Diesel Grand Cherokee coming soon

rjmaype · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 4:17 pm

Diesel Grand Cherokee to Give Jeep Four Models at 30 MPG
WardsAuto
Jim Mateja
Tue, 2013-05-28 06:12

ELKHART LAKE, WI – Launch of a diesel-powered Grand Cherokee in the next couple of months will give Jeep four models rated at 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km) highway.

The Wrangler will be the sole remaining Jeep not to achieve that fuel-economy rating, with the Compass, Patriot and new midsize Cherokee that replaces the Liberty this fall all delivering 30 mpg.

That could change in the ’15 model year, when the Wrangler is scheduled for a refresh that executives say could include application of the same 3.0L 6-cyl. diesel.

“So far it will be the only one,” Jim Morrison, head of Jeep North American operations, says of the diesel application in the Grand Cherokee during an interview here at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Assn. spring new-car rally.

“Yet, after we announced we were going to have a diesel Grand Cherokee, we got so many positive reactions from consumers and so many customer requests for diesels that we are looking at how to expand the diesel line into other vehicles.”

Morrison won’t say which other Jeeps might get a diesel or when, but he notes Wrangler attracts younger buyers “who understand and accept diesels,” and the addition of the engine presumably would complete the brand’s lineup of 30-mpg vehicles.

The Jeep executive is more eager to talk about the upcoming new Cherokee, considered a vital component in marque’s long-term success and what Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has termed the brand’s “now or never” shot to succeed in the midsize utility-vehicle segment.

“It is,” Morrison says of the now-or-never forecast. “We are absolutely counting on it to be really good.

“It's a big segment (1.6 million to 1.7 million annual sales), so there is a lot of pressure on us, though now that we've experienced three years of growth and profitability, it's pressure, not panic, to do well,” he adds. “Cherokee is the name that originally defined what an SUV was when we first started using it. A lot is on the line – pride in SUV sales leadership.”

While the Cherokee will replace the Liberty in a matter of months, the Compass and Patriot now are expected to continue in the Jeep lineup through 2015, according to a WardsAuto/Automotive Compass production forecast.

After that there are no guarantees, only speculation that only one will survive or perhaps one of the two will be sold in the U.S. while the other will be offered in Europe.

“What will we do with those two? What I know is that I can't tell you,” Morrison says.

tech57 · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 5:17 pm

I'm looking forward to seeing the GC diesel when it hits the local dealerships.
I'm REALLY interested in seeing a Wrangler with diesel powerplant

Hexus · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 5:25 pm

The problem is they only offer it in the most expensive trim models. We'll see if the 2014 RAM is any different this fall.

geordi · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 6:25 pm

It won't be. They know people want diesels for the capabilities and the longevity, which means that they want it for working... And that they don't want to be buying a replacement soon after.

The answer from the suits? Get as much money from the sucke... CUSTOMER as they possibly can, all at once.

Look for the truck to be every bit of $50k and loaded with useless anti-work things like leather seats and platinum floormats.

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Glend · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 7:56 pm

You won't be disappointed, I have driven one and it's a powerhouse! The engine is sweet with masses of torque and think Keith has already got a tune for the export model (from what I know locally).

Yes it is sold at a premium to the gaser. The jury is still out on how the electronic /air suspension system will stand up to the rigors of outback roads but there are plenty of people out there already putting them through their paces. They are also selling alot of them as they are much cheaper than the Toyota Landcruiser & Prado, and Nissan equivalents; so they are becoming the great lower cost towing workhorse for caravans, trailers, horse floats, etc.

My son has a diesel Wrangler and it has the more recent generation VM2.8L engine but with the revised head, updated injection system and a gear driven cam assembly (the intake and exhaust cams are connected by a gear set so they are always in-time, with the intake cam driving the exhaust cam) which makes service much easier. So when you do get the diesel Wrangler it will be a nice package, and Keith already sells the Tune versions for the export model so he's ready to go with that for you guys. We're waiting for the Wrangler redesign, as some KJ CRD owners see that as the only logical progression path. If they put long travel IFS on the Wrangler in 2015 and a structural hardtop it could be the new KJ for outback travel.

As far as the new Cherokee (Liberty) is concerned, I can't find anyone down here who would want one.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 8:41 pm

Glend wrote:

My son has a diesel Wrangler

AAArrrggghhhh :furious:

I want one.

(back to the V6 - I've heard it'll go into some trucks too - that'll help sales in Texas - and I think we buy 1/2 the pickups made)

painemann · **Joined:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 7:02 pm **Posts:** 607

Glend wrote:

You won't be disappointed, I have driven one and it's a powerhouse! The engine is sweet with masses of torque and think Keith has already got a tune for the export model (from what I know locally).

Yes it is sold at a premium to the gaser. The jury is still out on how the electronic /air suspension system will stand up to the rigors of outback roads but there are plenty of people out there already putting them through their paces. They are also selling alot of them as they are much cheaper than the Toyota Landcruiser & Prado, and Nissan equivalents; so they are becoming the great lower cost towing workhorse for caravans, trailers, horse floats, etc.

My son has a diesel Wrangler and it has the more recent generation VM2.8L engine but with the revised head, updated injection system and a gear driven cam assembly (the intake and exhaust cams are connected by a gear set so they are always in-time, with the intake cam driving the exhaust cam) which makes service much easier. So when you do get the diesel Wrangler it will be a nice package, and Keith already sells the Tune versions for the export model so he's ready to go with that for you guys. We're waiting for the Wrangler redesign, as some KJ CRD owners see that as the only logical progression path. If they put long travel IFS on the Wrangler in 2015 and a structural hardtop it could be the new KJ for outback travel.

As far as the new Cherokee (Liberty) is concerned, I can't find anyone down here who would want one.

I have also driven one, nice car but notice I said "car". These things are after fuel economy and they just keep getting lower and lower, they are now just AWD cars.
I don't think I should say much about the diesel since thy are not for sale yet but I would have nothing bad to say about the engine from the short amount of seat time I had with it.. The air suspension is interesting, as said already it will be interesting to see what long term abuse it can take.
I really don't understand the bull about having the diesel only in the high dollar jeeps, it should be just like a 3/4 ton truck, you want the diesel you pay X amount in any trim level.
I hope it does well, I really want to see it in a wrangler! When I see a diesel in a wrangler I will be ready to get my wallet out, I would rather it be a 4 banger cummins but that is too much to ask for!

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Wed May 29, 2013 11:42 pm

From what I understand WK2 diesel will be available late July or as late as end of September 13. Seems Chrysler is still waiting for final approval from EPA on emmissions mandates.
I have real strong opinions on the EPA and its ridiculous and outrageous diesel regulations.
--These mandates make it so there is less exhaust particulate matter emitted than the dust generated by the wearing tires! --Does the EPA mandate this standard out of the gasser 6.2 liter V8s Chevy uses in the Silverado? I think not.
It's all because using diesel uses less oil and Big Oil hurts because of this and you know this government agency and Big Oil have very close ties.
Mini rant done.

Roland

EAB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:39 pm **Posts:** 141

The diesel will be in the higher end modles at first then lesser models ( according to Chrysler sales training).
The air suspension has been in the Grand Cherokee since 2011

MedicPatriot · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 1:51 am

I don't think I would want to try the first generations of these...

geordi · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 2:08 am

If they are still waiting for EPA approvals, then it WILL NOT be available in September at dealerships. That is physically impossible. That is only 4 months away, and you are talking about all of the government testing and certifications that need to happen before a single production VIN can be issued. That takes months.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 8:22 am

It will be out when it's out; when depends on EPA testing of course but how soon that is done depends on a variety of things not the least of which is when the testing started and as far as I know we don't know when it started. I suspect testing may take longer on first introduction and less on later ones. Translation testing on the Grand Cherokee with the 3L EcoDiesel and 8speed automatic is apparently first in the pipe to be followed by, apparently, the Ram 1500 with the same configuration. I would expect testing on the latter to be relatively simple for obvious reasons. Of course that's a rational expectation which 30 years of so of direct dealing with EPA under a variety of administrations may be overly optimistic.

As to pricing. This is apparently not the limited run that the 05/06 KJ CRD was so the game may be a bit different. I cannot speak for the Grand C run with the Mercedes engine but that may not be a good model given the dicey nature of the DCJ Mercedes "marriage" in contrast to the current DCJ Fiat "marriage". We do know that the 2.8L CRD engine 05/06 KJ CRDs came in a variety of trim levels by no means all of which were "loaded". How that will play out in the real world of now remains to be seen; I suspect:
1. most "spec" vehicles that the dealers order or get will be loaded with as much high profit margin stuff as they think they can get away with. "BIG" surprise given that this is the way dealers have ordered all there vehicles for as long as I can remember.
2. I'm more interested in whether or not you can order a vehicle built the way you want it for later delivery. If so the question becomes what "packages" do you have to order to get the diesel. The only thing I can say for sure is if you "build" a vehicle at the Jeep website the EcoDiesel alone is a $4,500 add on but they do limit that engine to some of the fancier models and stick you with an extra luxury pkg that runs the price up an additional $1,700 or $2,700 depending on the model you start with. How long that will be true I don't know and of course those $s are "list" prices not sell for prices.
3. In the longer term if that same diesel/tranny combo is put in more utility vehicles, not the somewhat fancy Grand Cherokee, like the RAM 1500 and the Wrangler I suspect the extras that are stuck on with the diesel may be less

Just guessing obviously and I'm not in the market anytime soon.

cevans · **Joined:** Wed Aug 24, 2005 12:48 pm **Posts:** 278

The KJ CRD was affordable, and even the Limited decked out models were under $30k. The GC is going to be pushing over $55k. In my book that is a LOT for a Jeep, especially when the same money gets you a Mercedes or BMW diesel.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 10:30 am

Perhaps but right now if you run the build and price widget on the Jeep site for a GC Limited with just the EcoDiesel option and what that "sticks" you with:
1.4X2 = $41,290 - adds nothing but $4,500 EcoDiesel price to base price (e.g. no extra fluff)
2.4X4 = $46,290 - includes ca. $2,000 premium for 4X4 plus some Luxury Group II

The Limited is the lowest model with the diesel option. Obviously pricing would be better if it was available on the LaredoE or Laredo but that does not appear to be the case right now.

For what it's worth in 2005 the Liberty cost less than the GC, don't have a clue how much but running a simple online inflation calculator says $30,000 in 2005 would adjust to $35,000 in 2012 for whatever that's worth. My only point is $X on a different model in 05/06 is not a good comparison to $Y on a completely different model with a substantially different engine in late 2013. Not saying the above prices are "good".

Not to mention the above prices are "list".

flash7210 · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 10:37 am

Ok, so what is going on in this picture?

The big hose running across the top of the radiator looks like the the turbo outlet to where?
Does this thing even have an intercooler?
The hose runs across the top of the radiator, then down to somewhere in front of the engine,
then where?

EAB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:39 pm **Posts:** 141

Yes it has an intrcooler ans that piece is a resonator.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

Jeep + VM Motori = Marriage made in Hell

Why can't Cummins make the engine?

kdlewis1975 · **Posted:** Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:30 pm

Fiat owns half of VM Motori now. With them running Chrysler, insourcing is probably cheaper than buying engines from Cummins...at least for Fiat's bottom line. I agree though, these things would be sweet with a baby Cummins, and people would be more eager to accept them.

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EAB · **Joined:** Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:39 pm **Posts:** 141

Emissions testing already complete, good for federal and California.
.
.

user113 · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 11:43 pm

cevans wrote:

The KJ CRD was affordable, and even the Limited decked out models were under $30k. The GC is going to be pushing over $55k. In my book that is a LOT for a Jeep, especially when the same money gets you a Mercedes or BMW diesel.

papaindigo wrote:

The only thing I can say for sure is if you "build" a vehicle at the Jeep website the EcoDiesel alone is a $4,500 add on but they do limit that engine to some of the fancier models and stick you with an extra luxury pkg that runs the price up an additional $1,700 or $2,700 depending on the model you start with.

Benz seems to have a totally different philosophy regarding diesels, according to Car and Driver's review of the 2008 GL320 CDI: "The GL320 CDI, as the diesel is designated, was the least expensive model in the GL line, with a base price of $53,775 when it was delivered in August 2007."

Diesel Grand Cherokee coming soon

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