2011 Jeeps get new diesels -- in Europe

[haven]

Chrysler has announced two new diesel powerplants for Jeeps sold outside North America.

The first is an updated version of the VM Motori 2.8L 4 cylinder turbodiesel. The Euro 5 emissions standard goes into effect in January 2011, so the engine received a makeover. Improved higher pressure fuel injection, different exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter all help meet the new emissions standard. No mention was made of urea injection. This engine is used in the Wrangler and Liberty, which is called the Cherokee in Europe, and the new Grand Cherokee.

Incidentally, VM Motori was bought by Detroit Diesel in the 1990s, became part of Daimler-Chrysler, and later was sold to the Penske Group. Penske sold 50% of the company to General Motors in 2007.

The new 2.8L engine with automatic transmission is tuned to produce more torque than last year's model. The manual transmission model has 302 ft-lbs, the automatic 337 ft-lbs of torque. Despite the power boost, fuel economy is up 13%, according to Chrysler.

Wranglers with manual transmission receive a new automatic engine stop/start system that reduces emissions in city driving. (The system can be switched off by the driver.)

The Jeep Compass and Patriot models receive a new 2.2L four cylinder turbodiesel that produces 35 mpg (US) on the European combined test. I believe this engine is produced by Mercedes, and also used in the Mercedes GLK compact SUV.

Read the press release here
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/diesel-powered-jeep-wrangler-with-start-stop-unveiled-for-europe

 

[wipeout]

How much different are the euro emission standards than ours? If they have the same requirements, than there should be no reason to not put a diesel engine into a US vehicle. Unless of course they just don't listen to their customers...

 

[Black Dog]

I don't think it is so much the emissions as it is something else. If it were that then we wouldn't see diesel F350s and TDI Jettas on the roads. When are they going to figure out that WE WANT DIESEL IN THE STATES?!?!

 

[dockrat14]

Emissons in Europe are way more strict than ours. But lets just be hopeful and say that they are testing the motor on them and we will see it in 2012!

 

[x32792]

I'd be happy to see a new PentaStar in the 2011 Wrangler instead of that gutless 3.8L.

 

[86cj]

With 337 lb of torque I don't care what it burns. That is what a stock 350 Chevy put out back in the 4 barrel carb days, I'll take a Wrangler with one.

I have a 2004 LJ with a 4.0 6cyl and a 2000 ZR-2 blazer 4.3 6cyl, both have plenty of power at low speeds for me. My want for a V-8 always happens at 65-70 on the highway, both are frustrating trying to hold speed on the slightest grade or wind. I would give the new diesel a try.

 

[bajajoaquin]

How much different are the euro emission standards than ours? If they have the same requirements, than there should be no reason to not put a diesel engine into a US vehicle. Unless of course they just don't listen to their customers...

It's not so much the ability to pass our emissions tests, as the willingness to jump through the hoops.

The cost of certifying a drivetrain to be EPA compliant is extremely high. I'm not real clear on the details, but you'd have to do a separate certification with each transmission option, as well as each engine option. You can run well into 7 figures for each.

I read somewhere that diesels are about 5% of the US light truck market, which includes models designed for towing and hauling. I'd guess that Jeep would expect to sell fewer than that in a more consumer-oriented product.

What's the expected sales volume? 80,000 units? 5% of that would be 4000. Pulling numbers out of the air, if it cost $4,000,000 to certify an engine, it would add $1000 to the cost of each vehicle, on top of the existing diesel premium. Two transmission options (auto and manual) would double that. I'd be surprised if you could certify a new engine for $4mil.

How much would the diesel premium be? That's going to be the question. Because of our tax structure (diesel gets taxed higher to pay for over-the-road truck use) and more-limited consumer availability, the US isn't as diesel-friendly as Europe, where it's been embraced for decades.

I'd love to see it happen, though. I don't really want a Jeep, but if it were successful, it might lead to smaller diesels being available in pickups, which would interest me.

 

[oO_Rogue_Oo]

I read somewhere that the diesel premium would be about $6k. Jeep just doesn't think the take rate would justify offering it here

 

[Strizzo]

Emissons in Europe are way more strict than ours. But lets just be hopeful and say that they are testing the motor on them and we will see it in 2012!

GAS emissions might be more strict in europe than in the US, but in the US, all vehicles must meet the same emissions requirements. this means that diesels have to meet the same requirements as gas engines, while in europe there are separate standards for gas and diesel vehicles. this and the extra cost of a diesel powered vehicle over gas combine to make diesel power not as attractive to companies for producing diesel vehicles for US consumption.

the only companies that produce passenger car diesels for the US, do so because they either already meet the US standards, or they have carved themselves a niche with diesel buyers, like VW has with its TDI bug, jetta, and passat

 

[haven]

Here are a few reasons why diesel engine vehicles are not sold in USA.

In Europe, diesel fuel is not taxed as much as gasoline. While prices vary from country to country, you'll pay about a dollar a gallon more for gasoline than for diesel. That creates a big incentive among the buying public for diesel cars. Diesel is seen as a frugal alternative, and diesel vehicles in Europe are often priced below the comparable gas engine models.

In contrast, diesel costs 20 to 35 cents more per gallon in USA, according to government statistics. http://www.eia.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

In USA, car companies charge a premium for diesel engines. For example, in 2005, the Jeep Liberty 2.8L diesel option cost $1500 extra, and you had to buy the $800 automatic transmission, too. VW charges about $4500 extra for the TDI diesel, compared to similarly equipped gas engine models.

The price premium and high fuel costs make people think twice about buying a diesel.

The car companies and the buying public still remember the big run-up in diesel fuel prices in 2008. Diesel fuel prices went up more than gasoline did. Sales of diesel vehicles, including diesel trucks, simply stopped. The car companies can't afford a similar problem in 2011.

Maybe most important, the new direct injected turbo gas engines are starting to appear. They produce diesel-like torque, cost less to manufacture, and, in USA at least, run on less expensive gasoline. Ford's Ecoboost V6, with more than 390 ft lbs of torque from 1700 to 5000 rpm, costs $1750 more than the standard V6. That's a lot less than a comparable gas V8 or diesel with similar performance would cost.

 

[Root Moose]

When compression ignited, direct injected GAS engines appear diesel engines will disappear altogether.

 

[ATEurope]

Here are a few reasons why diesel engine vehicles are not sold in USA.

In Europe, diesel fuel is not taxed as much as gasoline. While prices vary from country to country, you'll pay about a dollar a gallon more for gasoline than for diesel. That creates a big incentive among the buying public for diesel cars. Diesel is seen as a frugal alternative, and diesel vehicles in Europe are often priced below the comparable gas engine models.

In contrast, diesel costs 20 to 35 cents more per gallon in USA, according to government statistics. http://www.eia.gov/oog/info/gdu/gasdiesel.asp

In USA, car companies charge a premium for diesel engines. For example, in 2005, the Jeep Liberty 2.8L diesel option cost $1500 extra, and you had to buy the $800 automatic transmission, too. VW charges about $4500 extra for the TDI diesel, compared to similarly equipped gas engine models.

The price premium and high fuel costs make people think twice about buying a diesel.QUOTE]

This may have been true several years ago but these days, a diesel version of any model here in Europe will cost more than the gas version and diesel prices per gal/litre are now more than gasoline!

The huge irony of us getting diesel Jeeps in Europe is no one buys them! Wrangler diesel's sit gathering dust over here on dealer forecourts!

 

[UK4X4]

Diesel comes from lower on the fractionating tower, its cheaper to produce than gasoline.

why don't diesel wranglers sell in europe...........30mpg is half what the rest of the diesels do MPG wise

45-60mpg is pretty normal on a diesel saloon, hatchback or caravan

also we don't have 100'miles of 4x4 trails....and public lands to explore
most of our bridle ways and trails are bike, moto and horse limited.

so given the choice of an audi diesel estate and a jeep at 1/2 the mpg............the audi wins

insert here peuguet, renault, BMW, Ford,Citroen etc etc.....

The cost of gasoline and diesel in europe is huge compared to the US........there is no way I could run my Patrol in europe........the cost would be ridiculus

 

[FreeManDan]

Dang obama motors wont get me a diesel wrangler!?

 

[XXXpedition]

When are they going to figure out that WE WANT DIESEL IN THE STATES?!?!

i'm sure, if you speak to people on this board, you're right. go out in the streets and ask people, it's a different story.... most will say: "no way!" they still think of old semi truck engines...
i'm afraid that most people in the states wouldn't buy a diesel, especially if the sales tag is quite a bit higher.
my jeep was 3 grand more just for the diesel, although there are many cars (in europe) where diesel-vehicles are hardly any more expensive than gas ones...

but as far as i know almost 90% of sold cars are diesel in europe.
that makes a difference too.