Chevrolet Cruze diesel, just now on sale, is both quickest,
most fuel-efficient of the lot...
Chevrolet says not only will the Cruze diesel be the most
fuel-efficient version of the compact sedan, it's also the quickest --
something not normally associated with diesels.
It will accelerate from standstill to 60 miles per hour in
8.6 seconds, says Gary Altman, chief engineer of the car. Gasoline models take
longer, the slowest being the Cruze Eco, which burns up 10 seconds reaching 60
mph.
As a practical matter, the diesel will be quicker to
accelerate up freeway ramps into fast-moving traffic, and to pass other cars on
two-lane roads. That spares the driver the anxiety that sometimes comes with
diesels -- which are quite powerful, but can be slow to hit their stride.
The Cruze diesel went on sale this month, starting at
$25,695 including shipping. Until now, Volkswagen has had the mainstream diesel
car market to itself in the U.S. The Cruze diesel is first to challenge it.
Cruze diesel comes only with a six-speed automatic
transmission and is lower-price than the VW Jetta diesel with automatic
transmission. The VW so-equipped is $26,325.
We'll give you a full run-down on the Cruze diesel in the
next Test Drive column. Meantime, here are some thoughts from a day driving
around this area, mostly on rural two-lane roads:
•Cruze diesel benefits from the wide use of direct injection
in gasoline engines. That technology, which can boost power and mileage as well
as cut emissions, makes gas engines sound like diesels, so the Cruze diesel has
no big noise issue. Essentially, everything sounds like a diesel now.
•The diesel borrows some aerodynamic tweaks from the
gasoline Cruze Eco, such as low-rolling-resistance tires and air-diverting
shutters shutters in the grille. Now, some of those items will find their way
into regular gasoline Cruze models in addition to the Eco.
•Finding fuel should be easier than ever. The Diesel
Technology Forum says 52% of U.S. stations sell diesel. That includes truck stops.
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