Cruze Eco Reaches For 42 MPG
Just when you thought that Ford was winning the compact-sedan mileage war, the Cruze ECO 1.4L Turbo manual-transmission model has claimed a 42/28 rating for highway and city mileage. How’d they do it?
It looks like the high-mileage Chevy has a full aero package (air dam, rear spoiler, and a flattened underbody) as well as that old NASCAR trick, lower-than-normal ride height. “Weight reductions” are claimed. Prius-style low-rolling-resistance tires wrap around 17″ wheels.
Price is $18,895, but you can’t get one yet. Nor should GM get too cocky: the automatic-transmission model returns just 37 miles per gallon, well behind the PowerShift Focus and its more powerful (by 22hp) normally-aspirated 2.0 liter. When you look at the sales mix for American-brand compact sedans, it’s plain who has the better mousetrap, at least for now. And, of course, nobody’s heard a rating on the new Elantra…
More by Jack Baruth
Comments
Join the conversation
That's better than the Volt's highway mileage. Oh wait, the Volt isn't for the highway. It's a commuter car, so one can never drive enough miles to justify its 2X cost over the Cruze.
I've heard of Sonata GDIs getting this kind of highway mileage, or better.
Seriously, and this goes to all manufacturers. My 1986 Ford Sierra, with what is technically a 1970 pinto engine with a 1985 Bosch L-jetronic injection, a transmission designed in the 70's and a playful 3.93:1 rearend put in a body with a drag coefficient of 0.34 (well, probably closer to 0.31 since it had a full XR4i bodykit) could do an average 30mpg, and I managed 35 on the highway averaging 50mph. It may only have weighed around 2500 pounds, but it could easily seat 5 in comfort and all the luggage needed for our holiday. Why is evolution so slow? (edit: during spirited driving I did manage to get it down to 25 mpg )
How'd they do it? Hmmmmm. GM and the EPA have the same "owners"? Nah, couldn't have anything to do with it....