Jeep to offer diesel Grand Cherokee in 2007

[chris.curley]

Finally !!!!!

More diesels.





http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.d...601006/1003/newsletter06&refsect=newsletter06



Clipped from the above website :

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DETROIT -- The Chrysler group will being selling a diesel-powered version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the U. S. market early next year.



The diesel Grand Cherokee will be powered by a turbocharged, 3. 0-liter V-6 with common rail fuel system. It goes on sale in the first quarter of 2007, the Chrysler group said early Thursday. The engine will be supplied by Mercedes-Benz, and the vehicles will be assembled at the automaker's plant in Detroit.



This will be the second diesel-powered Jeep in the automaker's lineup. Last year the Chrysler group launched a diesel-powered version of the Jeep Liberty. Demand for that model has outstripped supply.



The Chrysler group said fuel economy of the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee will be up to 30 percent higher than a gasoline-powered version of the SUV. The diesel Grand Cherokee will have a driving range of about 425 miles, compared with about 300 miles for a gasoline version.

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[MFalkinham]

The Chrysler group said fuel economy of the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee will be up to 30 percent higher than a gasoline-powered version of the SUV. The diesel Grand Cherokee will have a driving range of about 425 miles, compared with about 300 miles for a gasoline version.
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300 miles on a gas version? My '04 Grand Cherokee 4. 7L 2wd has a 20. 5 gallon tank, and gets 20mpg highway, so that works out to an over 400 mile range.

I'm glad to see a diesel option will be offered, but thanks to the tree-huggers it's going to be a V-configuration and will probably have aluminum heads, EGR, particulate filter, and a variable vane turbo. Not exactly the ideal setup for long-term reliability, so I think I'll just stick with my 20mpg gasser.

 

[mcoleman]

I was a little disappointed in the fuel mileage ratings of 23 mpg hwy but 376 foot pounds of torque sounds nice. I think that is the same engine used in the blue tec Mercedes. It's pretty quick in the 320 cars. 0-60 in something like 7. 0 flat or 6. 6. And 15 flat in the 1/4.

 

[Tinman]

That's good news. Wonder why they are going with a 3. 0 versus the 2. 8 CRD Libby engine. That's a good little motor. There are some mutterings over at the Libby forum about the availability of the 07 CRD. Apparently, the 2. 8 is not ready for the 07 emissions and it might not be possible to get the CRD in the Liberty for a little while. We love ours so far.

 

[mcoleman]

The 3. 0 Mercedes is supposed to be a better engine and is what powers the 320 class cars. The 216hp and 376 pounds of torque will probably handle the extra weight of the GC better. I wish they would offer it with a 6 speed manual though.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I'm glad someone is offering a midsize SUV with a 6-cylinder diesel, even if it's in a V configuration. If engineered properly it should live a long time in a light-duty application like the Cherokee.

 

[TFucili]

If engineered properly it should live a long time in a light-duty application like the Cherokee.

You mean we can't clamp a fiver hitch to the roof rack??!!!

 

[BILLUA]

We put a DR Performance chip on our '06 Liberty and love it a even more now :-laf