If it gets 35-40mpg I'll buy one. Must be 4x4 though.

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2005 sport crd-SOLD No regrets

Marketing material does not magically create a 51% fuel economy improvement. Thats far far more improvement than simple 'refinement' or slightly newer engine technology can produce. The fact that it hasn't been used in the US is meaningless, it has been used just not here. And definatly not with US safety/emissions requirements attached, which may make it perform even worse than other technologies designed with US requirements in mind.

I think some people do not grasp the magnitude of the claim here. 51% is huge, not just a minor set of tweaks. I see nothing in the specs that could accound for such a high mileage claim. With the weight decrease, the slightly newer diesel tech(I don't know why people are acting like CRD engines are ancient or something, they aren't), and a manual option I can see a 10-15% improvement being possible. 51% though is either a major breakthrough, or magic.

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD

^^^ Reflex, you obviously did not buy a new carburetor in the late 70s that delivered 200 mpg.

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

Hate to say or think this, but I tend to agree with Reflex. 35-40 mpg seems like fantasy island stuff to me for that vehicle. I'll believe it if/when it comes to the market as claimed and is proven!

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08 Elantra SE daily driver
2001 F-250 powerstroke

I do not think 30-35 mpg (without hybrid technology) is far fetched. Heck, there are CRD Jeep Liberty’s that are getting 30+ mpg. And just think, if Chrysler would have spent 80 million on emissions testing, then maybe they would have gotten better results. I wouldn’t let Chrysler’s lack of competence set the standard for diesel opportunity and quality for the United States. At least Mahindra has a well developed plan, they recognize a future for clean diesels, and they already plan on introducing several models. The 40+ mpg claims are geared towards a technology that has never been used in the United States. Again, to be fair to Mahindra, we must keep an open mind that technology can take us to new limits. There are many components to a diesel that can be tweaked to produce a more efficient engine.

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

If they are reliable and get 35 mpg the Liberty would probably be history and I'd get one of their pickups.

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08 Elantra SE daily driver
2001 F-250 powerstroke

dieselenthusiast - I guarantee you that Chrysler spends at least that much if not considerably more on their new models for emissions testing. That figure sounds impressive to people who don't work for major corps, but working for one myself(albeit not in automotive) thats a pretty minor development investment for a product going to a large market. I guarantee you that my last project spent at least that on just legal/regulatory compliance alone.

As for Chrysler's competence, I don't see where they have messed up. The engine is not even a Chrysler design, and similarly weighted vehicles get approximatly the same mileage when put under the same requirements. Just to put it in perspective: The Mercedes R320CDI achieves an EPA estimate of 21 combined mpg, despite being lighter than our Liberty, far more aerodynamic, and having a more modern engine. The E320 sedan manages 26 mpg combined, despite being far lighter and far more aerodynamic. Even the Jetta TDI in manual only does 33mpg, and its a tiny car. Obviously I'm going by EPA estimates here and diesels outperform them a bit, but EPA estimates are what Mahindra is going to have to advertise in order to sell here(and they won't outperform them by any more significant a percentage than existing diesels do).

So, despite the average mileage of even the best small car diesels being in only the low 30's in the US market, Mahindra is going to create a SUV shaped like a brick, weighing nearly what our Liberty's weigh and magically get mileage superior to even the most efficient small car diesels? Seriously, you buy into that?

UFO - I think I may have found you some new customers for those carberators.

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2006 Jeep Liberty Sport CRD

The engine isn’t the problem. The incompetence begins with the emissions approach that was rushed. And yes, Chrysler is to blame for that. The VM Motori 2.8L itself has been in production since 2002 and is considered a great engine. As a matter of fact, I’d take a non-EGR 2.8L in a Wrangler in a heartbeat.

And “YES”, I do believe that Mahindra has their ducks in a row and are working towards a more fuel-efficient diesel vehicle. I have just as many reasons for believing their claims as I have for debunking their claims.

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

Exactly We must remember the Liberty CRD in the US was just a marketing test

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Do you work or supply parts/services to Mahindra???

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2005 sport crd-SOLD No regrets

Nope, I have absolutely no affiliation with Mahindra. I’m very familiar with their tractors but that’s about it. I’m giving Mahindra the benefit of doubt simply because they are trying to bring more diesels into the U.S. Mahindra is doing very well in their own country and see an open market here in the U.S. It’s not like they’re trying to make a one ton dually to compete with the BIG 3. I think there are too many people that assume a foreign company can’t outperform and beat the U.S. competition. To say that Mahindra trucks can not meet their mpg claims is nothing more than an opinion. If something is not made and designed in America, then people automatically assume it‘s not legitimate. On the flip-side, I do not pretend to believe everything I read. However, in the meantime, I have no reason to debunk Mahindra. Mahindra makes great products and have a good reputation. Their tractor sales have grown ever since they were introduced in the U.S. In addition, they are using excellent sources with the mindset to design a fuel efficient engine. Mahindra is spending lots of dollars to make sure their engine will be programmed and tuned for strict emissions. They are sticking with one engine and one transmission, which keeps the focus in one area. Mahindra is very confident in their marketing plans as they recognize that America is craving a fuel efficient, small diesel for light duty trucks. However, these trucks will be great for towing small loads and will be a nice working truck. The fuel-efficient engine will be suitable for commuters and the truck will fit inside a garage. I can barely fit my Doge Cummins into a Sonic bay, much alone a garage. I think Mahindra is very serious as they have a long term commitment to the U.S. market. The first year they will offer a two door and a four door model. Their introduction of a six speed automatic will give you taller gears which will result in better fuel economy and pulling power. I like the fact that Mahindra has been consistent with their game plan. I first read about Mahindra’s plan back when diesel power magazine first hit the shelves two years ago. Either way, they will be ready to buy this time next year, so I guess we’ll see what they can achieve at that point in time. Hats off for doing something that the big 3 has ignored for so many years.

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

As far as the MPG claims, only time and driving will tell.

One friend in VA, up until a couple years ago, had an '87 Ford Ranger diesel. He said he could regularly achieve 35 mpg on the interstate without any aerodynamic or other mods.

So I wouldn't put 35 mpg (real world, not EPA) outside the real of possibility.

But, I've already had my turn in the barrel playing guinea pig with the CRD. I'll wait for someone else to get some experience with these, and a couple years for all the bugs to show up, before I'd make a call on this one.

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Mitchell Oates
'87 MB 300D Diamond Blue Metallic
'87 MB 300D - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Sport CRD Stone White
Provent CCV Filter/AT2525 Muffler
Stanadyne 30 u/Cat 2 u Fuel Filters
Fumoto Drain/Fleetguard LF3487 Oil filter
V6 Airbox/Amsoil EAA Air Filter
Suncoast TC/Shift Kit/Aux Cooler
Kennedy Lift Pump/Return Fuel Cooler

I love when I hear that still.
-c

I would have to agree, I lost money when I traded the CRD in.

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

Personally, I hope Mahindra is successful--for two reasons. First, the US desperately needs a fuel-efficient pickup--it doesn't have one now, and really hasn't since the small-displacement diesel Toyotas, Mistsubishis, and Isuzus (and their American-badged versions) went away in the 1980's. Second, Mahindra's presence might actually get both the American and Japanese manufacturers off of the their ***es to build and market a decent compact diesel pickup in the US--Lord knows a number of the manufacturers do it overseas now.

If those things don't happen, my prediction is that the pickup and SUV will become an unaffordable luxury to the middle class within a very few years. I have an old diesel pickup now, and there is no way at current fuel costs that I could comfortably afford to drive it as my daily driver--and I sure as hell wouldn't buy a new one at the fuel economy available in current new US pickup offerings. The days of buying a 4WD pickup or SUV if one doesn't really need one are about to be pretty much over--and even those of us who do need them are going to have to have something available that gets a whole lot better fuel economy that what's out there now. Maybe the Mahindra is a start in that direction. It is pretty sad that a car company in far-away India has got that figured out, while all of the MBA-types at the Big Three sit around and spend gazillions of dollars trying to market fuel-guzzling vehicles that most people aren't going to be able to afford for many more years. A real lack of vision there.

PS--As to vehicle qualtiy (from my experience):

In the 1970's the typical American-built vehicle was junk at 100K miles; the typical Toyota went 150K-200K without major problems. Now, the typical American vehilce will go close to 200K, and most Toyotas will go at least 250K-300K. So, the American vehicles are a lot better, but so are the Toyotas. (If Toyota had sold a diesel compact 4WD in the US when I was looking to buy back in '05, I would never have bought the CRD--I love the CRD engine, but the rest of the Liberty is ho-hum.)

I hope they make it because I'm hoping they will eventually bring the CJ flatfender copy they make to the US. Did I mention it comes with a diesel?

That will never happen, no way in hell it would meet safety regs.

It would be more likely that the KJ, WJ, XJ, and ZJ would come back into production before that.

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http://www.Colorado4Wheel.com
"Its not about what you can DO with your Jeep, its about where you can GO with your Jeep."
Knowledgeable - But Caustic

weird looking doe

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2002 Cherokee 2.5 Crd Sport
ARB Bumper unit
Champion winche System
2'' Daystar lift kit
remapped ecu
Mopar light system
Samco Blue Hoses
Razer R20s filter
K&N Air filter system
Airflow snorkel system
builtin garmin system
bridgestone 245/70/16 All Terrains

I read in Automotive Weekly theynow have a hybrid that uses a simple torque converter with a electric motor in it This makes it unnecessary to make big changes to the engine and transmission. It's actually supposed to improve the preformance of the small diesel. Look for it to be in the US in 2010.

Joe

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

the way fuel prices are going,something has to be done,getting outta hand

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2002 Cherokee 2.5 Crd Sport
ARB Bumper unit
Champion winche System
2'' Daystar lift kit
remapped ecu
Mopar light system
Samco Blue Hoses
Razer R20s filter
K&N Air filter system
Airflow snorkel system
builtin garmin system
bridgestone 245/70/16 All Terrains