More Chevy Cruze Diesel Details Emerge

Today we confirmed with GM Powertrain spokesman Tom Read that the diesel engine will have a 2.0-liter displacement and be turbocharged. In Europe, the Cruze already has a turbocharged 2.0-liter VCDi diesel inline-four that makes 161 horsepower and 266 pounds-feet of torque. This could very well be the engine that ends up in the U.S. model, but with some modifications.

The U.S. version of the motor is currently undergoing rigorous testing in Michigan, Italy and Germany, GM said in a press release. The automaker wants to make sure the engine can operate under a wide range of conditions — including extreme temperatures between minus 40 degrees and 158 degrees. The engine will have direct injection and a particulate-capturing filtration system to reduce emissions, GM says.

The carmaker says the motor will offer outstanding fuel efficiency, torque figures and a quiet ride. GM hasn’t publicly commented on whether the diesel will eke out better fuel-efficiency figures than the Cruze Eco, which gets 42 mpg on the highway.