General Motors has its latest diesel car offering, the 2014 Chevy Cruze, available now in certain areas of the country.
GM, apparently aware of how awful their last diesel car entry in the US was (some 25 years ago) wants you to know something. The diesel engine for the Cruz was designed in Italy, made in Germany and installed in the USA. It even says so on the Chevrolet Cruze web site.
That's a great point. it's also good to know that according to the Top Gear website, the Chevy Cruze in diesel (and gas) form has been sold in other world markets, such as Europe and is the best selling car in China!
The diesel engine traveling on US roads does have extra baggage in the US market that it doesn't have elsewhere, namely higher emmision standards. Chevrolet addressed this by adding a urea tank that robs trunk space. The remaining emmision control mechanisms contribute to added weight and the potential for issues regarding the engine's dependability and longevity, as seen in some other diesels after increased emmision standards. This is a fact that applies to all diesels sold in the US and I only mention it to remind buyers that it was designed in Italy, built in Germany and messed with before being installed in the US. Chevrolet does at least offer a warranty that is longer than the competition.
The urea tank approach is one used by Mercedes on their diesels, Dodge, GM and Ford diesel trucks and the new VW Passat diesel, among others. This tank isn't my preference because it makes your car dependent on one more additive and it is one more tank to keep full.
I applaud Chevy for having the guts to respond to what consumers have been asking for. Subaru, as much as I love their cars didn't have the guts or the brains to follow what many message boards and consumers have been asking for several years. I think that Chevy will gain new car buyers that it would not have gained any other way, starting with the diesel enthusiast.
GM, apparently aware of how awful their last diesel car entry in the US was (some 25 years ago) wants you to know something. The diesel engine for the Cruz was designed in Italy, made in Germany and installed in the USA. It even says so on the Chevrolet Cruze web site.
That's a great point. it's also good to know that according to the Top Gear website, the Chevy Cruze in diesel (and gas) form has been sold in other world markets, such as Europe and is the best selling car in China!
The diesel engine traveling on US roads does have extra baggage in the US market that it doesn't have elsewhere, namely higher emmision standards. Chevrolet addressed this by adding a urea tank that robs trunk space. The remaining emmision control mechanisms contribute to added weight and the potential for issues regarding the engine's dependability and longevity, as seen in some other diesels after increased emmision standards. This is a fact that applies to all diesels sold in the US and I only mention it to remind buyers that it was designed in Italy, built in Germany and messed with before being installed in the US. Chevrolet does at least offer a warranty that is longer than the competition.
The urea tank approach is one used by Mercedes on their diesels, Dodge, GM and Ford diesel trucks and the new VW Passat diesel, among others. This tank isn't my preference because it makes your car dependent on one more additive and it is one more tank to keep full.
I applaud Chevy for having the guts to respond to what consumers have been asking for. Subaru, as much as I love their cars didn't have the guts or the brains to follow what many message boards and consumers have been asking for several years. I think that Chevy will gain new car buyers that it would not have gained any other way, starting with the diesel enthusiast.
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