Is Flint Engine South even fully retooled for the 1.4 turbo yet? GM official word (yeah, yeah, I know) on the delay was that in addition to "ensuring quality" they wanted "all variations of the Cruze ready at launch." If there aren't going to be 1.4 units available in April, that could be part of the problem. I'm sure they want to be able to advertise the highest mileage powertrain out of the gate. 2010 Cruze! Disappointing 1.8 available now! Good engine, coming soon!

Anyone know if there are any (solid) plans for an SS or a coupe? I know the 1.4 is a turbo, but it will hardly be a "performance" engine with 140 horses. I'm sure that performace will be adequate, but certainly no LNF. But LNF won't fit, right?

 

A 40mpg engine is very important to have a launch.

 

They did the same thing to the silverado...

Hey, come buy a brand spanking new truck with the same old 4L60e, we have the 6L60e, but we just can't make enough of them for the trucks... sorry, you'll have to wait a full 2 years...

At least they smacked the Camaro launch out of the park!

 

That would make sense. I was thinking that perhaps they wanted to make sure Volt is out first, and then bring in Cruze later when stealers... er I mean dealers start marking up the Volt and they begin sitting on lots. Cruze would half the price of the Volt, but I'll bet they sell 10 for every Volt they sell.

 

XFE goal is 44mpg. Goal for standard version is 40mpg.

jg, I think they will sell much more than 10 Cruze's (Cruzez?) for every 1 Volt.

Maybe not at the beginning, but once the $40K compact "it" buyers are done.

 

The 1.4 and 2.0 are both Ecotecs (I believe) and both are DI Turbo engines so they should both fit. Also the Cruze is essentially a really, really well reskinned Cobalt so everything should fit.

 

What's the XFE going to have different for the extra 4 mpg? I think the XFE trucks only have low rolling resistance factory tires and maybe a couple small aero tweaks.

 

Maybe that was the plan but now they may have to change the gearing or something.

 

Does the truck also get different gearing.

My guess with the Cobalt is 1.8L for the regular and Turbo 1.4L for the XFE

 

The Cruze is not a reskinned Cobalt. The 1.4T is Family 0 and the 2.0T is Family II. Charlie already posted a link which was supposed to have been by someone in the know that the Family II won't fit because the exhaust is on the opposite side and the Cruze engine bay is too tight. This has not been confirmed though. (At least to my knowledge.)

 

One would hope so, but can't help but doubt it...

 

I think the gearing is the same as the base gearing on the regular truck. Don't they only get like 1mpg more anyway?

 

The XFE truck only gets the mileage with the "package included" tonneau cover. Other than that, I think it is only gearing, tires, and transmission tuning (which actual drivers say, will drive you insane).

 

3.08 gears and the 6L80E must be a great combination! It is like having 4.10 gears with the 4L60E (with works great!), but retaining low RPM at cruising speed.

 

Maybe. Also I'll bet you won't be able to find a Volt for under $50k on the west coast when they first hit showrooms, so that differential will probably be even greater.