First Ever Diesel in a Compact Chevrolet
Chevrolet is unveiling their first compact diesel models at the Bologna Motor Show (which continues through Sunday) in Italy. The Lacetti Diesel and Nubira Diesel are first compact class diesel models Chevrolet has released. Interestingly Chevrolet chose to unveil the cars in Italy because it is the company's strongest market in Western Europe. They will be hoping that the diesel models of the Lacetti and Nubira will emulate the success of the existing Captiva SUV diesel model, which accounts for almost 70 percent of all Captivas sold.
Three compact models, the Lacetti, Lacetti/Nubira sedan and Lacetti/Nubira station wagon, will use the 2.0-liter 89 kW / 121 hp common rail engine which delivers a powerful maximum torque of 280 Nm / 207 ft-lbs at 2,000 rpm. This allows the three models to attain a 0 to 100 km/h / 62 mph in 9.8 seconds and have a top speed of 186 km/h / 115 mph. The sedan uses just 5.7L per 100km as measured by the Motor Vehicle Emissions Group to give 41 mpg and over 1,000 kilometers / 621 miles maximum range.
The four-valve, turbocharged SOHC engine uses the latest-generation Bosch common-rail system to benefit from high combustion chambers pressures and has an aluminum cylinder head and a balance shaft.
Over 160,000 Lacettis and Nubiras were sold across Europe between 2002 and October 2006. The models will be available from March 2007 in Europe.
Related:
- Saturn Astra replaces the Ion for 2008, no more plastic bodies
- 2008 Smart ForTwo makes it's auto show debut in Bologna with special "edition limited one"
[Source: Chevrolet]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mfree 1:30PM (12/15/2006)
Wow... people sure don't remember their automotive history.
What exactly was the diesel Chevette?
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Phil L. 2:59PM (12/15/2006)
And at least the diesel Chevette was available in the US!
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M. 3:36AM (12/16/2006)
GM is finally beginning to emancipate from FIAT. The new Diesels are developed by VM Motori, but built in Korea. Until recently most of GMs Diesel engines for Europe where built by FIAT (except from some left-over 1.7l, 2.0l, 2.2l Opel Diesels).
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doug delano 8:56AM (12/16/2006)
There ya go, the perfect commuter car for the states, and the General decides Italy needs it more than their faltering North American operations.....
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DB 7:31PM (12/18/2006)
doug,
That's because smaller cars have always sold well in Italy. We're just getting started with selling smaller cars in the US again. Until the US market is more open to diesels and people here are more aware that diesel engines and fuel today are not what they were was 20-30 years ago, GM will have to wait a few more years to bring something like this to the US. All in due time, whether it's from GM, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Audi- compact diesels will be here in the US within about 5 years.
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GF 7:06AM (12/18/2006)
People, please check your facts. Here in South America we've had Chevrolet Corsa Diesels for quite a while. This is NOT the first Diesel GM Engine.
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GF 7:29AM (12/18/2006)
for a compact car I mean.
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Greg A. 8:22AM (12/18/2006)
#2 "And at least the diesel Chevette was available in the US!"
You make that sound like it was a good thing. :p
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Derek 10:28PM (12/28/2006)
IF it meets US emissions standards, that's the rub. Benz and VW are having troubles keeping their diesel models available in the US. I'll bet that emissions, combined with the US markets backwards view of diesels is keeping what looks like a great car off our market.
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