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2014 Chevrolet Cruze TD fires up its new diesel motor

Ever since General Motors confirmed plans to produce a diesel-powered Cruze back in 2011, we've been eagerly awaiting its arrival. And as part of the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, Chevrolet has pulled back the cover on its oil-burning compact sedan, set to go on sale in the near future with a starting price of $25,695, not including $810 for destination.
The heart and soul of the Cruze TD (that's its official name) is a 2.0-liter turbo-diesel inline four-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, mated solely to a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine also has an overboost function that will increase torque to 280 lb-ft for up to ten seconds. The full brace of official specs haven't been released, but GM tells us that highway fuel economy will come in at 42 miles per gallon. If that number sounds familiar, it's because the Volkswagen Jetta TDI has the exact same rating. Unlike the Jetta, however, the Cruze TD can run on B20 biodiesel, where as the Volkswagen can only accept B5.
Model-specific changes to this 2014 Cruze TD include an aero kit and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Inside, there's a full leather interior, and Chevrolet will provide two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, not to mention a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Here's why automakers roll out those Texas-themed pickup trucks

Every year, automakers with a full-size truck link make a big show of the Texas State Fair, usually involving a reveal of a new model. Sometimes they show a whole new truck, and other times a special edition centered on the Lone Star state. While some people might write this off as a quirk of the industry, others might be wondering, "What's the big deal with Texas?" As it turns out, part of the big deal with Texas is big truck sales. According to Dave Sullivan, product analysis manager at AutoPacific, Texas buys more trucks than any other state in the country. It's not a small margin either. Edmunds.com, one in five trucks sold in the US are sold in Texas. The state also accounts for 15 percent of the country's large truck sales, which is more than twice that of California, the second largest truck market in America. Even when you break down sales only in Texas, trucks are a huge piece of the pie - Sullivan says that a quarter of new vehicle sales in Texas are trucks. One in five trucks sold in the US are sold in Texas. But it's not just sales that make truck builders give attention to Texas. As Sullivan explained, "Pickups are life in Texas." Both he and Hugh Milne, marketing and advertising manager for the Chevy Silverado line, said that trucks are key fixtures in Texas society, as both work trucks and luxury vehicles (or Texas Cadillacs as Milne called them). Milne said Texas is so important in the truck market that if you want to be successful in the rest of the country, "you've got to be successful in Texas." As for the State Fair, it has become a prime location for reveals in part because of the importance of the Texas market and because of how big the fair is. Milne also revealed that the State Fair also hosts its own auto show, so it's an ideal venue for a vehicle introduction. So there you have it. Why do truck builders obsess over Texas? It's because Texas obsesses over trucks. When you have one market that loves your product that much, you give it the attention it deserves. Related Video: Image Credit: Donovan Reese via Getty Images Auto News Marketing/Advertising Chevrolet Ford RAM Truck f-150 texas state fair

eBay Find of the Day: Mario Andretti's personal 2009 Corvette ZR1

With victory in the the Indianapolis 500, a Formula 1 World Championship, a win in the Daytona 500 and too many other motorsports accomplishments to list, Mario Andretti stands among not just the greatest American racing drivers of all time, but the greatest drivers, full stop. Apparently, the champ is also a fan of speed when not on the track, because now there's a chance to own what is said tobe his personal 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 with just 12,872 miles on the clock. The eBay Motors auction page clearly shows Mario Andretti standing with the car, but the rest of the ad is admittedly short on details. The vehicle history report lists only one previous owner – ostensibly Andretti. The exterior is a handsome Blade Silver Metallic accompanied by a Dark Titanium leather interior. However, the seller keeps additional information to a minimum as well with the description simply stating, "This 2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1 is owned by Mario Andretti and has been garage kept all its life. It is fully loaded with all option on this car." The future buyer will get a seriously great car along with some huge bragging rights at any party by touting its ownership history. We've reached out to the seller for more particulars and provenance, and will update this story if we hear back. In the meantime, the auction for this C6 ends on Thursday, January 8, and currently the reserve isn't met. The price sits at a hefty $68,100 as of this writing, with six bids registered. Featured Gallery 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 owned by Mario Andretti Auction News Source: eBay MotorsTip: Roger Celebrities Motorsports Chevrolet Auctions Coupe Performance chevy corvette zr1