While Chrysler’s Jeep brand is one of the few marques to offer a diesel option in the U.S. — the last generation Liberty was available with an oil burner, as is the current Grand Cherokee — the Jeep Wrangler has never been offered with a diesel option. But for those who crave a diesel option in the Wrangler for low-RPM torque, the wait is almost over. Sort of.
According to 4Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine, Jeep Performance — a division of Mopar — will soon begin offering a diesel engine swap kit for the Jeep Wrangler. The kit will reportedly use the same four-cylinder 2.8L unit that was used in the Liberty CRD — which was rated at 160 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque — and will come with its own wiring kit.
In addition to more oomph down low, the 2.8L diesel unit also promises increased fuel economy — in the Liberty CRD it returned 21/26 mpg city/highway.
If the kit proves popular enough, it’s possible that Jeep could offer a diesel-power Wrangler right off the showroom floor in the coming years.
03/13, 4:30 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Jeep has a performance branch? I never would have guessed.
03/13, 4:39 PM
posted by:
WOOKIE62
Thats because people that wear to many gold chains are not allowed!
03/13, 4:43 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
If a division of Mopar can offer this, why can’t Jeep? Anyone understand that?
03/13, 4:49 PM
posted by:
RicardoHead
By the way, although I like diesels, this morning’s gas/diesel price at the pump for me was 3.14 for unleaded and 3.89 for diesel, so the diesel would have to pull 25% better mileage just to break even at the pump, and that is before factoring in the cost to opt for a diesel to begin with. Factoring that you’d need probably more like 40% better mileage to break even, but since nobody does anything to break even you’d want at least 50% better mileage in the real world. Becomes tough at those numbers, especially when my 5.4 liter F150 gets better than 21mpg.
03/13, 5:32 PM
posted by:
Bobzooki
I thought Mahindra was going to buy Jeep from Chrsler when it dies
03/13, 5:34 PM
posted by:
RamRod003
Hey LP do you know what is quicker to 60 and in the 1/4 and around a track than a Cayenne Turbo S at 1/3 the price. Thats right a Jeep.
03/13, 6:20 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
I get what your saying ricardohead…
ramrod003- And better looking with better mileage and trail rated at the same time…
03/13, 6:24 PM
posted by:
RamRod003
LP its weird how you know how George Michael is in bed.
03/13, 6:30 PM
posted by:
RamRod003
Oh yeah, I also like how you just go right to attacking someone rather than argue the fact that you are wrong.
03/13, 7:00 PM
posted by:
Brendino
Haha, nice, RamRod. It’s true, that Jeep SRT8 is an incredible machine…on paper anyways. Can’t argue with the numbers though
03/13, 7:04 PM
posted by:
AxeHead
No matter what you do to it, it’s still a Chrysler product and prone to reliability issues - not for me.
03/13, 7:23 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
yeah good point RamRod003, Good one too! Yeah diesel is $4.19 where I live and I just paid $3.69 for premium and filled my car. As long as diesel is more expensive then premium all you diesel lovers can have your more expensive gas.
It’s kinda stupid though that they are actually offerring an actual engine swap, why don’t they just offer it as an available option? I’m sure that engine is going to at least cost $2500 if not more.
03/13, 7:38 PM
posted by:
SS4LIFE
ok I just re-read the last sentence of LLN’s article. I guess this would be a good way to see if the demand is high enough for them to actually consider making it an option.
03/13, 9:09 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Interesting way of going about things. Deanster has frequently expressed displeasure with his Wrangler’s fuel economy. Wonder if he’d be interested.
03/13, 9:49 PM
posted by:
kool_aje
Come on, i thought it will be around 30 in the city and 37 for highway….
03/13, 11:29 PM
posted by:
A4
wow jeep actually heard someone… give me one
03/14, 7:08 AM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
Only engine that would be good here is a GM LS V8.
03/14, 8:14 AM
posted by:
1c3d0g
RicardoHead: I was thinking the same thing. Looks like someone at Jeep needs their head examined for possible brain damage.
DeansterTJ: lol!
03/14, 9:18 AM
posted by:
Z06ified
I think its a no-brainer to offer a diesel for the Wrangler. Diesels are awesome off-road because of their huge low end torque, which is great for rock crawling and major offroading. I’m surprised they never did it before.
The current price difference between diesel and gas is very unusual and will not last.
03/14, 9:56 AM
posted by:
LBNA
I have a Wrangler myself, and yes, mpg is horrible, we all know that.
Before buying the car I was doing a lot of research and I think in other countries they actually had diesel Wrangler models. I was about to cry at how stupid chrysler was for not having those models here. Either way, I’d like to see some customer reviews after this comes out, see what they think of power, mpg, etc.
03/14, 10:10 AM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
why does LLN not remove this LargePeckerHead640? He or she only like German cars but gets on every available domestic website. Stupid ass little kid.
03/14, 10:49 AM
posted by:
SwerveEarly
They cant sell this motor direct does not meet new smog std. The Wrangler character/purpose is perfect fit for Diesel
03/14, 3:39 PM
posted by:
bigp
why would they take so long to bring the new engine
03/14, 7:30 PM
posted by:
Mach
No comments on the “beer” typo?
Common guys!