Jeep Hints (Again) At Diesel Wrangler, Grand Cherokee

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

If Chrysler’s five-year business plan were taken at face value, one might be forgiven for thinking we were supposed to have a four-cylinder, stop-start-equipped diesel Wrangler in the US by now. Not so, clarified Jeep’s bosses, while keeping the window open. Now Jeep CEO Mike Manley is hinting at diesels again, telling the Freep that the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee could get oil-burning engines “within three years,” and that

Diesel in some of our models makes absolute sense.

Europeans certainly seem to think so, as the vast majority of Jeep sales on the continent are diesel models. And no wonder: on the European test-cycle (non-EPA), the 3.8 liter gas-powered Wrangler (with manual) is rated at 15.5MPG city, 29 MPG highway and 22MPG combined, while the diesel 2.8 with manual and stop-start (offering less horsepower but more torque) is rated at 28.5MPG city, 36.2MPG highway and 33.1MPG combined (converted from l/100km figures). It might not be long before that kind of efficiency advantage becomes worth the $1k-$3k projected price premium (assuming the EPA test reflects an equal advantage).

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 21 comments
  • Carlson Fan Carlson Fan on Apr 11, 2011

    This gives me hope that GM and Isuzu will figure out how to stick a fuel efficient I4 turbo diesel in a 1/2 ton chassis which would make a great tow vehicle. Stop/start technology makes sense on gas engines because they idle so inefficiently but just the opposite is true for a diesel. If I am sitting at stoplights that much, I will just hop in my EV.

  • Brettc Brettc on Apr 11, 2011

    If they offer a diesel option in the Wrangler, I think they'd have difficulty keeping up with demand. It would be a unique selling point. I remember reading that the Liberty CRD had a much higher take rate than they anticipated, but they still killed the option. Didn't make sense to me. I can understand them removing it from the Cherokee because that's more of a mommy-mobile and maybe there wasn't much interest in the diesel for that. But Wranglers are meant to go off-road. A lot of low-end torque is a good thing in that application. As VW continues to prove, people want diesel engines even if there's a premium for the engine and the fuel price is often higher than gas. Driving a diesel is a lot more fun that a similar gas engine and the fuel economy doesn't hurt either. So it would be really nice if more manufacturers would figure it out. Diesel isn't for everyone, but it's nice when the option is given.

  • JMII JMII on Apr 11, 2011

    Call me when they stick a similar engine in a Dakota sized pickup. 200 HP and 400 TQ would be perfect for my towing application. Currently I have the 4.7l V8 Dak... and it gets 13 city or highway towing, gets 19 highway if unloaded. As mentioned the big problem is aero - a boat is pretty much an upside-down wing, thus even a small, light boat like mine (under 2,000lbs) is like having a parachute behind you aero-wise.

  • Amcelectric Amcelectric on Jul 10, 2011

    I would buy one if the fuel economy matched European model. It seems like the diesel engine would be a no brainer for the wrangler at the European mileage. The wrangler is very respected except for recent power plants. I think there would be an initial large surge sale of this wrangler model. If the wrangler is a hit in Europe it will sell in the US too.

Next