Chevrolet Cruze engineers have developed a number of advanced fuel-saving technologies which can help its customers save on their fuel consumption.
Among the several fuel-saving technologies developed by Chevrolet’s engineers is the deceleration fuel cutoff (DFCO) provision which works seamlessly without the driver and the passengers ever noticing. As soon as a vehicle starts to slow down or decelerate, fuel supply is automatically cut off to the car’s advanced Ecotec engine. The fuel supply to the engine is resumed once the driver starts to speed up again.
The greatest advantage of this seamless technology is that it enables reduction in fuel consumption in the Cruze by up to 2 percent. This is however, subject to both the driving conditions and functioning. Leveraging this technology, consumers can benefit from an additional 17 miles of the overall range on the Cruze Eco model and more than 11 miles of range on the non-Eco Cruze models on a single tank of fuel. This also means consumers will be required to pump in less fuel when at a gas station.
In a release, Kai Loos, the development systems manager for the Cruze's 1.4-liter turbocharged engine said that "The Cruze is packed with fuel-saving technologies. These types of cost-effective technologies allow Chevrolet to offer customers a vehicle that achieves hybrid-like efficiency without the cost of the hybrid technology."
DFCO technology comes into play as soon as the driver's foot is off the accelerator pedal and the vehicle starts to coast. Engineers combined several engine and transmission controls, which enable control on engine speed as soon as the vehicle starts to decelerate. As soon as the vehicle starts to speed up or touched ideal cruising conditions, fuel supply to the engine is automatically resumed.
This technology has been enabled on both automatic and manual transmissions Cruze models.
Chevrolet has announced that its 2012, Cruze models that have been designed with the 1.4L turbo and six-speed automatic transmission can benefit from 2 mpg better fuel economy. Its Cruze Eco which has automatic transmission will now be able to provide 39 mpg on the highway compared to37 mpg for the 2011 model.
Cruze Eco provisioned with a standard six-speed manual transmission is considered to be the most fuel-efficient gas-powered/non-hybrid vehicle in America, capable of providing an EPA-rated 42 mpg on the highway.
Calvin Azuri is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Calvin’s articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Rich Steeves
