Lutz: 2011 Chevrolet Cruze will be worth the wait

You would think that with all the hype about fuel-economy and compact cars, GM would bring out the Chevrolet Cruze before the end of 2010. But there is a pretty good reason why GM is waiting. According to Bob Lutz, most of the time is being spent on developing the new 1.4 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that will power the Cruze.

“We expect to get more than 40 mpg highway, better than with some hybrids,” said Lutz.

The engine is expected to produce somewhere between 150 to 170 horsepower. Lutz said that the “1.4-liter is going to be more high torque than high horsepower”

According to MotorTrend, GM the European version of the car, which goes on sale next year, will be powered by a 1.6 liter engine producing 112-hp and a 1.8 liter engine producing 140-hp. A 2.0 liter turbodiesel producing 150-hp will be added later. Of course, we don’t expect to get the diesel over on the stateside.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze:

 

Source: KickingTires and MotorTrend