Chevrolet will pitch its 2011 Cruze Eco variant as a gasoline-powered car that delivers hybrid-like fuel economy without a hybrid's hefty price tag. General Motors Co. estimates the Cruze Eco's highway fuel economy at 40 mpg. EPA ratings for the Eco and the standard Cruze compact are not yet available. The Eco will be more expensive than the base Cruze, but the premium will be nowhere near as high as the cost of hybrid technology.
By contrast, the Ford Fusion Hybrid has a base price of $27,995 including shipping, a bump of $8,000 over the base Fusion. Hybrid models often have more standard equipment than base models. GM put some pricey equipment on the Eco to reduce weight. For instance, the Eco has 17-inch forged aluminum wheels, a feature usually found on sporty models. GM felt strongly that they needed to be on this vehicle, because the forged aluminum wheels save over 10 kilograms.
The version of the Cruze Eco shown at the New York show had a six-speed manual transmission teamed with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with variable valve timing. An automatic transmission also will be offered.
The Cruze will go on sale in the third quarter, and the Eco will follow later in the year. The base Cruze will be priced competitively with compact leaders Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco will go on sale near the end of the year.
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