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North American Cruze to get Diesel Power
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By Nick Saporito
February 19, 2011

The Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan just launched in the North America market a few short months ago and represents Chevrolet’s first truly global vehicle. The Cruze is sold is over 60 countries worldwide and utilizes both gasoline and diesel powered engines in the global markets. In North America, however, the Cruze sports only gasoline power. According to multiple sources, at least one diesel option is coming for the North American Cruze.

GMI’s sources at the Lordstown, Ohio assembly plant that produces the Cruze state that management informed them this week that they will start building a Cruze diesel model for the 2013 model year. Management stated that production of the new engine option would begin sometime next year.

Sources familiar with GM engineering were able to confirm to GMI that the diesel option is currently slated for the 2013 Cruze. The engineering sources also confirmed that the engine is a 2.0-liter with the RPO code of ‘LUZ.’ Power output or fuel economy figures are unclear at this time, however test mules of the Cruze diesel are operating now in metro Detroit.

In Australia the Holden Cruze CDX has a 2.0-liter diesel engine. In that application the car produces approximately 147 horsepower and 235 feet-pounds of torque. Converting from the Australian fuel economy figures, the Cruze CDX is rated at 34 miles per-gallon in combined driving. It is unclear if the same 2.0-liter diesel will be in the North American Cruze, but one is compelled to assume that will be the case.

Last November GMI reviewed the Holden Cruze CDX, and walked away fairly impressed with it.

GMI has also been told that the 2012 Cruze will be getting push button start. According to the Lordstown sources keyless ignition will be option on mid-level LT models and standard on the high-end LTZ trim.