The Chevy Cruze diesel engine is a rare example of endeavor to adopt European values in the U.S. automotive industry. Despite its American label, it has a European origin.
In short, Chevrolet’s turbodiesel four-cylinder is made by General Motors. However, the actual developer is Italian automaker Fiat. Sounds complicated? Let’s find out, what is going on.
Prehistory
At some point, over a decade ago, General Motors and Fiat attempted to merge. The merger failed, but the effort left some agreements, including a partnership that still exists within the facility in Turin, Italy. This shadowy partnership continues to manufacture a number of engines, including the aforementioned Chevy Cruze diesel engine. Its architecture is known as the JTD-series in Fiat while GM’s engineers and managers call it “Family B” or “Fam B”.
Prior to use in Chevy Cruze, “Fam B” has passed the test in Opel Astras and various other GM vehicles around the world at a rate of 400,000 annually.
Why Fiat instead of Daewoo (GM Korea)?
The answer lies in regulatory matters. Fiat’s current engines already meet Tier II BIN 5 emissions standards, because they were designed to meet equally tough Euro 6 standards, which went into effect in Europe in September 2014. It was the best choice to start from and easiest to adapt to the U.S. market requirements including altitude calibration, diagnostics, and emissions rules, which nonetheless require more tweaks, such as higher levels of exhaust-gas recirculation, and different exhaust after-treatment hardware.
Some Technical Details
GM’s engineers opted for a system essentially downsized from the Duramax pickup diesel engines, using a particulate filter plus urea injection to trim oxides of nitrogen. The engine’s foundation is the Euro-standard iron-block, aluminum-head four-cylinder with a steel crankshaft and aluminum pistons with a compression ratio of 16.5:1.
The only available transmission is a six-speed automatic.
Assembly in Germany
Currently, the Chevy Cruze diesel engine is assembled at the Opel factory in Kaiserslautern, Germany – it’s a large town, located 80 miles southwest of Frankfurt. As you probably know, Opel is one of the oldest subsidiaries of General Motors, i.e. the production capacity belongs to the latter.
New Generation of Chevy Cruze Diesel Engine
According to GM’s official site, Chevrolet will add a new clean diesel engine to the lineup in 2017, featuring a B20-capable 1.6L diesel already proven in Europe and other global markets.
“The current Cruze diesel has garnered a loyal following among customers seeking strong, clean and efficient diesel,” said Dan Nicholson, vice president of GM Global Powertrain. “The next Cruze diesel will take those attributes to the next level with the very latest technology, offering what we expect will be the premier small-car diesel package in North America. It affirms GM’s commitment to offer diesel engines as an alternative propulsion choice for cars in North America and specifically targets the German dominance in the segment.”
More information about the next Cruze diesel will be available closer to the start of production.