Chrysler announced today a diesel version of the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The truck is equipped with a 215 hp 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel engine and will arrive in showrooms during the first quarter of 2007. The SUV gets a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy, giving it an estimated driving range of 425 miles. Details and images after the jump…
“DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U.S. market,â€? said Craig Love, Vice President — Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range.â€?
The new 3.0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs.), and class-leading driving range of approximately 425 miles. And, clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The 3.0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models.
“The 3.0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance,â€? said Bob Lee, Vice President — Power Train Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems.â€?
Chrysler Group was the first automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a mid-size, diesel-powered SUV, the 2005 Jeep Liberty with a 2.8-liter CRD engine. Based on consumer response, the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty exceeded the company’s expectations. More than 11,000 diesel-powered Jeep Liberty vehicles have been sold since production began. The Jeep Liberty diesel continues to be a strong seller, as consumers realize the benefits of diesel technology.
The Jeep brand also announced earlier in the year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.
More than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).
The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3.0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
06/01, 10:35 AM
posted by:
British_Rover
Sounds good but I would expect better then 19/23 from a midsized diesel in a midsized SUV
06/01, 10:55 AM
posted by:
Mike
hell yeah! Bluetec!!!!
06/01, 10:58 AM
posted by:
Adam
A really good step, but I am disapointed with those fuel economy numbers. I agree with number 1.
06/01, 11:12 AM
posted by:
Patrick
I thought there were sticter emissions regulations coming out in 2007 that would pretty much eliminate the current diesels from the U.S. market because though diesels get better mileage, they also happen to produce more emissions than your normal internal combustion engine. So what’s up with this?
06/01, 11:28 AM
posted by:
RangeRoverBoy
Send it to: American Expedition Vehicles first to make what Jeep shold have in the first place. Then drive it until the IFS comes off and replace the with a solid front axle.
http://www.aev-conversions.com/Gallery/P1011043.jpg
Good job on the Diesel! The torque should be nice if geared properly.
If everyone else wants better gas mileage get a VW tdi before they are gone.
06/01, 11:31 AM
posted by:
Mike
http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/01/08/detroit-2006-bluetec-grand-cherokee-gl-class-e-class/
06/01, 11:58 AM
posted by:
Mike
The new 3.0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway.
376tq at 1600rpm…. damn.
06/01, 12:05 PM
posted by:
mookie
The new emissions regulations do not apply to trucks, but I think this Jeep has the Bluetec and thus would meet those standards. VW will stop selling all diesels except their Toureg in 07.
06/01, 12:43 PM
posted by:
stick
The new emissions regulations are also why the fuel economy numbers are not as high as you would expect. This will be true of all diesel engines sold in 2007 unless there is a major engine redesign.
06/01, 12:50 PM
posted by:
MuuMuu
Doesn’t matter what engine it has it still looks like that and Jeeps have terrible interiors. Save up and get an ML350 or 500, or go to europe and get an ML 320 CDi
06/01, 1:03 PM
posted by:
joeb
Dear Jeep,
Thanks for saying yes to diesels but how about a little less HP and a little more mileage/gallon? And while your at it how about making a small pickup with a diesel?
Your pal,
An American who buys other country’s vehicles cause US car companies still can’t seem to get a clue when it comes to efficiency.
06/01, 1:04 PM
posted by:
Phil McCrackin
A 30% improvement is pretty good, you have to admit. It went from “MPG at the bottom of the crapper” to “decent-but-not-stellar-MPG”.
06/01, 1:42 PM
posted by:
Pruce
“If everyone else wants better gas mileage get a VW tdi before they are gone.”
Hey! That’s what I did! haha it’s definetly the way to go now. It sucks that they have to stop making them. Stupid reasoning for it too.
06/01, 3:20 PM
posted by:
Tony
“A really good step, but I am disapointed with those fuel economy numbers. I agree with number 1.”
Don’t worry about the numbers, my Jetta is rated at 36/41. I HAVE NEVER gotten those numbers. My WORST tank was 42.1 mpg. Best 50.0mpg. Average for 17K miles is 45 mpg.
06/01, 6:29 PM
posted by:
Onur
Finally!! This engine was available in Europe for months. Actually, only this and 5.7 Hemi is available in most of Europe.
http://www.jeep.co.uk/jeep/vehicle.aspx?ID=272,18,,
06/01, 9:38 PM
posted by:
Ryan
Even ford super duty’s get this kind of mileage. I know a guy who is getting 21mpg with his 06 F-350. The Touareg diesel pushes out oodles more power from a V10 diesel, and still manages something like 17/23 for mileage. and thats with 4 more cylinders and gobs more power. Mercedes could do a little better on both ends in my opinion..
06/01, 9:42 PM
posted by:
Ryan
And screw the diesel emission standards. All existing diesels should at least be grandfathered by the rule, and future diesels should be the ones who have to conform to the emissions. They really ought to loosen up on cars and push for the emissions in 18 wheelers and large trucks like that, rather than personal vehicles. Theres got to be 1000 times more Kenworths on the road than diesel passenger vehicles today. Hell, there are more models of big rigs offered than there are all the diesel models in the US today. Give me a break.. i want a diesel.
06/02, 10:21 AM
posted by:
stick
If you can find me a F-350 that gets 21mpg let me know and I’ll buy one right now. Never heard of one getting anywhere close to that. They already have pushed for better emissions standards in 2007 for 18 wheelers. Drive out to the nearest International or Kenworth dealer and you’ll find they are stocked up on 2006 models because the fuel mileage is expected to drop considerably on the 2007 models
06/02, 10:31 AM
posted by:
Mike
that makes sense. Regulate the backbone of our comercial transportation industry to the point that fewer greenhouse gasses are emitted, but the trucks use far more fuel. The cost of the added fuel consumption is passed on to the consumers, uses MORE fossil fuels… not much upside.
Our government needs to stop throwing good $ after bad. Increase the subsidies on new engine technology. Let Lockheed and Martin Marietta and Boing and etc. get into the mainstream automotive engine market.
06/05, 8:43 PM
posted by:
Ford
18: a friend gets 17 in his excursion which has the power stroke in it. He also pulls a trailer with 5 tool boxes on them daily.
06/06, 10:25 AM
posted by:
Damanism » Jeep Grand Cherokee available with Common Rail Diesel in 2007
[...] Thanks to Left Lane News for this piece on the 3.0 Liter CRD engine that will be available on all 2007 Grand Cherokee models. Offering almost 400 lbs of torque and 23 mpg on the highway, this will be a great combination for biodiesel users who also want to tow and have various off-road fun. More here…. [...]