Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway

Perian · 10-29-2009, 08:41 AM

Link: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/...ala/index.html

GM Aims for 44-mpg Chevy Cruze: Special Model will be Gas Miser

Fuel efficiency has been slipping on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze even before its North American debut. A couple years ago, then-General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced the car would achieve 42 mpg highway with a manual transmission. Since then, GM officials have toned that down just slightly, to "about 40 mpg" on the EPA highway loop. Whatever the actual mileage, the Cruze will achieve it with a 1.4-liter turbo four. But that new engine will be an option over the base 1.8-liter normally aspirated four that powers the European-market Cruze already on sale.

Enter the Special Project, GM's high-fuel-mileage version of the Cruze, fashioned after Chevy's Cobalt XFE and Silverado XFE. Engineers reassigned from GM's Performance Division are tweaking the 1.4-liter turbo and the Cruze's six-speed automatic with the goal of achieving 44 mpg in EPA highway-mileage estimates. A Cruze XFE would better take advantage of the Volt's halo and would put some extra distance between itself and the 2010 Malibu, which is rated 33 mpg highway (22 mpg city) with the base 2.4-liter Ecotec four and six-speed automatic.

civilzues · 10-29-2009, 08:46 AM

So the 1.4T gets around 40mpg? hmm.. Hopefully it achieves 40mpg

hrcslam · 10-29-2009, 09:46 AM

The 1.4T in the Astra is getting a 40mpg (U.S Gallon) COMBINED rating on the British cycle. How does that translate to the EPA cycle?

FenwickHockey65 · 10-29-2009, 09:48 AM

Weren't they aiming for 45 MPG a few months back?

ARCANGEL · 10-29-2009, 10:25 AM

GM should work on getting the cruze here then worry about XFE

FenwickHockey65 · 10-29-2009, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

GM should work on getting the cruze here then worry about XFE

Or they should work on getting the Cruze here with maximum fuel economy so people don't have a reason to wait for the XFE model.

calgaryhhr · 10-29-2009, 11:03 AM

I would like to see some more impressive city fuel economy numbers. Sure 33mpg highway sounds good for the Malibu or 45 mpg highway for the Cruze. But 22mpg city for the Malibu really stinks.

I know that many people typically drive more on highways and interstates so for those people highway fuel economy is what really matters. For me, my driving is 95% city with speeds under 30 miles/hour. GM doesn't offer any vehicle with great city fuel economy because they don't offer any electric hybrids in small or mid size vehicles.

fp115 · 10-29-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

GM should work on getting the cruze here then worry about XFE

Even if there is a delay, why should they stop working on other variants?

63GrandSport001 · 10-29-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calgaryhhr

I would like to see some more impressive city fuel economy numbers. Sure 33mpg highway sounds good for the Malibu or 45 mpg highway for the Cruze. But 22mpg city for the Malibu really stinks.

I know that many people typically drive more on highways and interstates so for those people highway fuel economy is what really matters. For me, my driving is 95% city with speeds under 30 miles/hour. GM doesn't offer any vehicle with great city fuel economy because they don't offer any electric hybrids in small or mid size vehicles.

How does 22MPG city for the Malibu stink when the Honda Accord is rated at 22MPG city and the 2010 Camry has a 22MPG city rating and the THe Ford Fusion gets 22MPG city...... some wouldn't say it really stinks but instead they would say its on par. (Ford claims 23-34 for the S model with the automatic but I can't find that claim anywhere else but on Fords website).

john1701a · 10-29-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

How does 22MPG city for the Malibu stink when the Honda Accord is rated at 22MPG city and the 2010 Camry has a 22MPG city rating and the THe Ford Fusion gets 22MPG city...... some wouldn't say it really stinks but instead they would say its on par.

F = Stinks

C = Par

B = 35 MPG

A = 40 MPG + SULEV

What technology is used really doesn't matter, as long as it is affordable and meets minimum criteria.
.

calgaryhhr · 10-29-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63GrandSport001

How does 22MPG city for the Malibu stink when the Honda Accord is rated at 22MPG city and the 2010 Camry has a 22MPG city rating and the THe Ford Fusion gets 22MPG city...... some wouldn't say it really stinks but instead they would say its on par. (Ford claims 23-34 for the S model with the automatic but I can't find that claim anywhere else but on Fords website).

Yes, I agree that those numbers are all fairly close and hence the Malibu city fuel economy is on par with the competition.

What I mean is that 22 mpg (for that class of vehicles) is poor fuel economy. When you compare 22 mpg to 41 mpg city for a Fusion hybrid or 34 mpg city for an Escape Hybrid or 33 city for a Camry Hybrid or 30 mpg city for a Jetta/Golf TDI Wagon those numbers are piss poor. I'd like to see a Malibu (or some sort of GM product) offer between 30 and 35 mpg city.

dindak · 10-29-2009, 02:14 PM

I would be happy if they just got out a 2.2L VVT Cruze right now!

DoomsDave · 10-29-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Or they should work on getting the Cruze here with maximum fuel economy so people don't have a reason to wait for the XFE model.

XFE will probably be a launch model, along with the base and upscale models. That way, GM can advertise Cruze on day 1 with the 40+ mpg of the XFE model.

Wouldn't be surprised if the delay is for tuning of the XFE model for max highway mpg. 4 months for tuning and verification by the EPA for the XFE sounds about right...

jaydee · 10-29-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARCANGEL

GM should work on getting the cruze here then worry about XFE

What makes you think the development of an XFE version is preventing the Cruze from coming to market sooner?

mgescuro · 10-29-2009, 04:28 PM

So? When is it coming out? 2013???

10-29-2009, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,627	Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway Link: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_news/...ala/index.html GM Aims for 44-mpg Chevy Cruze: Special Model will be Gas Miser Fuel efficiency has been slipping on the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze even before its North American debut. A couple years ago, then-General Motors chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner announced the car would achieve 42 mpg highway with a manual transmission. Since then, GM officials have toned that down just slightly, to "about 40 mpg" on the EPA highway loop. Whatever the actual mileage, the Cruze will achieve it with a 1.4-liter turbo four. But that new engine will be an option over the base 1.8-liter normally aspirated four that powers the European-market Cruze already on sale. Enter the Special Project, GM's high-fuel-mileage version of the Cruze, fashioned after Chevy's Cobalt XFE and Silverado XFE. Engineers reassigned from GM's Performance Division are tweaking the 1.4-liter turbo and the Cruze's six-speed automatic with the goal of achieving 44 mpg in EPA highway-mileage estimates. A Cruze XFE would better take advantage of the Volt's halo and would put some extra distance between itself and the 2010 Malibu, which is rated 33 mpg highway (22 mpg city) with the base 2.4-liter Ecotec four and six-speed automatic.

10-29-2009, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
civilzues 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,832	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway So the 1.4T gets around 40mpg? hmm.. Hopefully it achieves 40mpg Last edited by civilzues : 10-29-2009 at 08:52 AM.

10-29-2009, 09:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
hrcslam 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: May 2007 Location: Colorado Sprins, CO Drives: 2001 Chevy Suburban Rollin on 22's Posts: 1,326	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway The 1.4T in the Astra is getting a 40mpg (U.S Gallon) COMBINED rating on the British cycle. How does that translate to the EPA cycle? __________________ "That's the new GM, may it long live" -Washington Times. Only an American Car can have 500+hp, go from 0-60 in under 4 secs., top out at almost 200mph, and still get 24 mpg (2008 standards). Volt=Electric Car (it is a series hybrid.............sometimes) An Electric Car Always. If you got a chance check out http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2597944 and rate my ride plz. 2001 Chevy Suburban (The one in the Avatar) 2006 Saturn Ion (wifes car)

10-29-2009, 09:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 News Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 9,278	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway Weren't they aiming for 45 MPG a few months back? __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2LT RS: 3.6L SIDI High-Feature V6

10-29-2009, 10:25 AM	#5 (permalink)
ARCANGEL 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manalapan N.J. Posts: 2,826	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway GM should work on getting the cruze here then worry about XFE __________________ I would rather walk with God in the dark than go alone in the light.

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10-29-2009, 11:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
calgaryhhr 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary Drives: 2006 Chevy HHR 2008 VW Golf Posts: 1,357	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway I would like to see some more impressive city fuel economy numbers. Sure 33mpg highway sounds good for the Malibu or 45 mpg highway for the Cruze. But 22mpg city for the Malibu really stinks. I know that many people typically drive more on highways and interstates so for those people highway fuel economy is what really matters. For me, my driving is 95% city with speeds under 30 miles/hour. GM doesn't offer any vehicle with great city fuel economy because they don't offer any electric hybrids in small or mid size vehicles.

10-29-2009, 02:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
dindak 6.2 Liter LS3 V8 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Toronto area Drives: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LT2 V6 / 2008 Montana SV6 Posts: 3,255	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway I would be happy if they just got out a 2.2L VVT Cruze right now!

10-29-2009, 04:28 PM	#15 (permalink)
mgescuro R2-D2 Astromech Droid Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 28,186	Re: Report: GM Working On Cruze XFE? Target Is 44mpg Highway So? When is it coming out? 2013??? __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... GMReinvention.com Cadillac: The Art of Irrelevancy *SAN FRANCISCO 2020!!*

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