Chevrolet To Lure TDI Crowd With Cruze Hatchback 6 Speed Diesel

Before it was bad to own a diesel it was good to own one. Prior to the Dieselgate emissions scandal, Volkswagen built up a small but loyal following of people who adored getting truly amazing fuel economy with their diesel powered cars. Since VW got caught lying about the pollutants pouring out of the tailpipe of its diesel cars, TDI fans have been suffering from separation anxiety. No other manufacturer has offered anything like their beloved TDIs — until now. Rejoice, diesel fans. Chevrolet feels your pain.

The bow tie brand says it will offer a diesel engine mated to a 9 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmission for the Cruze sedan beginning in early 2017. Those powertrain choices will be extended to the newly introduced Cruze hatchback in 2018. No turbocharger, but what the heck. It will be the closest thing to the move loved Volkswagen SportWagon TDI available in the US market.

The last Cruze offered with a diesel engine was in 2015. It had a base price of $26,485, including shipping, and was rated at 27 mpg city/44 highway/32 combined with a six-speed automatic. Today, the Cruze with a gas engine and 6 speed automatic has a highway rating of 40 mpg.
Add a diesel and a 9 speed tranny and some think the combo could top out at or near 50 mpg.

“We expect it to do better than that (40 mpg highway with the gasoline version) but we can’t talk numbers yet,” said David Poniatowski, program manager for the Cruze. AutoPacific analyst Dave Sullivan thinks GM would be happy with 47 or 48 mpg. “If the Cruze diesel can hit 47 or 48 mpg, it should be a success in closing the gap with hybrids for highway driving efficiency,” Sullivan said. “Keep in mind that the Malibu Hybrid gets 46 mpg on the highway.”

Some are annoyed that GM and Chevrolet are continuing to pump the tires on diesel engines when what the world really needs is cars with no tailpipe emissions at all. But for those who went into a state of depression when the Volkswagen TDI was taken off the market, this is welcome news indeed. The newly introduced Cruze hatchback is attractively styled. Squint a little while tugging your left ear and it looks like a 5 door Tesla Model 3. With a price under $30,000 and phenomenal gas mileage, it could prove to be a popular choice for a lot of people.

2014 Diesel Sales Are Up 25%

Sales of diesel powered cars in the US are up 25% in 2014, far ahead of the 4.2% total increase in new car sales for the year so far. These stats come via the Diesel Technology Forum, and seems to show a decidedly favorable outloot for diesel vehicle sales in the U.S. Oddly, Volkswagen, which offers the most number of diesel powered models, has seen an 8% decline in sales, though that was somewhat made up for by its corporate cousin, Audi, which has see a four-fold increase in diesel sales to 8,100 units.

The Chevy Cruze diesel is also enjoying strong sales, with 3,000 units sold so far in 2014. In all, there are there are 46 diesel models sold in the U.S., and 27 of them are cars or SUVs Despite this though, diesels account for just 3% of the U.S. market at present. However, analysts expect that number to double over the next 3 years. Yes, diesel fuel costs more than gasoline, but diesel engines return about 30% better fuel economy, more than making up for  the few extra cents per gallon. And if you are driving a car that requires premium gas – which many luxury cars do – the difference in cost of fuel is rather minimal.

The government is pushing automakers to make huge gains in average fuel economy in coming years, and for many, the diesel option is far less costly than hybrids, plug-in hybrids or electric cars. There is no “range anxiety” associated with diesel an more like there was 20 years ago. In fact, most motorists are pleasantly surprised how quiet and responsive modern diesel engines can be.

While the marketplace is sorting out what the future of transportation will be, diesel powered cars will remain part of the mix. One big advantage they enjoy over gasoline powered cars and high tech cars like PHEV’s, EV’s and fuel cell vehicles is strong resale value. That’s a powerful incentive to go the diesel route for many prospective purchasers.

via AutoBlog

Cadillac Has A Lot To Learn From Tesla

In a recent interview with AdAge, Cadillac CMO Uwe Eillinghaus remains unapologetic regarding the controversial “Poolside” commercial starring the Cadillac ELR. And while he’s also an admitted proponent of vehicle electrification it’ll take a lot more than than a tarted-up Chevy Volt and a controversial commercial for Cadillac to compete with Tesla.

On Tesla, Ellinghaus said;

“Tesla teaches us a message: If you offer cars with an electric drive-train that have superb driving characteristics and a beautiful [interior], they find customers. What doesn’t work is to position a car for people who are tree-huggers and green-wash an entire brand.”

Gee, you mean all it takes to find customers is to build a great car? YOU DON’T SAY!

While I don’t necessarily disagree with Ellinghaus’s sentiment, though he seems to be missing a major point. The Tesla Model S appeals to both treehuggers and luxury car buyers, which is what has made it such a huge success. The polarizing “Poolside” commercial did the ELR no favors with the green crowd, espousing the virtues of hard workwhile deriding Europeans for taking a month off from work each year. As though spending quality time with your family is somehow wrong.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is ready to offer free Supercharging stations powered by the sun to Tesla customers. That’s value and environmentalism, a one-two punch that has put Tesla on top in very short order. Tesla didn’t “greenwash” its entire brand, and neither is BMW by offering the i3 and i8 electric vehicles. Offering one hybrid does not a green brand make.

With less than 300 Cadillac ELRs sold through the end of May, Tesla has little to worry about from Uwe and the Cadillac brand, at least for now. While some ELR owners seem happy with their Chevy Volt-based hybrids, many dealerships are having to offer huge discounts to move the ELR off of lots. The ELR will not compete with the Tesla Model S in its current form.

The next-generation ELR, however, could prove to be a viable Tesla competitor if rumors of more range and more room are true. But this brings me to my next point; Cadillac is a brand obsessed with copying the success of other brands, and not just Tesla.

The Cadillac ATS was built to compete directly with the BMW 3-Series, even going so far as to do much of its testing on Germany’s Nurburgring. The Cadillac ELR was priced to compete with the Tesla Model S, even though it’s in no way a comparable car. How about an idea that is unique Cadillac, instead of a poorly-conceived (though well-executed) copy?

If Ellinghaus wants to embrace conservatism and relentless work ethic, then by all means that’s what Cadillac should do. But if they want to go after the Tesla crowd, they’ll need to temper their rhetoric with some good old fashioned tree-hugging. The reason the Tesla Model S is so appealing is that it’s a great car that also happens to be green, and Tesla anchors the Model S on both fronts. The Cadillac ELR is an OK car with green credentials that are never even mentioned. The only thing the two have in common is a price point, and nearly every publication agrees that the ELR is overpriced by tens of thousands of dollars.

I do think Cadillac can build a Tesla Model S competitor, but it will have to be a purpose-built electric or hybrid car, and not a thrice-worked-over Chevy Cruze.

Source: Cadillac/GM

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: First Drive

It’s not every day Chevrolet executives talk about launching at car that competes directly with … a Volkswagen.

The new 2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel, however, aims directly at the only affordable compact four-door sedan with a diesel engine sold in the U.S. until now: the Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

So within months of VW’s addition of a hybrid model to the Jetta lineup, Chevy has gone up against the Jetta TDI’s dominance and unveiled GM’s first diesel-enginedpassenger car since 1986.

While it’s pricier than various Cruze models with conventional gasoline engines, fuel economy is the Cruze Diesel’s raison d’etre: The EPA rates it at 33 mpg combined (27 mpg city, 46 mpg city). That’s the highest highway rating for any non-hybrid vehicle sold in the U.S., as Chevy pointed out several times.

That’s the same as the Cruze Eco with six-speed manual gearbox (28 mpg city, 42 mpg highway). That efficiency model is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter gasoline engine, and incorporates a host of weight-reduction measures and aerodynamic tweaks (some of which have made their way into the Cruze Diesel as well).

B20 biodiesel

One benefit for diesel drivers intrigued by renewable fuels: The diesel Cruze accepts fuel up to 20 percent biodiesel, or B20. It’s the only diesel passenger car to do so, although some diesel trucks now take B20 as well. But the Jetta TDI, for instance, is only warranted up to B5.

With its 15.6-gallon fuel tank, the diesel Cruze offers a real-world highway range of 700 miles or more. While that’s likely far beyond the range of most occupants’ bladders, it does mean owners have to fill up less frequently—which makes up for having fewer fuel stations.

Today, about 60 percent of U.S. gas stations also offer diesel fuel, with roughly half of them having it on the main pump ranks. (The other half has its diesel pumps somewhere else on the property, usually in a place where semis and big rigs can fuel up.)

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, 2013 Chicago Auto Show

What's it called again?

Our test car was a base 2014 Chevrolet “Cruze Turbo Diesel”—which Chevy marketing materials also sometimes call the “Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel”. We’re going to call it the Cruze Diesel from now on, as we suspect virtually every buyer will.

Our test route, unusually, had as much high-speed highway driving as secondary and rural roads on it—testimony to GM’s confidence in the diesel Cruze’s high efficiency at higher speeds.

Over the first 43-mile leg, we averaged 39.2 miles per gallon according to the car’s digital display. On the 43-mile return route, that rose incrementally to 39.4 mpg.

We conclude that in everyday usage, the Cruze Diesel should easily return 36 to 42 mpg unless there’s a lot of heavy stop-and-go driving. Anecdotal tales by Cruze Diesel testers indicate that pure highway driving can return even higher figures, as much as 50 mpg or more—though we’ll wait to confirm those numbers ourselves before we believe them.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, 2013 Chicago Auto Show

Eurodiesel engine, beefier transmission

Under the hood is a 151-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine—built by GM in Germany—that puts out 264 lb-ft of torque. (The comparable figures for the VW Jetta TDI’s 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine are 140 hp and 236 lb-ft.)

The diesel engine in the Cruze is mated to a six-speed automatic made by Aisin, a beefier unit than the GM-made six-speed automatic used in gasoline Cruzes.

At idle, both inside the car and outside, it’s obvious this Cruze isn’t powered by a gasoline engine. There’s the characteristic sewing-machine growl of a diesel engine, but it’s not objectionable—just different. And on acceleration, although engine noise rises, the Cruze Diesel stays civilized, proof of a lot of effort put into noise suppression. It’s clearly quieter inside than the Jetta TDI, which can approach raucous under hard acceleration.

Strong pull in heavy car

On the road, the Cruze Diesel performs pretty much the way you’d expect a modern diesel passenger car to perform. It’s not terribly quick off the line, but as soon as the diesel revs up, it pulls strongly. Chevy quotes a 0-to-60-mph acceleration time of 8.6 seconds, which lets drivers keep up with traffic. Pedal input is linear, meaning that the driver has to push the accelerator pedal through some travel before acceleration comes on—unlike the touchy pedals used in some Japanese vehicles with gasoline engines.

It’s a heavy car, though—some 250 pounds heavier than a gasoline Cruze—due to the heavier engine, stronger transmission, bigger brakes, and extra equipment like the tank for Diesel Emission Fluid, or liquid urea.

That means that it’s smooth and comfortable, but hardly encourages sporting driving. In that respect, the Cruze Diesel differs from the trimmer Jetta TDI, which feels more light and agile from behind the wheel. The electric power steering is about average, neither as numb as most Toyotas nor as tactile and connected as the best Mazda steering.

Numerous new and redesigned parts

Many diesel fans have asked, “Why can’t carmakers bring over the diesels they sell in Europe?” The large number of unique components that Chevrolet developed for the U.S. version of its 2.0-liter diesel engine highlights just how different the two markets are.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel

The U.S. version of the engine required many redesigned components to meet tougher U.S. emissions standards and the much greater temperature extremes found on the North American continent.

Just a few of the components included a new exhaust manifold, different exhaust-gas recirculation, ceramic glow plugs and an optional oil-pan heater for cold starting, a new timing belt and tensioner system, and numerous additional sensors in the exhaust system.

Chevrolet engineers also remapped the first three gears of the automatic transmission to provide smoother shifts and more seamless power delivery for North American drivers less accustomed to obvious and abrupt gear changes than their European counterparts.

Urea tank: 10,000-plus miles

The Cruze Diesel injects liquid urea into the exhaust to take care of challenging diesel emissions levels—unlike the Jetta TDI. Engineers admit that much of the North American development work will help future Cruze models comply with stricter European emission standards that are part of the Euro6 rules due in just a few years.

The urea tank has been designed to provide at least 10,000 miles of driving per tank—meaning that it can be refilled by the dealer at every major service interval. Chevy engineers suggested that owners may well get considerably more than that distance from each tank, depending on usage.

Aero tweaks from Eco

The Cruze Diesel benefits from work on other Cruze models that reduces aerodynamic drag to increase fuel efficiency at higher speeds. It uses the same active shutter under the grille that pioneered on the high-MPG Cruze Eco gasoline model, which reduces drag by closing off airflow through the engine compartment when it’s not needed for cooling.

The diesel Cruze also has a decklid spoiler, panels under the body to smooth airflow, and low-rolling-resistance tires on its unique 17-inch painted aluminum wheels.

Chevrolet has also put a lot of effort into customized acoustic treatments for the diesel version, adapting some from the very quiet Buick Verano compact sedan that uses Cruze underpinnings. In our judgment, they work. While drivers and passengers will be conscious they’re in a diesel car if they listen for it, the Cruze Diesel is pleasantly quiet under most circumstances (if not quite as quiet at highway speeds as the standard version, perhaps the quietest compact we’ve ever tested).

Mid-twenties or more

The base Cruze Diesel comes standard with features that are options on other Cruze models, including leather-appointed seating with front seat heaters, remote keyless entry, remote start, a 7-inch color touchscreen for the six-speaker audio system, and a Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system that includes Bluetooth audio streaming.

Options include a navigation system and an Enhanced Safety Package that incorporates side blind-zone alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking assist. The Cruze Diesel comes with 10 airbags as standard (the Jetta TDI has only six) and the usual suite of electronic safety systems.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel

Our test car was the standard 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel, which carried a base price of $25,695. Its sole option was a $100 oil-pan heater, so with the mandatory $810 delivery fee, its bottom-line sticker price came to $25,795.

Adding navigation and appearance options to that total will bring it toward $30,000, which may seem a lot for a compact sedan, but is still roughly comparable to the highest end of the Jetta TDI range.

The navigation system, by the way, can be programmed to filter fueling stations so only those offering diesel fuel appear on the map. The Cruze Diesel doesn’t come that way from the factory; instead, the filters are supposed to be set by the dealer during the car’s pre-delivery inspection. Chevy claims it’s an easy setting for owners to change if the dealer should forget.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel

Chevrolet marketers suggest that the Cruze Diesel costs less than a “comparable” diesel Jetta TDI, which they say is fitted with two extra-cost options: a Premium package and VW’s six-speed direct-shift automatic gearbox. That car carries a base price of $26,325—or $630 more than the diesel Cruze.

That said, it should be noted that the least expensive 2013 VW Jetta TDI (base trim, six-speed manual gearbox) is $23,055.

Diesel fans and enthusiasts have repeatedly asked whether Chevy will offer a six-speed manual transmission in the U.S. Cruze Diesel—as it does in the European version. Chevrolet marketing executives would say only that they’re starting with the transmission most Americans are used to, and that they’ll monitor market demand for the car and additional model variations.

The powertrain warranty for the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel is 5 years or 100,000 miles.

Source: Green Car Reports

Plug-In Hybrids, EVs Not Holding Resale Value Compared To Conventional Cars

Anyone who has ever bought a new car knows that the second you drive it off of the lot, it has lost thousands of dollars in value. That is why automakers often tout the high resale value of their cars, hoping to convince some buyers that they’ll see a decent return on their investment down the road. But a new study shows that buyers of EVs and plug-in hybrids may have to settle for a little less than they hoped for.

Two price-tracking sites, Kelley Blue Book and ALG, peg the resale value of the 2012 Nissan Leaf at about 20% of its MSRP after five years. This means that the $36,000 EV will be worth approximately $7,200 after five years on the road. For some reason, the Nissan Sentra was used as a benchmark, even though the Leaf is actually based on the smaller (and cheaper!) Nissan Versa. KBB and ALG peg the resale value of a Sentra at about 30% of its MSRP after 5 years.

Then there is the Chevy Volt, which costs a bit more ($39,995) but also has a much better resale value. KBB and ALG state that after 5 years, the Chevy Volt will be worth about 30% of its original MSRP, compared to the Chevy Cruze compact (which the Volt IS based off of) which will be worth around 38% of its value after five years.

Of course it isn’t all bad news. If you take into account the $7,500 federal tax rebate available to both the Leaf and the Volt, all of the sudden things like pretty peachy for early adopters and used car fans alike. If those resale values hold true, it means you could buy a Nissan Leaf for under $8,000, and a Chevy Volt for around $13,000 in just a few years time. Not too shabby!

Source: Detroit Free Press

GM Executive Confirms 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Plug-In Hybrid

The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan is an important car for General Motors.

It's hugely outselling its lackluster predecessor, the Chevy Cobalt, and the EPA rates the special Cruze Eco model at 42 mpg in the highway cycle, giving it gas-mileage bragging rights.

Plug-in hybrid to join diesel model

But Chevrolet has big plans for future Cruze models. Now we learn that among them are a plug-in hybrid version that could debut as soon as 2014, following the 2013 Cruze clean-diesel model that was confirmed by CEO Dan Akerson in July.

Ten days ago, toward the end of the Los Angeles Auto Show media preview, GM executive Jim Federico told Australia's Go-Auto site: "The plug-in Cruze has a place and it will be a hybrid."

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Federico's full title is Executive Director, Group Vehicle Line Executive/Vehicle Chief Engineer for Global Compact, Small, Mini and Electric Vehicles. In other words, he's a man who knows the product plan.

“Plug-in Cruze doesn’t make Volt redundant at all," Federico told Go-Auto. "Plug-in Cruze would have a different powertrain. Plug-in hybrids use both the engine and motor all the time.”

Paralleling the plug-in Prius

And that's the reason for the plug-in Cruze: It won't be a range-extended electric vehicle like the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, powered solely by an electric motor that gets its energy either from a lithium-ion battery pack or a gasoline-powered generator once the pack is depleted.

Instead, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Plug-In Hybrid will use a conventional hybrid drivetrain, paired with a larger battery pack that can also be plugged in to recharge it.

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, production model

This setup is very similar to the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid that hits dealerships next March. That car has a 5.2-kiilowatt-hour battery pack (versus the 1.4 kWh of a standard Prius) and delivers 9 to 13 miles of electric range--though its engine may switch on at any time regardless of remaining range.

Next-generation Two-Mode

The plug-in hybrid Cruze will use a front-wheel drive adaptation of GM's large and costly Two-Mode Hybrid system, which is currently offered only in full-size sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

A front-wheel drive adaptation of the current Two-Mode system was originally intended for a 2010 Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid model. When Saturn was killed during the GM bankruptcy, it was briefly destined for the 'Vuick,' a re-badged version of the Vue that was swiftly killed.

For awhile, it looked like it would land in the Cadillac SRX luxury compact crossover. But that program was killed in May, for reasons of added weight and sub-par performance. The Cruze plug-in hybrid represents a fresh start with the next generation of the system.

Many green options = product churn?

What to make of a plug-in hybrid Cruze model? It certainly shows GM moving forward on multiple fronts to offer a range of green technologies that meet the differing needs of its customers.

The 2013 Cruze diesel, for example, may be the best option for buyers who rack up lots of miles at freeway speeds, when diesels can be most efficient. A plug-in hybrid Cruze, on the other hand, may be better for frequent stop-and-go traffic and drivers who do lots of short trips.

Chevrolet Cruze EV, test fleet in South Korea, October 2010

And just for the record, GM has tested a fleet of all-electric Cruze EV sedans in Korea as well.

But we chatted with a GM insider who suggested that if the Cruze plug-in is really planned for a 2014 launch, it indicates that the near-term product range is continuing to change. That's not always such a good thing.

This past Summer, CFO Dan Ammann said the company's product plan needed to settle down and solidify to reduce the amount of money wasted in frequent changes of direction.

GreenCarReports reached out to GM representatives for comments on Federico's assertion and the idea of a 2014 Chevrolet Cruze plug-in hybrid model. We had not received any responses by the time this article was published; we'll add any information we may get from GM as it arrives.

Source: Green Car Reports

How the Chevy Volt leads buyers to the Cruze

2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Click above for high-res image gallery

Is the Chevy Volt just a big bait and switch? According to CNN Money (yep, that's the same site that recently called the Chevrolet Volt's technology obsolete), the Volt is more or less a brilliant marketing ploy dreamed up by some clever folks over at General Motors.

CNN Money says the Volt is a halo vehicle that, like the Chevrolet Corvette, draws buyers into showrooms. Once there, consumers seeking only a glimpse of the fire-breathing Corvette usually end up buying a more tame Chevy Impala. Likewise, the Volt, being a remarkable feat of engineering, draws in loads of potential buyers who opt for the significantly cheaper, though also amazingly fuel efficient, Chevy Cruze.

In other words, CNN Money says that, with regards to the Volt, GM has "used a tried-and-true marketing ploy to score a home run." Agree?



Source: Autoblog Green

Chevrolet Volt demo vehicles begin arriving at dealerships

Volts on Parade to Dealership Destinations








For consumers wanting to test drive a Chevrolet Volt, the electric car with extended-range capability, the wait is almost over.

Chevrolet dealerships in the initial launch markets of California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Virginia and Washington, D.C. will be receiving dedicated Volt demonstration vehicles for customer test drives over the next few weeks.

“We know the best way to experience the Volt is to get behind the wheel and drive it. Now dealers will have the ability to allow consumers to form their own opinions of the Volt through test drives and demonstrations,” said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet marketing director.

According to GM research, 85 percent of consumers searching for information about the Volt on Chevrolet.com looked at other Chevrolet vehicles. “We are seeing that the Volt is increasing traffic onto our dealer showroom floors and is exposing consumers to Chevys line of ‘gas-friendly’ vehicles, including the Cruze Malibu and Equinox,” Landy said.

In the first quarter of 2011, approximately 550 demonstration Volts will be delivered to Chevy dealers. By the end of the year, more than 2,500 U.S. dealers will receive a dedicated Volt for consumer demonstrations and test drives.

The demonstration Volts are the latest step Chevy has taken to match customer interest. Chevy expects to deliver Volts in all 50 states by the end of 2011. Customers nationwide will be able to order Volts with participating dealers beginning in the second quarter. Deliveries will begin in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in the third quarter.

The Volt is an electric vehicle that offers a total driving range of up to 379 miles, based on EPA estimates. For the first 35 miles, the Volt can drive gas- and tailpipe-emissions-free using a full charge of electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery. When the Volt’s battery runs low, a gas-powered engine/generator seamlessly operates to extend the driving range another 344 miles on a full tank.

# # #

About Chevrolet

Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet celebrates its centennial as a global automotive brand with annual sales of about 4.25 million vehicles in more than 120 countries. Chevrolet provides consumers with fuel-efficient, safe and reliable vehicles that deliver high quality, expressive design, spirited performance and value. The Chevrolet portfolio includes iconic performance cars such as Corvette and Camaro; dependable, long-lasting pickups and SUVs such as Silverado and Suburban; and award-winning passenger cars and crossovers such as Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Equinox and Traverse. Chevrolet also offers “gas-friendly to gas-free" solutions including Cruze Eco and Volt. Cruze Eco offers 42 mpg highway while Volt offers 35 miles of electric, gasoline-free driving and an additional 344 miles of extended range. Most new Chevrolet models offer OnStar safety, security and convenience technologies including OnStar Hands-Free Calling, Automatic Crash Response and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. More information regarding Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Source: GM

More Information From GM Regarding the Chevrolet Sail Electric Vehicle

Chevrolet Sail Electric Concept Vehicle

Enlarge Photo

Whilst the U.S. and Europe get the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2012 Opel and Vauxhall Ampera, it seems all the full battery-electric vehicles are going to the Far East, and they're keeping fairly quiet about it.

A few months back we revealed GM's plans to test an electric version of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan in South Korea. The prototype uses a 31-kilowatt-hour battery pack and offers a range of up to 100 miles, competitive with the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Performance is competitive too, with an 8.2 second 0-60mph time, and a top speed of around 100mph.

Now, Shanghai GM has revealed the Sail electric concept vehicle. Developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automorive Center (PATAC), the Sail EV is based on a regular gasoline car of the same name that went on sale at the beginning of 2010. In terms of size, the Sail sits below the Cruze, but above the Spark.

Powered by a 64 kilowatt motor producing maximum torque of 162 lb/ft, the Sail should offer more than adequate performance for the "ordinary Chinese families" the car is targeted at. Maximum speed is less than the Cruze EV at 80 miles per hour, and range is a little less too at around 93 miles. In congested Chinese cities though, this should be more than enough. Some energy can be reclaimed though regenerative braking and an Intelligent Charging Assisting System maximizes the energy conversion ratio.

The Sail shouts louder about its electric powertrain than the Cruze did, with unique wheel designs, a streamlined body and some fancy graphics, which GM said has been "inspired by leaves", though presumably not those of a Nissan variety...

GM has said before that they're going to start producing electric cars in small numbers "for testing purposes". What the Sail and Cruze EVs tell us is that GM is serious about the electric car. GM branches all around the world are able to develop high technology products which will surely be of benefit to the company as a whole, as technical expertise from local partners such as PATAC is eventually shared worldwide.

Might this one day lead to a new GM EV1? We can only hope.



Source: AllCarsElectric

ELectric Cruze From GM Heading To India

The Chevy Electric Cruze










General Motors plans to launch the electric version of its Chevy Spark in selected cities in India by the end of the year.

GM India President Karl Slym said that the company will review the response of customers for the zero-emissions, battery-electric model and that its future strategy regarding electric versions of its models in India will be based on this.

The success of electric cars both in India and globally will depend on their affordability and eventual utility for the end consumer.

Slym added, "Our aim is to bring something that would break the mold which is as affordable as possible and has a utility value as well."Various city and state governments in India are offering tax incentives to EV buyer to make the vehicles more competitive with non-EVs.

Apparently, GM does not consider this small electric vehicle viable for the US marketplace. Unfortunately, GM will offer a gasoline powered variant in the States.

Source: Edmunds.com

Chevrolet Will Debut 2011 Cruze Eco at NY Show

Auto shows are seemingly endless with events in the US and around the world scheduled every month. The next edition will be the New York Auto Show where Chevrolet will proudly display the 2011 Cruze Eco. Certainly this car will be a success and maybe even the flagship of Chevy sedans. Our beef is the 40 mpg highway rating. Why can't we achieve greater mileages in a compact car on the highway? All we hear is how technology is improving and internal combustion engines are uber-efficient, lean and mean machines. Really? Can 50 mpg on the highway be that difficult of a target in a compact car? We think not and believe the major auto manufacturers are purposefully dragging their feet. Consider the VW Jetta Sportswagen diesel attains 41 mpg on the highway with a larger frame and better performance.

C'mon GM, you can do better.

From Green Car Congress:

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. Click to enlarge.

At the upcoming New York International Auto Show, Chevrolet will reveal the compact 2011 Cruze Eco—the high-efficiency model referenced last year that will deliver an estimated 40 mpg on the highway using a 1.4L Ecotec turbo with variable valve timing mated to a six-speed manual transmission. (Earlier post.) Along with the Eco, the 2011 Cruze will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trims.

City fuel economy, as well as estimates for the Cruze Eco equipped with an available six-speed automatic transmission, will be finalized closer to launch. The Cruze Eco will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The Eco achieves greater fuel economy using a number of features that enhance its aerodynamics, minimize weight and reduce rolling resistance. Details include:

• A lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to improve aerodynamics and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow.
• The upper grille has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics.
• A lower front air dam extension, extensive use of underbody panels and a rear spoiler enhance aerodynamics.
• A lowered ride height improves aerodynamics.
• Unique 17-inch lightweight aluminum wheels.
• Ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires.

The axle ratio on the manual-transmission model is also optimized for fuel economy, while helping the car deliver confident performance. Chevrolet estimates the Cruze Eco will deliver 0-60 mph performance of about 10 seconds with the manual transmission and 9 seconds with the six-speed automatic.

Cruze’s 1.4L Ecotec turbo is standard on Eco, LT and LTZ models. Rated at an estimated at 138 hp (103 kW) and 148 lb-ft of torque (200 N·m), it enables a cruising range of more than 500 miles (800 km). At approximately 100 horsepower per liter, the new turbocharged 1.4L has the power of a larger engine but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions.

The 1.4L’s turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility in smaller vehicles. A reinforced crankshaft and stronger connecting rods are unique, delivering additional strength to support the engine’s pressurized, high-rpm performance.

Standard on LS models is a 1.8L Ecotec four-cylinder rated at an estimated 136 hp (184 kW) and 123 lb-f. of torque (166 N·m). Backing the Cruze’s engines are six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Cruze models for the United States and Canada will be produced at the Lordstown, Ohio assembly complex. In February, Chevrolet announced the addition of a third shift at Lordstown that will add 1,200 workers to support a ramp-up of Cruze production. More than $350 million has been invested to re-tool the plant and add new manufacturing equipment.

LA Auto Show To Be Site of the Unveiling of North American Chevy Cruze

2011 Chevy Cruze










One has to wonder why it is taking GM so long to bring this vehicle to North America? In today's economy, this is a car that makes perfect sense and should immediately find a receptive market. Maybe that is wy they are taking so long....it just makes good sense!

From Green Car Congress:

GM unveils the US production version of the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan at the LA Auto Show on 2 December. The Cruze will compete with vehicles such as Toyota Corolla; Honda Civic; Ford Focus; Hyundai Elantra; and Nissan Sentra.

The Cruze is a GM global car; the North American version features a new Ecotec 1.4L I-4 turbo with variable valve timing that delivers up to an estimated 40 mpg (EPA ratings pending) on the highway with a high-efficiency model. GM has already introduced the Cruze in Europe and Asia.

Cruze goes on sale in the US in the third quarter of 2010 but has already logged more than 4 million miles in quality and durability testing worldwide, making it one of the most real world-tested GM products prior to a US launch. The US and Canadian versions of the Cruze will be built in Lordstown, Ohio, where US$350 million was invested for their production.

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be offered in LS, LT and LTZ trims. The models will feature a new family of efficient four-cylinder engines, including a 1.4L turbo and 1.8L unit, coupled with six-speed automatic and manual transmissions. Electric power steering is standard.

Enhanced with its exhaust-driven turbocharger, the Cruze’s Ecotec 1.4L turbo performs like a larger engine when needed, but retains the efficiency of a small-displacement four-cylinder in most driving conditions. It is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb-ft of torque (200 N·m).

Standard on LS models is an Ecotec 1.8L four-cylinder that has the same basic architecture as the 1.4L turbo. Both engines are part of GM’s family of global small-displacement engines designed with fuel efficiency in mind, including technology such as full variable valve timing that optimizes performance and fuel economy across the rpm band.

With the Ecotec 1.4L turbo, Cruze’s fuel efficiency enables a cruising range of more than 500 miles (800 km).

Engines for the 2011 Cruze
	1.8L DOHC I-4	1.4L turbocharged DOHC I-4
Displacement (cu. in. / cc):	110 / 1796	83.2 / 1364
Bore and stroke (in. / mm):	3.17 x 3.47 / 80.5 x 88.2	2.85 x 3.25 / 72.5 x 82.6
Block material	cast iron	cast iron
Cylinder head material:	cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, double continuously cam phaser intake and exhaust (DCVCP)
Ignition system	individual coil on plug	individual coil on plug
Fuel delivery	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control	sequential multi-port fuel injectors with electronic throttle control
Compression ratio	10.5:1	9.5:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm)	136 / 101 @ 6300 (est.)	138 / 103 @ 4900 (est.)
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm)	123 / 167 @ 3800 (est.)	148 / 200 @ 1850 (est.)
Recommended fuel	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
Max engine speed (rpm)	6500	6500
Emissions controls	close-coupled catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O2 sensor	close-coupled and underfloor catalytic converters; Quick-Sync 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; fast light-off O2 sensor
EPA-est. fuel economy	TBD	TBD