2011 Chevy Cruze Eco / XFE will have 1.4 turbo, 42 mpg (US) hwy rating

[MetroMPG]

GM is saying there will be an XFE-equivalent in the new Cruze (the Cobalt's replacement):


source: ABG

It is expected to deliver segment-leading fuel economy with a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing – including up to 40 mpg on the highway with a high-efficiency model.

All Cruze models will get 6 speeds, both automatics and manuals.

For comparison, the current Cobalt XFE is rated 37 mpg highway.

Full press release: LA 2009: Chevrolet finally unveils the U.S.-market production 40 mpg 2011 Cruze — Autoblog Green

[PaleMelanesian]

Wha? 1.4L engine vs 2.2 and it only gets 3 mpg better?

[tjts1]

Reducing engine size doesn't just magically improve fuel economy. You still need to expend energy to move the same mass. This turbo 1.4 sounds very promising. I hope they come out with a wagon version. If its rated at 40mpg by the EPA, we should be able to beat that number with some careful driving. 45 or 50mpg isn't inconceivable.

[cfg83]

MetroMPG -

Thanks for the URL. I like to look for the "hidden" grill blocks on new car grills :



It looks like it's not symmetrical to me. It's a little more open to the lower-right of the Chevy badge. Makes me want to look under the hood to see if there is a clue in the engine layout. The grill above the Chevy badge looks open to me as well.

Volt and Cruze comparison shot :




CarloSW2

[MadisonMPG]

Cool, I still think passenger side mirror delete would be a good idea.

[tjts1]

It seems like the US market cruze sits about an inch higher than the same car sold in other markets.

Originally Posted by MadisonMPG

Cool, I still think passenger side mirror delete would be a good idea.

I think all outside mirrors on new cars should be replaced by rear view cameras. The technology is so cheap and common now. Most new luxury cars have rear view camera. The regulation requiring outside mirrors should be changed to allow side view cameras from the factory.

[NeilBlanchard]

Apparently, the Cruze weighs about 3,100 pounds! Yikes! Why are cars so heavy?

[tjts1]

Because death by car crash sucks and even the 'compact' cars of today are as big as the midsized cars of 10 years ago.

[PaleMelanesian]

And yet somehow the new Insight, with batteries included, weighs 2700 lb and gets top crash safety scores. There's more to the story.

[tjts1]

The insight is still a real compact.