 2013, and will be an interesting venture for GM, being the first of the big three to offer a diesel option in the USA in a family sedan. “In terms of outward appearances, the difference between the diesel and gasoline engine is going to be difficult to discern,” says Mike Siegrist, 2.0L diesel assistant chief engineer.
The American variant of the Cruze diesel is targeting the 50 mpg mark, and will likely by named the Chevy Cruze Eco-D.
Discuss this story at CruzeTalk.com
According to Advertising Age, a sister publication to Automotive News, Chevrolet‘s Cruze, Kia‘s Soul and Jeep‘s Wrangler are among America’s top 25 hottest products for 2011, alongside Dove soap, Arizona Tea, Goldfish crackers, Sharpie markers and the Forever 21 clothing chain.
There’s no doubting those three vehicles’ success, but we’d be willing to debate that they belong in America’s 25 hottest products. But nonetheless, the Cruze has sold more than 200,000 units as of October, which allowed it to surpass the Malibu as GM’s hottest selling model. Media spending by Chevrolet totaled more than $1.1 billion last year with a huge bulk of it towards marketing the Cruze’s 40-mpg fuel economy rating.
The good ‘ol Kia Soul has benefited from collaborating with stylish and hip hamsters, perfectly targeting younger buyers. Through October, Kia has racked up 405,095 in total sales, with over 85,000 of those being Souls. We’re not really sure if the Soul is a hot new product or if the hamsters are just that cool.
Lastly, Jeep’s Wrangler is Jeep’s best-selling vehicle with 101,820 vehicles sold through October. Their partnership with virtual Wranglers and the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 fans probably won’t hurt either. By bringing together live action and game footage, Jeep is clearly targeting a huge audience and perhaps a different market with their Wrangler. Jeep as a brand has had overall sales up 44-percent this year through October.
[Source: Automotive News]
Chevrolet will make their small cars the focus of the brand’s presence at the upcoming SEMA Show, bringing a huge collection of customized Sonics and Cruzes to the show floor. The majority of the Sonics and Cruzes coming from Chevrolet will feature products from the Z-Spec lineup, including performance, styling and personalization accessories.
Chevy isn’t revealing the custom Sonics and Cruzes built by some of the country’s top builders yet, but they did release teaser details (and a few pics), commenting that they’ll be bringing their Z-Spec #1, Z-Spec #2, Z-Spec 4D Concept and Dusk for their Sonic line. The pair of Cruzes Chevy will be showing off are the Cruze Z-Spec and Cruze Dusk.
Z-Spec #1 will be a turbocharged Sonic five-door sporting a collection of concept Z-Spec accessories. A ground effects kit, spoiler, unique grille and graphics package are applied to a Torch Red exterior further accented by a set of 18-inch Z-Spec concept wheels. On the inside, perforated black suede seat inserts, a Z-Spec sport pedal kit, sport shift knob and racing-style flat-bottom steering wheel accent the interior. Performance comes from four-piston brake calipers, new suspension and a high-flow exhaust system.
Z-Spec #2 is similar to the Z-Spec #1, but features a more aggressive exterior styling package and will be shown off in a Flat White with Torch Red accents. The 4D Concept will show off the sedan accessories in an Ashen Gray Metallic finish while the Dusk is a subtle Berlin Blue exterior with 18-inch wheels in a dark Galvano Silver finish.
For the Cruzes, the Z-Spec will feature a ground effects package, 18-inch wheels, an accessory spoiler and a high-flow grille. A new stripe package is also added to the exterior while the interior accessories are similar to the Sonic’s offerings. The Cruze Dusk will also be similar to the Sonic Dusk, offering a look at a more subtle package of accessories and upgrades.
GALLERY: Chevrolet SEMA Sonics
See AutoGuide’s complete 2011 SEMA Show preview here and look for coverage starting November 1st.
GM may be looking to brand its new Chevy Cruze Diesel as a performance option for enthusiasts, but that doesn’t mean it won’t deliver impressive fuel economy. In fact, quite the opposite, with the new oil burner, due out next year, targeted at the lofty 50-mpg mark.
Aimed directly at the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the Cruze diesel will get the same powerplant offered in Europe, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making nearly identical numbers with 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. In Europe the car gets 42-mpg with a 5-speed manual or 36-mpg with an automatic. Those numbers are rather misleading, however, as they’re based on the less strict European test cycle, however, they’re also a “combined” number, averaging out the very high highway mpg rating and the less impressive city number.
“If we’re getting 42 (mpg) on the Eco, we’ll do better on the diesel,” a source tells Ward’s Automotive. “You could envision 50 mpg.”
While the Cruze diesel is expected to cost a premium (priced a few thousand above a comparable gasoline model), according to diesel parts supplier Bosch, the technology pays for itself within just 18 months of purchase.
[Source: Ward's Auto]
Discuss this story at CruzeTalk.com
A few months ago the Granite concept, the darling of GMC’s display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, was slated to enter production. But GM internal management never confirmed it, and the matter was dropped. Now, the GMC Granite has been given the go-ahead for production…again.
Motor Trend reports, from a source within GM, that the Granite will enter production—and will even keep the trick rear-hinged suicide doors from the 2010 concept. It rides on the same C-Segment platform that’s shared by the Chevrolets Volt and Cruze, the Buick Verano, and Opel Astra, and closely shares its floorpan (as well as its functionality and overall shape) with the Chevy Orlando, the too-hot-for-America mini-MPV that GM will sell in Europe, Asia, and Canada.
Except, well, the Granite is more “professional-grade,” which apparently means that the model will live on without a B-pillar, necessitating plenty of reinforcement from the quarter-panels to the roof. This might overwhelm the 138-horsepower turbo 1.4-liter four-cylinder and six-speed transmission, that the Granite will share with the Cruze. Hopefully there will be other engine options available (such as the Buick Verano’s 177-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four, as MT suggests) to ensure that the Granite won’t be as slow as its namesake.
It’s not yet clear if GMC intends to also go ahead with the Granite Compact Pick Up.
[Source: Autoblog]
The new Chevrolet Cruze can add one more trophy to its case, being awarded the 2011 Canadian Car of the Year today at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.
The Cruze beat out the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Jetta TDI to receive the honor from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada.
Last year the Volkswagen Golf GTI took top honors.
General Motors Canada has just announced a new sales incentive that’s sure to get folks headed to their nearest Chevy dealership. As part of the new “First to Cruze” program, customers who purchase their new Chevy Cruze before January 10, 2011 will get a free Apple iPad as a part of the CRUZECONNECT package. That package also includes the ability to use the iPad (or other smartphone) to unlock the doors, start the car or access vehicle information thought the OnStar MyLink app.
Alternatively, customers can choose the CRUZECOVERED package that includes winter tires and “deal protection package for Canadian winters.”
Check out AutoGuide’s 2011 Chevy Cruze Review by Clicking Here
Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com
Official release after the jump:
Excited to hear Tim Allen’s voice as the official voice of Chevrolet? The highly anticipated wait is finally over as Chevrolet has launched a pair of video ads on their new compact Cruze model that should be hitting dealerships any minute now. Both video ads are pretty standard in highlighting what the Cruze is about, but the first one is fairly daring, targeting one of the Cruze’s main competitors: Toyota’s Corolla.
While we’re not convinced that having standard keyless entry, Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation is enough for the Cruze to steer potential buyers to their vehicle over the Corolla, but we have to commend Chevrolet for taking a proactive approach in making their vehicles more attractive. (In fact, we were pleasantly surprised with the new Cruze).
The other video really just introduces the Cruze as the “new kid” on the block, highlighting all it offers at a cheaper price compared to its competitors. Is it enough to get the Cruze cruising off the lots and down the streets? We’re not sure, but at least it’s not your boring run-of-the-mill ad that doesn’t even strike any interest in the car.
Read AutoGuide.com’s review on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze by Clicking Here.
Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com
Check out both video ads after the break:
With the launch of the new Chevy Cruze, rumors have already started popping up about a possible SS model. And why not; the Cobalt got an SS model and while the initial offering wasn’t overly special, the final turbocharged version was so impressive it could hand it to an EVO on a racetrack.
But according to Chevy marketing boss Jim Campbell a Cruze SS isn’t coming. And if Chevy was planning an SS like the stickered-up model sold in Singapore, then were happy we’ll never see it. But wait, Campbell only said that there won’t be one of the 2011 model year and considering how production cycles work, that makes complete sense. And besides, it doesn’t have to wear the SS badge to be a performance car.
The folks at Jalopnik who interviewed Campbell suggest that if Ford does decide to deliver on a high-powered Focus then a more potent Cruze looks like a reality. And guess what? Ford is set to deliver a performance Focus using EcoBoost technology, and they’ve already said it will be offered globally.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Chevy Cruze First Drive by Clicking Here
Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com
With nearly one million models sold in six years, the last Chevrolet Cobalt will roll off the production line this week. The Cobalt has been manufactured at GM’s Lordstown assembly plant since its launch in 2004 but was never attained the success of the Cavalier it replaced. An uncompetitive vehicle compared to segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, Chevy at least churned out a badass Cobalt SS in 2008 making 260-hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque. That model was rated at 5.5 seconds to 60 mph and could even run a 13.9 second quater mile.
But not even a Car & Driver comparo that proved the Cobalt SS could lap VIR faster than a Mitsubishi EVO, (not to mention a Lexus IS-F, Audi S5, Honda S2000, Subaru WRX STI or Lotus Elise SC) could win the Cobalt any respect.
The Cobalt is set to be replaced by GM’s latest compact car effort, the Cruze, which is larger, considerably more refined and significantly more fuel efficient.
Get more Chevy Cruze news and info at CruzeTalk.com
[Source: Vindy.com]