Chevrolet Cruze Eco unveiled ahead of New York Motor Show

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By Matt Brogan | March 29th, 2010

Chevrolet has unveiled its upcoming Cruze Eco model ahead of its official launch later this week at the New York Motor Show.

The Chevrolet Cruze Eco is powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 103kW of power and 200Nm of torque. Chevrolet estimates the Cruze Eco is capable of delivering a combined fuel economy figure of just 5.8L/100km when mated to its six-speed manual transmission (a six-speed automatic variant will also be available). Official fuel consumption figures have not yet been announced.

In making the Cruze more environmentally friendly, Chevrolet have optimised the front axle ratio, added Goodyear low rolling resistance tyres and fitted special, lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels. The Cruze Eco also features a lowered ride height to reduce underbody air turbulence at highway speeds. A revised front grille featuring an electric “air shutter” joins a modified front air damn and new rear spoiler to aid aerodynamic efficiency.

Despite the Cruze Eco’s environmental aspirations, Chevrolet say the car is still capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 9 seconds.

This afternoon, CarAdvice spoke with Emily Perry, GM Holden’s Director of External Communications, about the possibility of the Cruze Eco being sold in Australia.

“We don’t have anything to announce regarding future powertrains for Cruze yet,” said Ms Perry.

The Cruze is currently sold in Australia in both petrol- and diesel-powered variants offering 104kW/176Nm and 110kW/320Nm outputs respectively.

CarAdvice will keep you posted on any further developments as they come to hand.

Golfschwein

Holden, don’t delay. Get it here asap.

zahmad

Amen to that!

ABMPSV

Good one Chevrolet. This is a only american car which is doing well here and in Europe. 1.4L turbo is a nice engine similiar to VW. 103kW and 200Nm at 1850 with city fuel economy of 7.8L/100km. Car is good size too. Well done!!
Bezza

Meh

Try the Peugeot 308 XS HDi (diesel) 1.6 EGC 6-Speed Auto/Tiptronic/Paddleshift w. 240 Nm Torque and 4.7 l/100 combined (5.9 city)

Looks like the right direction tho so good on em. And I’m sure it will be cheaper than a Pug or VW.
Hung Low

Perhaps now they can ditch that gutless ecotech boat anchor!
This is the engine that should have been in since its release!
Tom22

Its hard to call it an ‘eco’, what it is doing is just swapping the anemic 1.8L engine for a far superior turbocharged 1.4. I suspect this engine will become the main power source for the cruze when it is built in australia, and to be honest, this is exactly what it needs.

I also cant help but think a 2.0L Turbo motor could be just as efficient.

ABMPSV

The 2 liter turbo is not that bad either. VW got 1.4 and 2.0 turbo and the 1.4 is 118kW 240Nm city fuel economy is 7.5L/100km. The 2 liter turbo is 155kW 280Nm and city fuel economy is 10L/100km. Both cars with DSG. Chevrolet could be nearly the same?!

Byron

Will be a very good addition to the Holden Cruze Go HOLDEN!
Baddass

Lovely wheels. The car seems to have a different, stronger stance with these wheels.

Goodfa

I think the stance looks stronger because it is lowered more so than the wheels.
The 1.4T is needed in the Cruze NOW as the 1.8 is a slug.

filippo

5.8L/100km? Ok then, based on the difference between claimed and real world figures for the other Cruze models, i’d say this car would be lucky to ever get under 10L/100km. Eco indeed…
Shak

The quicker Holden can market this thing the better. The thing with holden is they can take a block of ice and tell you its a diamond and you’ll believe them. They have the best marketing department in the country. And when they get good cars like this even better.
vti07

Hopefully, this will force other mainstream manufacturers to offer similar engines. Normally aspirated petrol engines around the 1.8 – 2.0 mark don\’t have much torque (if any) at the lower end of the rev range (especially with auto).

I can also see p platers increasing the boost of the turbo to get more power…. Then it won’t be eco.

ABMPSV

As you know VW started this trend Opel continued and now Chevrolet. Yes I agree normally aspirated 1.8 or 2.0 engines do not have a good Nm at low revs.