Cruze Diesel = 46 MPG Hwy

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Yeah, it seems like the 1.4eco is the true fuel economy king, not this 2.0 diesel.

Unless the diesel will fit in the 6MT eco trim.

Might be a nice project in a decade or so.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by UltArc

Unless the diesel will fit in the 6MT eco trim.

I might admit I considered quite dumb to not make the Diesel available with the Eco trim, or even a version specifically oriented for fuel savings with hand-cranked windows, some lightened body panels made out of fiberglass for the trunk lid, hood, front fenders and eventually door panels (not the door frames at least in a first moment), a simplified (then also lightened) trim, including the seats. I could also suggest some manually-adjustable seatbelts instead of the retractible ones, but the American customer would hate it...

[Blue Angel]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Yeah, it seems like the 1.4eco is the true fuel economy king, not this 2.0 diesel.

I wouldn't go that far...

Sure, the economics of paying more for the diesel over the Eco to save $ on fuel are debatable at best, but I don't think anyone will argue that the diesel gets worse mileage. Based on EPA testing the TD gets 46 MPG hwy vs. the Eco at 42 MPG, almost a 10% increase.

That 10% increase comes with an automatic transmission and almost 500 lbs. higher curb weight. It uses all the same aero tricks as the Eco, including the lower grille shutters.

If the Cruze TD were available in a lighter weight Eco variant with a taller geared manual transmission, I have no doubt that highway figure could be increased to 48 MPG or more.

[ERTW]

Originally Posted by sarguy01

My frugal mind is thinking, "How much does the Cruze Diesel cost??"

Answer, it will start at $25,600, according to the article. Ouch. 46 mpg is awesome, but it costs what, $9,000ish more than a regular gas Cruze? So, if we were speaking strictly on price, the Cruze diesel would never really break even over the 42 mpg hwy Cruze Eco, considering the cost of diesel is higher than the cost of gas. So, one would pay a lot more for the diesel option, then more for diesel at the pump and finally, more for diesel maintenance, correct? This is also assuming that one is set on buying a Cruze and no other car model.

Of course, I am basing this off of price alone and using EPA ratings and that article's estimations. I am not taking into account the gains that can be had by driving, modding, etc.

I am just throwing this out there as food for thought.

The Cruze Eco is a stripped down, row your own, FE champ.

The Cruze diesel is a loaded, automatic only, FE champ-beater.

Totally different segment. Much more user friendly. It has much more torque and is more fun to drive. And probably less dependent on driving style. GM wanted the Cruze to beat the Jetta in refinement as well. Compare apples to apples!

Currently, diesel cost has finally dropped below gasoline in Toronto area. As a less refined fuel, the cost should always be cheaper than petrol.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by ERTW

Currently, diesel cost has finally dropped below gasoline in Toronto area. As a less refined fuel, the cost should always be cheaper than petrol.

Unfortunately, such pricing equity has not trickled down to USA, and probably never will...'cuz the greedy never like giving anything BACK once it's been taken.

[GreenHornet]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

I might admit I considered quite dumb to not make the Diesel available with the Eco trim, or even a version specifically oriented for fuel savings with hand-cranked windows, some lightened body panels made out of fiberglass for the trunk lid, hood, front fenders and eventually door panels (not the door frames at least in a first moment), a simplified (then also lightened) trim, including the seats. I could also suggest some manually-adjustable seatbelts instead of the retractible ones, but the American customer would hate it...

Most of these modifications will be possible with the diesel variant as well as chip tunes in the future. Carbon fiber hoods and body kits are simple do it yourself projects. Seat swaps as well as other light weight savings possibilities are all game. I am pretty sure the transmission 6MT swap will also be viable with some work! I spent a great deal of time in these cars testing them out. Aerodynamics I think can definitely be improved upon as well as gearing. However weight would be hard do dramatically reduce unless you go to the extremes such as creating your own mid engined rear wheel drive variant in your own light weight custom chassis. Like a guy who did it with a VW TDI which is the co founder of Factory Five Racing BTW.

Here is a link to the mid engined RMR TDI kitcar design = Mark Smith on home built cars and small business America

GH

[UFO]

Originally Posted by GreenHornet

... I am pretty sure the transmission 6MT swap will also be viable with some work! I spent a great deal of time in these cars testing them out...
GH

Even if there was a way to mate the diesel with the 6MT and reprogram the computers, I doubt the ratios would be able to change to accommodate the lower RPM capability of the diesel. I would so jump on a row-your-own with a diesel, but automatic only is a sad sad situation.

[GreenHornet]

There are all ready transmission and engine tunes for the automatic and manual transmission versions. The transmission was overbuilt so it can with stand more torque and horsepower than the 1.4L turbo can put out. Also one thing to note is that the 1.4L turbo makes its max rpm low in its rpm range if I remember right it was around 1,750rpm which is very similar to a diesel in that regard.

I agree that only having the automatic option is sad. I definitely would have loved to see a manual option for sure. If the Cruze diesel manages to stay around for a while this may be something they offer down the road with enough demand from the consumer market.

GH..

[tjts1]

Originally Posted by Blue Angel

If the Cruze TD were available in a lighter weight Eco variant with a taller geared manual transmission, I have no doubt that highway figure could be increased to 48 MPG or more.

But that mythical creature doesn't exist in America so its a moot point. The Cruze Eco is the one to get if you care about fuel economy and running cost. Save the automatic cruze diesel for the pozers.

[MetroMPG]

Note that it wasn't a full year (deliveries started in May). Also, it wasn't available in all states initially.

Still:

Chevy delivered 3,028 Cruze Diesel models--with a price starting at $24,000--from May through December 31. That's about 1.2 percent of the total 248,224 Cruzes sold in 2013.

Anybody know what the Cruze ECO numbers are?

VS. the Jetta:

The Volkswagen Jetta TDI ... sold 26,587 units in 2013. That represents almost one out of every five Jetta sedans sold in the U.S.

Source: Diesel Vs Electric Chevrolet: Cruze Diesel Vs Volt Sales In 2013