2011 Chevrolet Cruze ECO Achieves Segment-Leading 42 MPG Highway

[FenwickHockey65]

New Chevrolet Cruze Eco Achieves Segment-Leading 42 MPG On The Highway
Hybrid-Like Fuel Economy Starts at $18,895; Goes on Sale in January
Link to Press Release
Link to Article at GMInsideNews

November 11, 2010

DETROIT – The official fuel economy numbers for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco are in and they’re good. Segment-leading good. It delivers an EPA-estimated 42 mpg on the highway (manual transmission models), with equally impressive city fuel economy of 28 mpg.

Cruze Eco’s highway fuel economy beats non-hybrid segment competitors – including 23 percent greater highway fuel economy than the Honda Civic – as well as the Ford Fiesta subcompact and many hybrid models. In fact, it’s better than Ford Fusion Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

“Chevrolet Cruze continues to redefine the compact segment, offering class-leading standard safety features, upscale amenities – as well as hybrid-like fuel economy without the price,” said Chuck Russell, vehicle line director. “The Cruze Eco is in a league of its own and will challenge perceptions of the efficiency available in a more affordable non-hybrid.”

The Cruze Eco carries an MSRP of $18,895 (including destination charge). It goes on sale in January.

To achieve its segment-leading fuel economy, Cruze’s engineers focused on aerodynamic performance, mass optimization and powertrain enhancements. The refinements in each area paid big dividends towards the car’s overall efficiency, while providing engineers with valuable information to help enhance the efficiency of future Chevrolet models.

“We left no stone unturned or piece of sheet metal un-weighed,” said Russell. “Our engineers were comprehensive and thorough when it came to evaluating and modifying the aspects of the car’s performance that contribute to fuel economy.”

Aero enhancements

Aerodynamic improvements over non-Eco manual-transmission models contributed approximately six mpg to the Cruze’s EPA-estimated 42 mpg highway fuel economy. Many were developed and refined in more than 500 hours of wind-tunnel testing of the Chevy Volt, which shares a core architecture with the Cruze. Examples include the upper grille, which has more “closeouts” to improve aerodynamics, a lower front air dam extension, a rear spoiler, a lowered ride height and underbody panels that smooth airflow beneath the car.

The Eco model also features an all-new technology in the compact segment: a lower front grille air shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. Another contributor to reduced drag is the use of ultra-low rolling resistance 17-inch Goodyear tires (used with lightweight wheels), which are also used on the Volt.

As a result of the aero enhancements, aerodynamic drag was reduced by 10 percent over a non-Eco model, with a coefficient of drag of 0.298. That places Cruze at the top of the class for mainstream compact cars.

Mass optimization

More than 42 changes were made on the Eco to reduce weight. It weighs in at 3,009 pounds (1,365 kg), compared to the 3,223 pounds (1,462 kg) of the Cruze 1LT. The diet program for the Cruze challenged engineers to look at all aspects of the vehicle’s construction, including hundreds of weld flanges on the vehicle. They were reduced 1 mm to 2 mm in length, which saved several pounds, while the sheet metal gauge thickness was reduced by about 0.1 mm in select components. This saved weight while preserving structural integrity.

Lighter wheels and tires are used on the Eco. They’re stylish, polished 17-inch alloy units with Goodyear tires that weigh only 36.5 pounds (16.6 kg) apiece. That’s 5.3 pounds (2.4 kg) less than the 16-inch wheel/tires of the Cruze 1LT for a complete savings to the vehicle of 21.2 pounds (9.6 kg).

Efficient powertrain

Cruze Eco is powered by power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine and a standard six-speed manual transmission. The transmission’s gearing is optimized for the model’s specific 17-inch wheel/tire combination and includes aggressive ratios for first and second gear coupled with a highly efficient, “taller” sixth-gear ratio for highway driving. That means engine rpm is reduced on the highway, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. A six-speed automatic transmission is available, with EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 26 city and 37 highway.

The Ecotec 1.4L turbo’s power ratings are 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance. The turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility.

The engine also features premium design elements that give it world-class smoothness and durability while also contributing to the Cruze Eco’s lower curb weight. They include a cast iron block with a hollow frame structure, hollow-cast camshafts and a plastic intake manifold.

[Brokinarrow]

Wow, so same exact engine as the Cruze LTs, but just improved aerodynamics. Very nice!

[Sax1031]

[Brokinarrow]

Oh and also mass reduction and powertrain optimizations... so wait.... I wonder how much lighter the eco is vs the normal Cruze? If it's a couple hundred pounds..... wouldn't that mean the ECO model would potentially be QUICKER than the normal Cruze? (gasp!) Unless they messed with the gearing or something.... hmmm....

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Oh and also mass reduction and powertrain optimizations... so wait.... I wonder how much lighter the eco is vs the normal Cruze? If it's a couple hundred pounds..... wouldn't that mean the ECO model would potentially be QUICKER than the normal Cruze? (gasp!) Unless they messed with the gearing or something.... hmmm....

It's over 200 pounds lighter than a standard Cruze.

[DarthNacho08]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Oh and also mass reduction and powertrain optimizations... so wait.... I wonder how much lighter the eco is vs the normal Cruze? If it's a couple hundred pounds..... wouldn't that mean the ECO model would potentially be QUICKER than the normal Cruze? (gasp!) Unless they messed with the gearing or something.... hmmm....

I like your thinking

[DGthe3]

The Ford Focus with the ecoboost engine is supposed to get around 40 mpg highway

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Oh and also mass reduction and powertrain optimizations... so wait.... I wonder how much lighter the eco is vs the normal Cruze? If it's a couple hundred pounds..... wouldn't that mean the ECO model would potentially be QUICKER than the normal Cruze? (gasp!) Unless they messed with the gearing or something.... hmmm....

It also has low rolling resistance tires, though at the power levels of these cars that may not make a difference off the line. It would probably make a bit of a difference in handling though

[Brokinarrow]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

It's over 200 pounds lighter than a standard Cruze.

Thank you sir!

Originally Posted by DGthe3

It also has low rolling resistance tires, though at the power levels of these cars that may not make a difference off the line. It would probably make a bit of a difference in handling though

Good point, so slap on some standard street tires and you get a potentially sportier Cruze May lose a couple MPG, but I wouldn't cry over them

[Morepwr]

Pretty impressive numbers. I am seriously considering getting one as a daily driver.

[Sevn86]

We had chevy reps. at my college today showing us all the new Chevy cars like the Equinox, the Camaro, the Cruze and the Malibu. The Cruze looked awesome!

[TheCaptain]

Can i say it again?

Chevy for the win! The Cruze looks awesome! I already got my own!

[Xanthos]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Thank you sir!



Good point, so slap on some standard street tires and you get a potentially sportier Cruze May lose a couple MPG, but I wouldn't cry over them

Exactly. Put on some tires with some grip and maybe a CAI and you could get some decent acceleration out of it. A cat back would add even more, but I'd have to wait till it comes out to decide if it would give it the bees-in-a-can vibe.

Also, I don't think the gearing would change acceleration. First and second gears would made more aggressive, 3/4/5 were left alone, and sixth was lengthened. You'd never touch sixth in a car like this anyway (or 5th even, most likely) so really all it does is make first and second a bit shorter, which would be good for 0-60 times.
- X

[Mr. Wyndham]

Astounding!!!

[JJ#48Racing]

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Oh and also mass reduction and powertrain optimizations... so wait.... I wonder how much lighter the eco is vs the normal Cruze? If it's a couple hundred pounds..... wouldn't that mean the ECO model would potentially be QUICKER than the normal Cruze? (gasp!) Unless they messed with the gearing or something.... hmmm....

All your questions would have been answered if you had read the post.