Want to improve your gas mileage but aren't ready to take the plunge into hybrids or plug-ins just yet?

What you'll want is a diesel, then--and as Chevrolet is set to unveil the 2014 Cruze Diesel, due this year, your options have just increased.

The Detroit News reports that Chevy will unveil the diesel Cruze at the Chicago Auto Show on February 7.

Production will then begin in the second quarter, with sales expected to begin in April or May, according to a source.

2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel Preview

The Chevy Cruze Diesel will use a 2.0-liter direct-injected turbocharged diesel engine, equipped with AdBlue urea injection to convert nitrous oxides into nitrogen and water. This will help it pass tough emissions tests both now, and in the future.

Details are still yet to be released of the car's power and torque outputs, though the current European Cruze diesel develops 161-horsepower and a chunky 266 pounds-feet of torque.

Chevy has also spent a lot of time refining the engine to meet U.S. customers' high expectations of low engine noise.

Official fuel consumption figures are also yet to surface, but it's expected to be higher than the current Cruze Eco, and figures around 40 mpg in real-world driving could well be possible.

GM is already excited for the car's launch, GM North America president Mark Reuss saying, "It's going to be great," when he addressed the press last month.

He added, "There's a place for diesels here... it's still the most efficient thermodynamics of combustion that we have." He added, "We need some stability in the quality of fuel across the country, which would help us calibrate and bring [the cars] to market more effectively."

We'll be sure to bring you more on the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel when the car is officially unveiled in Chicago next month.

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