The 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel uses a turbocharging feature called “overboost” which shortly lifts torque for better acceleration. The turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivers 151 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque (358 Nm), but overboost can increase peak torque to 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) for about 10 seconds of stronger acceleration. GM compares it with the equivalent torque delivered by the 1972 Camaro Z28’s heavier 5.7-liter V8.
However, unlike the muscle car, the Cruze Diesel averages just 46 mpg (5.1 l/100 km) highway and has a driving range of 717 miles (1,154 km) on one tank of fuel.
“Overboost provides increased performance when the driver demands it, like when passing on the highway. When the driver leans on the throttle, the turbocharger increases the air and fuel intake over and above what the engine needs for normal torque demand,” said Mike Siegrist, GM 2.0L diesel assistant chief engineer.
The Cruze Diesel can sprint from 0 to 60 mph (96 mph) in about 8.6 seconds – half a second faster than its chief competitor, the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI.
“Cruze’s turbo-diesel engine is powerful, efficient and clean. It will change perceptions of what a diesel car can be while giving customers another fuel-efficient choice in the Chevrolet lineup,” Siegrist added.
According to a forecast from LMC Automotive, turbo-charged passenger vehicle production in North America is expected to double by 2018, from 14 percent in 2013 to 29 percent, mainly due to increased diesel production, as well as four-cylinder turbo gas engines replacing V6 engines.
By Dan Mihalascu
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