Chrysler Gives us Diesel Jeep Cherokee

Looking to take a share of what could be an emerging market of diesel-powered mid-size and larger vehicles in the United States, automaker Chrysler will roll out a diesel-engine variant of their Jeep Grand Cherokee for the 2013 model-year, and possibly equip more vehicles with diesel options in the future.

Developed originally by VM Motori and Fiat, Chrysler is expected to equip the diesel optioned 2013 Grand Cherokee with their 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6--an engine designed off of those found in current European model releases. The 2013 Cherokee diesel variant will produce 224 horsepower and 406 lb-ft torque. Although official U.S. MPG ratings for the 2013 Chrysler diesel engine still require further testing, its outdated European diesel predecessor has a 28.3 MPG U.S equivalent rating. The coming updated diesel for the U.S. and world markets will see a significant improvement in emissions reductions, power and fuel economy.

"Even with its improved performance, fuel economy for the new 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine is 8.3 L/100km on the combined cycle, an improvement of 19 percent over the prior diesel engine. CO2 emissions (combined cycle) are also reduced by 20 percent, now at 218 g/km," reported a Jeep Europe press release. In a recent article with Automotive News in early October, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne backed the plan to bring diesel to the United States, and even said we should expect diesel options in more large Chrysler vehicles in the future.

Chrysler has said that 14 percent of its global sales will be diesel powered by the 2014 model-year, which is up from 8 percent in 2009.

Many Chrysler vehicles are great candidates for the diesel engine variant--which was designed by VM Motori and Fiat to work across drive platforms including front, rear, and transverse drive. This means that even front-wheel drive Chrysler vehicles could be fitted with the diesel engine.

Vehicles that could be fitted with diesel include Chrysler's line of light-trucks like the Dodge Durango and the Ram 1500. Also, these diesel engines could be used in smaller Chrysler vehicles like the Grand Caravan, the Chrysler Town & Country, and even the 300.

In addition to diesel, more natural gas powered vehicles would quickly increase Chrysler's overall fuel economy, said Marchionne.

"The likelihood of that happening is uncertain, but I'm still hopeful that at least a sizable portion of the U.S. market will develop CNG capability. And we are ready," Marchionne told Automotive News.