Diesel cars make up a pretty small percentage of the American fleet. Until now, fans of these fuel-efficient engines have had their choices limited to a handful of German makes. The only non-luxury brand offering one in the U.S. has been Volkswagen and they have had good success, with nearly 20% of their sales of some models represented by the TDI. Unlike Diesels in heavy-duty trucks and commercial vehicles more familiar to American drivers, European car aficionados have benefited from a great deal of technology like direct common-rail fuel injection, urea injection (for reduced emissions), and improved electronic engine management systems. These have made modern Diesels quieter, smoother, cleaner and even more fuel efficient than ever.
General Motors has been selling Diesels for decades for their European subsidiaries Opel and Vauxhall. Now, with the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, they are making this engine available here… the first passenger car Diesel option offered by the company since the mid 1980s.