Chevy Cruze will get turbo 1.4 liter and 40 mpg
Chevrolet has seen a double-digit sales increase of its Cobalt compact car this year since gas prices began their unstoppable upward trajectory. Fortunately for us in the states, the newfound importance of small cars means that we will likely see the new 1.4 liter turbocharged global-mill in the U.S. version of the Chevy Cruze when it goes on sale here in 2009. See, everything has an upside if you look hard enough. Fuel economy in the forties on the highway will be welcome, as will the adequate 120-140 horsepower. When the new Cruze goes on sale in its home market, it will be built in the Lordstown, Ohio plant where the Cobalt is currently assembled. Expect both cars to remain in Chevy's line until the Cruze and its next-gen Delta platform sees its full ramp-up. A sedan body-style will appear first, though we'd expect a coupe shortly thereafter to properly compete with such vehicles as the Honda Civic and Ford Focus.[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 3:21PM (7/14/2008)
I kind of doubt that a turbo 1.4 liter car will get 40 mpg on the highway. For comparison, the Honda Fit gets 34mpg highway. The Smart, which I'm assuming will be far smaller than the Chevy Cruze, has only a 1 liter engine and gets 41mpg highway.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
This sounds sort of unrealistic, unless it has a hybrid or diesel powertrain.
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UH2L 3:52PM (7/14/2008)
I wouldn't call it unrealistic if my 175 hp 2.0 L Saab turbo engine with automatic was rated at 30 mpg highway (old EPA figures) on a 3,200 lb 9-3. I consistently saw 33-34 mpg, (calculated).
Turbos help get max torque at low rpms as opposed to the Honda philosophy of revving high to get any appreciable torque, (except on Acuras for which they do use turbos, but those are thirsty). With turbos, you don't have to rev as high to maintain highway speed, and don't have to downshift as much, (on the EPA test and in the real world). That saves fuel.
With a smaller displacement, smaller turbo, lighter car, GM engineers should have no problem hitting this figure. I'm looking forward to it.
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DJL 3:59PM (7/14/2008)
Give it HCCI and the BAS+ hybrid. Then we'll see some impressive fuel economy numbers.
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stevefazek 7:03PM (7/14/2008)
Yeah saab turbos get great MPG. The smart gets poor MPG because its geared poorly for highway speed.
When you make a car you need to match the transmission to the engine power and size. With many world cars they don't bother to do this or other parts bin cars.
If they keep it under 2800lbs and have 100-120 HP i can see it getting 40 Highway.
You know if we reduce the weight of cars through newer technology you wouldn't need 150 HP from a compact car.
Every 10lbs you shave off a car you can remove 1HP and still have the same performance.
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john metcalf 9:11AM (7/16/2008)
Add a wagon and I'll give it a look.
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James4 11:00PM (7/18/2008)
Please- oh please... make it a FLEXFUEL car.
THIS is what E85 would go perfect with. 1.4 liters, turbo charged, and less expensive than gasoline.
I want my E85 in THIS!
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BillySharps 9:54AM (8/02/2008)
I would rather have no ethanol in my gasoline. E0, or G100, if you please. It will get better fuel economy with straight gasoline. Ethanol is stupid. Especially when it's made from corn.
Pavy 12:11PM (7/24/2008)
Cannot run E85 through a turbocharger or a supercharger.
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Scott 9:01PM (7/27/2008)
^^Do your reseach before you say something totally untrue and stupid. E85 is perfect for boosted apps and used extensively throughout the turbo community.
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