General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet brand confirmed Thursday that it has started selling its first diesel passenger car in the U.S. since 1986 with its 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel -- a vehicle it expects will serve as a halo for the Cruze nameplate and bring new buyers to the automaker's largest brand. GM has sold a few Cruze diesels, which first are being sold in 13 metro markets selected for having a high diesel penetration, said Chevrolet Vice President of Marketing Chris Perry. The vehicles will be available nationally, including in Detroit, in the fall. The Detroit automaker said there is more openness to diesel technology and it expects diesel popularity to grow in the U.S. It's launching the diesel-powered Cruze to compete head-to-head with Volkswagen's Jetta diesel. Chevy said the Cruze diesel, powered by a 2-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, is certified at 151 horsepower and has peak torque of 264 foot-pounds -- slightly better than the specs on the 2013 Jetta TDI Clean Diesel Premium automatic -- and has more standard features. Read more http://www.julesburgadvocate.com/ci_23321957?source=most_viewed
