The all-new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco does not benefit from a gas-electric hybrid powertrain, yet General Motors is proud to announce that it achieves a remarkable 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres on the highway. Meanwhile, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Prius are rated at 5.4 and 4.0 L/100 km, respectively.
Is the much-maligned internal combustion engine on its way to gaining back respect from consumers thanks to GM?
A smart strategy
This low fuel consumption number, which is specific to the Cruze Eco with manual transmission on the highway (although tested indoors), has many people drooling. It's a solid argument for GM to reclaim the top spot in the small, fuel-efficient car segment which Ford grabbed a hold of with their new Fiesta.
In order to make the regular Cruze burn 15 percent less gas, GM engineers revised the gear ratios of the six-speed manual transmission (now with a triple overdrive Eco gearset) while improving aerodynamics and reducing the weight.
Similar work had been done in the past with the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy), another thrifty compact that was sold in Canada for the 2009 and 2010 model years. This time around, they pushed the envelope even further.
When the tiny details count
Dropping the Cruze's drag coefficient to just 0.298 (-10 percent) meant tweaking the design in a number of seemingly trivial yet undeniably effective ways.
For instance, the Cruze Eco features a class-exclusive automatic air shutter system behind the front grille. At low speeds, it cools the engine by letting air flow through the grille. At highway speeds, the shutters close, improving aerodynamics and further enhancing fuel efficiency.
Engineers also used lower front air dam extensions, a rear spoiler and underbody panels that smooth the airflow beneath the car. They lowered the ride height, too.
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| The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco is new champion of fuel economy among non-hybrids! (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
Is the much-maligned internal combustion engine on its way to gaining back respect from consumers thanks to GM?
A smart strategy
This low fuel consumption number, which is specific to the Cruze Eco with manual transmission on the highway (although tested indoors), has many people drooling. It's a solid argument for GM to reclaim the top spot in the small, fuel-efficient car segment which Ford grabbed a hold of with their new Fiesta.
In order to make the regular Cruze burn 15 percent less gas, GM engineers revised the gear ratios of the six-speed manual transmission (now with a triple overdrive Eco gearset) while improving aerodynamics and reducing the weight.
Similar work had been done in the past with the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (Xtra Fuel Economy), another thrifty compact that was sold in Canada for the 2009 and 2010 model years. This time around, they pushed the envelope even further.
When the tiny details count
Dropping the Cruze's drag coefficient to just 0.298 (-10 percent) meant tweaking the design in a number of seemingly trivial yet undeniably effective ways.
For instance, the Cruze Eco features a class-exclusive automatic air shutter system behind the front grille. At low speeds, it cools the engine by letting air flow through the grille. At highway speeds, the shutters close, improving aerodynamics and further enhancing fuel efficiency.
Engineers also used lower front air dam extensions, a rear spoiler and underbody panels that smooth the airflow beneath the car. They lowered the ride height, too.
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| The dashboard is identical to every other Cruze's. Styling and build quality are impressive. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |