As promised at the initial launch of the Chevrolet Cruze last year, General Motors has made a 2,0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant available to supplement the Cruze engine line-up, which also consists of 1,6 and 1,8-litre petrol engine.
The single overhead camshaft, 16-valve, intercooled turbo diesel – with electronic control of the turbocharger – produces 110 kW at 4 000 r/min with maximum torque of 320 N.m delivered at just 2 000 r/min. Torque is sent to the front wheel via a five-speed manual gearbox.
Significantly more powerful than the rest of the models in the range, the Cruze 2,0D LT is claimed to be quite miserly on the combined cycle, using just 5,7 litres/100km on the combined cycle, with CO2 emission of only 150 g/km.
With full LT specification as standard, the Cruze 2,0D comes with a raft of luxury features including six airbags, front-loading six-CD/MP3 sound system, leather upholstery and leather-covered steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, rear park assist, rain-sensitive windscreen wipers, front and rear electric windows, cruise control, lights auto-on function, and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/50 R17 tyres.
The Chevrolet Cruze 2,0D LT is available for R261 100 (VAT inclusive) and comes standard with a three-years/60 000 km service plan and a five-years/120 000 km warranty with roadside assistance. Service intervals are every 15 000 km.