Source: GMInsideNews
By: Nick Saporito
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 in 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.
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.
