2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel High MPG Topic For C.A.R. Management Seminars
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Diesel Cruze Sets Seminar Tone
Seminars to open with news bustle
From Mac Gordon 08-02-2013
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The July U.S. sales for the subcompact 2013 Cruze racked up one of the largest U.S. sales gains over a year ago of any subcompact-seventy percent; stirring heated discussions among the all-star speakers and attendees concerning the future of diesel in North America.
Buff magazines and trade weeklies speculated in unison that refineries would speed up installation of diesel pumps to hasten the sales of diesel cars, while at the same time emulating the Germans in availability of diesel fuel in all their models.
Automobile Magazine featured a test report on Cruze diesel test cars, finding none of the glitches which beset earlier models.
Volkswagen's “Dieselization” campaign covering all its models had set a tone which Chevrolet was all too happy to adopt.
The Cruze line for 2013 and early availability for 2014 was one GM will be quick to replicate-Cruze's MPG results with diesel engines (around 45 MPG+)are too good to be true-would be at the top of the 2013-14 adoption list-and at average prices of $3.80-$4 a gallon in the Midwest.
Moreover, the Cruze diesel rollout was a feather in GM's cap for having released such a desirable option so quickly.
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Moreover, and this is a big plus, the Cruze's four valves per cylinder have a variable swirl intake and a compression ratio of only 116.5:, accounting for the diesel model's estimated 38 mpg city/46 highway with AT.
The 2013 Cruze also has scored high on the safety front, awarded a 5-star rating across the board. The 6-speed AT helps lift zero to 60 mph in 9 seconds.
A close rival of the Cruze diesel is Volkswagen's 2013 Jetta TDI, which also offers remote start and 17-inch wheels. A 3-month trial of Sirius XM Satellite, a radio are a standard Cruze feature.
Diesel enthusiasts are a picky crew, now savoring enthusiastic reports on their cars' performance. Chevrolet dealers are pressing the Lordstown, OH, assembly plant for more cars, including manual transmissions like those on Camaro and Silverado.
Reluctant in the past to build decent road cars amid the flops with Nova, Chevette and Chevy II, Chevrolet has decided to build world-class cars at Lordstown, one of its top-quality UAW plants.
The Chevrolet Cruze features jazzy styling cues and jazzy $99 a month lease payments via Ally Financial. Cruze diesel could well get a Detroit Show car-of-the-year gold medal.
Diesel makes the difference, it's almost as good as BMW's MINI car or Honda's Civic.
Outselling Corolla and Elantra last month with 27,226 sales, a jump of 70 percent, Cruze alone topped Ford Fusion and Focus in U.S. sales.
GM's U.S. sales operations VP Kurt McNeil confirmed that all four GM brands would be getting “new products” (including diesel.) GM Chairman Dan Akerson can't wait!
NOTE: We'll report from Traverse City starting this weekend.
2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Specs and Competition
Front-wheel-drive five-passenger compact sedan
Base
price: $24,885
Price as tested: $25,590 (excluding
destination charge)
Safety equipment: Antilock brakes; stability
control; curtain air bags; driver and front and rear seat side air bags;
front knee air bags; power locks, windows and mirrors; six months OnStar
service, including automatic crash notification and turn-by-turn
directions.
Specifications as tested
Engine:
2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged DOHC variable timing 16-valve
four-cylinder diesel.
Power: 151 hp @ 4,000 rpm; 264 lb-ft of
torque @ 2,600; 280 lb-ft overboost
Transmission: Six-speed
automatic
EPA fuel economy rating: 27 m.p.g. city/46 highway/33
combined. Diesel.
Dimensions
Wheelbase: 105.7
inches
Length: 181.0 inches
Width: 70.7 inches
Height: 58.1 inches
Curb weight: 3,475 lbs.
Where assembled: Lordstown, Ohio.
Behind the wheel
Base price: $24,885
Price as tested:
$25,590 (excluding destination charge)
Rating: 3 (out of four
stars)
Reasons to buy: Fuel economy, power, passenger and
luggage room, voice recognition.
Shortcomings: Interior fits,
touch screen size and sensitivity.
Key features on vehicle tested
Standard equipment: Antilock brakes; stability
control; curtain air bags; driver and front and rear seat side air bags;
front knee air bags; power locks, windows and mirrors; six months OnStar
service, including crash notification and turn-by-turn directions; remote
keyless entry; remote start; leather seats heated front seats; power
six-way adjustable driver seat; manual six-way adjustable front passenger
seat; 60/40 split folding rear seat; air conditioning; three months XM
satellite radio service; driver information center; cruise control; manual
tilt and telescoping steering column steering wheel controls for audio,
phone and cruise; six-speaker audio system; Bluetooth compatible for music
and hands free phone; iPod compatible; 7.0-inch touch screen; voice
recognition; solar glass; 17-inch painted aluminum wheels; tire sealant and
inflator; aerodynamic performance package.
Options: Backup
camera; crystal red metallic paint; heated side mirrors; auto dimming
rearview mirror; illuminated vanity mirrors.
Competitive EPA fuel economy ratings
(Automatic transmission models)
Chevrolet Cruze
diesel: 27 m.p.g. city/46 m.p.g. highway/33 m.p.g. combined. Diesel
fuel.
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 1.4L: 26 m.p.g. city/38 m.p.g.
highway/30 m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
Dodge Dart Limited
2.0L: 24 m.p.g. city/34 m.p.g. highway/27 m.p.g. combined. Regular
gasoline.
Ford Focus Titanium hatchback: 27 m.p.g. city/37
m.p.g. highway/31 m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
Honda Civic
EX-L: 28 m.p.g. city/29 m.p.g. highway/32 m.p.g. combined. Regular
gasoline.
Hyundai Elantra Limited: 28 m.p.g. city/38 m.p.g.
highway/32 m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
2014 Kia Forte EX
sedan: 24 m.p.g. city/36 m.p.g. highway/28 m.p.g. combined. Regular
gasoline.
2014 Mazda 3s hatchback: 28 m.p.g. city/37 m.p.g.
highway/31 m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
Nissan Sentra SL:
30 m.p.g. city/39 m.p.g. highway/34 m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
Toyota Corolla S Special: 26 m.p.g. city/34 m.p.g. highway/29
m.p.g. combined. Regular gasoline.
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Premium:
30 m.p.g. city/42 m.p.g. highway/34 m.p.g. combined. Diesel fuel.
Comparative base prices (excluding destination charges)
(Automatic transmission models)
Chevrolet Cruze LTZ 1.4L:
$23,705
Dodge Dart Limited 2.0L: $21,245
Ford Focus
Titanium hatchback: $24,115
Honda Civic EX-L: $22,265
Hyundai Elantra Limited: $21,115
2014 Kia Forte EX:
$19,400
Nissan Sentra SL: $19,590
Toyota Corolla S
Special: $20,550
Volkswagen Jetta TDI Premium:
$25,595