Chrysler 200, 300 Diesel Under Consideration
The Chrysler 300 is already equipped with a diesel for world markets, and there’s a possibility we may see an oil-burning 300 on our shores as well.
Speaking to Ward’s Auto, Chrysler brand CEO Saad Chebab noted that it all came down to cost.
“I think that we are in talks about the diesels because the Thema has a diesel in Europe anyway…it’s a matter of how much the customer is willing to pay for that premium. That’s the only issue with it.”
Chrysler is rolling out diesel engines on the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 made by VM Motori. But the diesel and the 8-speed automatic carry a premium of a few thousand dollars on the Grand Cherokee, a hefty sum, especially in the already declining full-size market.
Chebab also hinted that the Chrysler 200 may get a diesel option during its next generation, stating that “we have that opportunity to do it at any time.”
More by Derek Kreindler
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A couple of summers back a good friend of mine had the 300 Station Wagon with a diesel. We towed a trailer with 6 sport bikes from Stuttgart to Livorno, Italy en route to Sardinia for a week of riding. Also, were the sport bike riders in the wagon. Very, very comfortable for all involved with NO indication that it might be a diesel until we stopped to fill it up. Even possibly overloaded if performed well (might be that the speed limit in Germany with a trailer is 100 KPH, Once it Italy a "speedy" 120 kph is allowed but it still impressed me. But, I had a 3/4 ton GMC company truck in the US with the 350 Olds Diesel option so perhaps I am too easily impressed these days?
No chance a diesel 200 sees the light of day
They have been selling reasonably well here. Not the biggest seller though as fuel economy is not as vital as in Europe or elsewhere.
Personally I think diesel will take off in the US. Remember the US is behind the 8 ball in many respects in this area. Diesel cars sales have picked up substantially over the past couple of years as well. I also see a lot of commentators using the price of gasoline in comparison to diesel as an 'excuse'. We have similar price differences between these fuels in Australia and diesel is taking off. We are not as 'dieselised' as the Euro countries yet. As vehicle technology improves you will also see more premium gas fueled vehicles. This will also make diesel more attractive. Also the V are more expensive than the new breed of 4 cylinder diesels coming out. Within a couple of years 4 cylinder diesels with similar outputs to this will become more affordable. Another argument for diesel is the technology still has much further to go, whereas gasoline technology is reaching its zenith. Not now, but the US will see a more gradual acceptance of diesel and it will end up like the rest of the world.