Topic: 2016 Jeep Wrangler To Get Diesel Engine?

[Jeffy]

http://www.edmunds.com/car-news/2016-jeep-wrangler-to-get-diesel-engine.html

Just the Facts:
Jeep plans to boost the Wrangler's fuel economy with the introduction of a diesel engine.
A freshening is planned for the Wrangler when the diesel goes on sale.
No word on pricing, but the diesel likely will be costly.

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Jeep Wrangler enthusiasts who have been asking for a diesel engine will get their wish in about two years.

The diesel will be available in the 2016 Wrangler, which will debut in 2015.

"The engine will be introduced toward the end of the model's lifecycle to boost sales before they bring in the redesigned model," according to an industry source who asked not to be identified.

At the same time, the 2016 Wrangler will be freshened, possibly with new interior trim and exterior colors.

Automakers sometimes introduce new technology or a new engine to create a buzz for a model that is nearing maturity. In particular, diesel engines are being added by automakers because of rising fuel prices and a government mandate for better fuel economy.

The specifics about the Wrangler's diesel engine are unclear, although it is likely to be the same engine that is optional in the 2013 Ram pickup and 2014 Grand Cherokee.

The Grand Cherokee is available with a turbocharged 3.0-liter Ecodiesel V6 that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The V6 is produced by VM Motori, an Italian engine maker in which Fiat holds a stake.

The engine produces 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee's fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg city and 28 mpg highway for the model and 30 mpg highway for the 4x2. Sales begin this spring.

A diesel engine is a pricey option. Jeep is asking a $4,500 premium for the Grand Cherokee's diesel engine, making it $2,305 more expensive than the Hemi V8.

In addition, depending on the state, the price of diesel per gallon can be considerably higher than gasoline.

The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Friday pegged the average price for a gallon of diesel fuel at $4.13 versus $3.77 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline.

Edmunds says: It no surprise a diesel engine is planned. After all, both consumers and the feds are demanding the same thing — better mpg.

[RNandKT]

420 ft/lb torque out of a 3.0 and getting 20 mpg city and 28 mpg hwy is about as sweet as it gets, taken Jeep long enough to hear what Jeep Owners have been saying for years.

But the cost is pretty steep. I read the article on the new diesel Grand Cherokee and fully loaded with the diesel it is about $50,000 so ... takes a long time for that to earn it's money back. Imagine a new Rubicon JKU which starts at about $34K-$39K and then add the $4500 for the diesel .... plus any other options and you'll be getting close to that $50K price as well.

Heck the $5-$10K it costs to put the 4BT or 1.9 TDI into my TJ suddenly looks a lot more attractive. ;-)

[Tr00b]

I was shopping earlier this year for a diesel liberty or diesel GC... Basically the pricing on them is premium, yes, but not THAT much more than gas models. They are known for several catastrophic failures and I never got a stellar reliability report on either model and parts pricing was double outragoeus. I almost got a diesel libby but I couldn't fit in it and didn't like the automatic or the fact that the transmission I didn't like is super prone to explosion.

I hope Chrysler plays this smart and does not do another whiz bang POS.

[Bounty Hunter]

A diesel engine is a pricey option. Jeep is asking a $4,500 premium for the Grand Cherokee's diesel engine, making it $2,305 more expensive than the Hemi V8.

Not mentioned is the $3000 Luxury Group II package you're required to get with the diesel.  So that's a $7,500 premium over the v6.

The 8spd automatic is a welcome addition to this line and the 1500 pickup.

We're in the market for the Grand diesel as soon as it hits dealers, reportedly at the end of this month.

[Jeffy]

I hate when they tie the diesel to the luxury group.  That's what they did with the Liberty and we all saw how well that went.  Hopefully they will change that.

[JohnnyO]

They already make a diesel, it just won't pass emissions in the U.S.  I spent two weeks in Italy last year and saw quite a few Wranglers and Cherokees all with diesels.  But then fuel is about $8 a gallon over there so you need all the mpg you can get.

[stan98tj]

Looks like the cheapest you can build it for is $46k. The numbers the diesel puts out look pretty good. It's about freaking time they brought the diesel back for us. I doubt we'll be able to make use of it in our wranglers, probably a ton of electronics that would be impossible to match to our stuff. Current JK owners may be lucky, however.

[VA_YJ]

I grew up on a farm, and the diesels we had didn't have much electronics.  Is this the case for the newer diesels?  If there's not much electronics, it might be easier to retrofit the new diesel into older jeeps.

[Jeffy]

I grew up on a farm, and the diesels we had didn't have much electronics.  Is this the case for the newer diesels?  If there's not much electronics, it might be easier to retrofit the new diesel into older jeeps.

No.  Diesels have evolved which allows them to be more efficient and more reliable.  Basically the same reason gas engines went electronic.

[Mozman68]

Pffft...I'll have a diesel in my Jeep before 2015....

[jfrabat]

Pffft...I'll have a diesel in my Jeep before 2015....

If you send me the money, I can ship you one before 2015...  They sell them here!

[sharpxmen]

If you send me the money, I can ship you one before 2015...  They sell them here!

what engine's in them?

[jfrabat]

what engine's in them?

IIRC, it was a 2.8L CRD engine...

[BoringDave]

Those are some crazy power numbers! To put into perspective, I have a 28' motorhome with a 255 hp efi 460 that puts out 405 ft lbs at 2450rpm. Fully loaded ready to go wheeling it weighs close to 19,000 pounds and gets an amazing 6mpg on a good day.

[sharpxmen]

i saw a Jeep yesterday, i think it was a liberty, it said 3.0L Diesel on the back of it.