Much has been written about Volkswagen and last year’s breakout #dieselgate. Before the emissions hit the fan, VW all but owned the diesel car market. GM had a Chevy Cruze diesel on offer, but very few noticed, fewer still actually bought one.
About 18 months ago, a question about diesel engines to GM execs would have resulted in “thanks, but no thanks.” However, times have changed. The men in suits at the General have changed their minds.
A short while ago, Chevy introduced their new 2018 Equinox and announced that it was going to be available with a diesel powertrain, a first in the segment. Volkswagen had intended to offer a TDI variant with the Tiguan, but they ran out of time, and luck.
This bit of news was on top of the fact that the redesigned-for-2016 Cruze sedan was to be on the receiving end of a new diesel mill. But now, it would seem as though the very handsome five-door hatchback version will also get the same engine some time after.
The turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder diesel will be derived from the one offered in European markets in such nameplates as the Astra. Specs have yet to be finalized, but the final horsepower number will hover around 140 while torque could reach as high as 258 pound-feet.
