LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us.../0826_cruzeeco

DETROIT – Behind the wheel of an unmodified Chevrolet Cruze Eco an Australian couple set a fuel-efficiency record for the 48 contiguous states. During the 23-day, 9,552 mile trip sponsored by Shell Oil, John and Helen Taylor averaged a remarkable 64.42 miles per gallon.

That is 50 percent better than the EPA estimate of 42 miles per gallon highway for a Cruze Eco manual, already the most fuel-efficient, gasoline-powered car in the United States, excluding hybrids and diesels. To achieve its segment-leading fuel economy, Cruze’s engineers focused on aerodynamic performance, mass optimization and powertrain enhancements

For example, the Cruze Eco was the first in the compact-car segment to offer an active air shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag and opens at lower speeds to optimize engine-cooling airflow. Engineers also made more than 42 changes to reduce weight on the Cruze Eco, such as light-weight 17-inch wheels and tires save 21.2 pounds (9.6 kg) per vehicle.

The Cruze Eco features a standard Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine that delivers the fuel efficiency of a smaller engine, as well as the power of a larger engine when needed. The Ecotec 1.4L turbo delivers 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque – a specific trait of turbocharged engines – helps the engine deliver a better driving experience and performance.

With the standard six-speed manual, the Cruze Eco delivers an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city, and 42 mpg highway. With the available six-speed automatic, the 2012 Cruze Eco delivers an EPA-estimated 26 mpg city, and 39 mpg highway.

BanditTA

iTrader: (3)

That's pretty badass

Jon5212

iTrader: (2)

So... the EPA rates it at 42... they get 64 MPG... interesting. I wonder what the diesel model will get with a 6 speed manual

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

Holy crap that's nuts!! I'm with Jon, I too would love to see what the diesel w/ 6spd could do!! I'll be they easily crack 75mpg if this sucker got nearly 65mpg

whytryz28

iTrader: (28)

Even more of a reason for me to get one now. I think they look pretty snazzy.

1994Z28Lt1

iTrader: (1)

i'd like to know there average speed? I remember when the new v6 came out in the mustang they drove it around an oval track at like 42 mph and averaged like 50 mpg, not really realistic driving conditions.

but it is quite impressive none-the-less, its good to see some more positive buzz on gm's compacts cars

CaptainDirtymax

well if they're driving it cross country then (i assume they took interstate's), about the slowest they could go legally would be like 40-45mph. but then you become quite a traffic hazard.

DoggyB22

iTrader: (2)

& people say American cars don't get good fuel economy psshhh

justin455

The mustang "test" was held by ford officials IIRC and was continuous driving at one speed with maybe one stop at the end and one go at the beginning.
I doubt a couple, from Australia, would come to America just to give GM good press (let alone the fact that a similar situation as the ford test wouldn't even be possible on public roads). I'm sure there were stops for gas, food, site-seeing, etc. all while going on and off interstate ramps and over naturally undulating terrain. I guarantee they were hyper-milling like *****, but still very impressive! With the 42mpg rating, I would expect about 50mpg with an extreme hyper-milling interstate road trip...64 is insane!

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Irunelevens

Average of 64mpg... that would mean they are EASILY getting 70mpg+ on the freeway. You guys don't see anything fishy about that? That is 30mpg+ more than the regular Cruze gets on the freeway. Do you really believe the changes they made to the ECO are worth that much?

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

i find it unlikely that it REALLY got 64mpg. But then again most people never believe me when i said i get 31-33mpg highway with the Vette as it sits with mods in my sig. I usually got called a flat out liar which, unless they were with me, i couldn't really prove one way or the other. In the end i laugh because that's what i truely get on the highway with mid-high 20's average. Hell my 3 day South Dakota trip(1500 miles) and many times i was WELL over the posted limit and running the car hard in the black hills and badlands i averaged 24.5 mpg for the whole trip. I was getting 33 mpg consistantly on the highway. Hell i had the biggest engine and 2nd highest HP of all the cars in the group and got BY FAR the best mileage of the group (M3, NSX, Audi A4 wagon, 350Z, Evo X)

Latch

iTrader: (8)

Needs moar diesel.

UCABlackChevy

iTrader: (10)

What the article didn't tell you was that that was the Cruze going 45 mph on the interstate that you were flipping off the other day.

CaptainDirtymax

when were you in SD??? i think i might have seen you driving through Sioux Falls.

Spoolin

iTrader: (8)

I think it's cool but something isn't adding up. More info on how it was done would be helpful.

Here's the drivers' site...these guys hold 88 world records for driving!!

http://www.shell.us/home/content/usa...iving/taylors/

5w20

iTrader: (21)

bunch of people are going to end up disappointed

justin455

I don't see how an instant reading of 70mpg of just the freeway stretches is fishy. I can take an instant reading in my DD doing 65mph and show between 48-52mpg....and that's a 3500lbs sedan with 3.5l, pushrods, ancient A4, and not active aero treatments that the cruze gets.

Maybe a bunch of ignorant people, but if you know enough about cars, like most of us on this site, you'll see this test and realize that you won't be getting 20mpg more than what the cruze is rated. Instead you should be relieved that the already impressive mpg rating is actually attainable pretty easily.

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

How about this engine/trans combo in the Sonic? I'm sure that would net slightly better results.

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

This was in May. I came thru Souix Falls on the way home on May 15th or something like that.