Turbo boost for Cruze?

Chevrolet has launched the Cruze in the US market at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show. And though it looks the same as Holden's version already on sale, it's what's under the bonnet that is a talking point. Unlike the naturally-aspirated 1.8-litre DOHC petrol four in the Aussie model, American's get a 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit.

With production of the local Cruze due to begin later this year in Adelaide there has been increasing speculation Holden would adopt the turbo petrol engine to replace the lacklustre 1.8.  The change could help remove one of the biggest criticisms of the current range; the average performance of the petrol powerplant.

The current 1.8-litre engine produces 104kW and 176Nm but the American 1.4-litre turbo makes 103kW and 200Nm. And in addition to the extra torque the forced-induction engine also offers better fuel consumption with Chevrolet claiming 5.8L/100km.

Adopting the 1.4 turbo for the Cruze would put it ahead of the similar equipped Golf 90TSI which currently produces 90kW and 200Nm with combined fuel consumption figure of 6.4L/100km.

Holden, as usual, is playing its card close to its chest, admitting nothing ahead of the local production of the Cruze late in 2010.

"It certainly looks like an exciting opportunity but we haven't made our announcement public," Kate Lonsdale, Product Communications Manager told the Carsales Network.

Pushed if the poor reviews of the current 1.8-litre engine had added to the case for adopting the 1.4-litre turbo, Lonsdale played a straight bat.

"We think we've got a great product offering. We just want to make sure what we produce locally continues that," she said.

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