Chevy Cruze Hybrid Coming Soon To Join Diesel, Gasoline Models?

Sometimes a few words can make all the difference.

In last week's seminars and presentations on the new 2016 Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, GM discussed its 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and gave a few scant details on a future 1.6-liter diesel model as well.

But the company also suggested the possibility of a future Chevy Cruze Hybrid model.

DON'T MISS: 2016 Chevrolet Cruze Sedan Unveiled; 40-MPG Highway Rating Promised

It was just a single modifier in one line on a slide about the future 1.6-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder that will propel the next-generation Cruze Diesel.

That engine, Chevy noted, would provide the highest "non-hybrid" fuel economy of any Chevy Cruze model.

That's called "begging the question."

In other words, a future hybrid Chevrolet Cruze model might in fact deliver even higher fuel-economy ratings than the upcoming Cruze diesel.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Any future Cruze Hybrid would presumably use a version of the same Volt-derived full-hybrid system unveiled in the 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid at the New York Auto Show in April.

ALSO SEE: 47-MPG Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid: Volt's Sibling Without A Plug May Be First Of Several