Official: 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel

[uzj100]

Has to stay below 45k for a limited 4x4 diesel for it to move off the lots. The early news said limited and above would get the diesel. I think that is a mistake on their part. Should be available in all trim levels to move it off the lot and get the kinks out. The younger set 30 and below are buying these things like hot cakes. I guess the next generation of yuppies. Also, they have to get past the reliability issues. Everyone I mention the gc td to, states they have a friend that has had nothing but problems and with the transmission. A major component.

If they offered a Laredo with 4x4 and diesel for under 40k, I would be really interested. When you get to 45k with all the chrome and add ons, I am way less interested. I am saying the cheapest diesel will be closer to 50k which puts me out of any Chrysler product. ( this could change based on long term tests and real world fuel economy numbers).

The jeep website has the diesel up there. No build it yet. I signed up for emails alerts for the diesel. Ready to see the lowest price this can be purchased for.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

Thanks for the info.

What makes you think the 3.0 won't fit in the Wrangler? My understanding is the firewall and structural changes made in 2012 were to allow for exactly that - shorter engines like inline 4's or V6's or V8's.
What doesn't fit anymore are inline 6's or 8's. Lots of compaines are shoving Hemis in there, so I think the 3.0 would fit.

For anyone as seriously excited by this engine as I am, have a look what the Banks guys are doing with it, making a seriously built version for the military.
http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/1208dp_banks_vm_motori_630t_v6_diesel_engine/

Looks like it will be available to the public.

-Dan

The engine that fits in the Wrangler (2.8L) in its current form DOES NOT meet emission requirements in the United States, because it was developed for the previous requirements in Europe. The Wrangler is not designed to accommodate the 3.0L going into the Grand Cherokee. The Grand Cherokee (in Europe) already had the VM Motori 3.0L diesel under the hood. This means the design work has already been done for this particular engine in that particular car. Its probably more of a case like the 5.7L Hemi - it CAN fit, but Jeep cannot fit it and meet safety standards, packaging requirements, and avoid an expensive redesign. I don't blame Jeep for not doing this on the current Wrangler. If Jeep does not put a diesel in the next Wrangler, it will be on them then. Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of Chrysler Group LLC and Fiat (who owns 50% of VM Motori), said that more diesel engines would be coming. News here: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2013/01/us-to-get-smaller-diesels

The Wrangler possibly could fit the engine under the hood geometrically. I never said it couldn't. However, there are a lot of other factors for accommodating a different engine than the current one for an automaker. What appear to be small changes on an automobile (i.e. moving motor mounts and getting them approved) can be a multi-million dollar process in the end, due to the testing required. Just remember: there are a LOT more factors for accommodating an engine for an original equipment design from the factory than for an automotive shop to add an engine later on.

This doesn't mean that AEV or another shop could not do a 3.0L swap into your Wrangler. I'm just saying Jeep probably cannot do it themselves right now (next generation Wrangler is a different story).

 

[reece146]

Also, they have to get past the reliability issues. Everyone I mention the gc td to, states they have a friend that has had nothing but problems and with the transmission. A major component.

Chryslers with transmission problems? That never happens.

 

[SSF556]

Has to stay below 45k for a limited 4x4 diesel for it to move off the lots. The early news said limited and above would get the diesel. I think that is a mistake on their part. Should be available in all trim levels to move it off the lot and get the kinks out. The younger set 30 and below are buying these things like hot cakes. I guess the next generation of yuppies. Also, they have to get past the reliability issues. Everyone I mention the gc td to, states they have a friend that has had nothing but problems and with the transmission. A major component.

If they offered a Laredo with 4x4 and diesel for under 40k, I would be really interested. When you get to 45k with all the chrome and add ons, I am way less interested. I am saying the cheapest diesel will be closer to 50k which puts me out of any Chrysler product. ( this could change based on long term tests and real world fuel economy numbers).

The jeep website has the diesel up there. No build it yet. I signed up for emails alerts for the diesel. Ready to see the lowest price this can be purchased for.

They did the same exact thing in 2007...Mercedes diesel only available in a Limited or Overland...when it did not sale...in 2008 they put the diesel in the Laredo...which is the model I got.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

They did the same exact thing in 2007...Mercedes diesel only available in a Limited or Overland...when it did not sale...in 2008 they put the diesel in the Laredo...which is the model I got.

Just a thought, seeing as I have very little experience in the car business.

I wonder if they do that to limit the demand of the product. They sold ~153,000 Grand Cherokees last year, and Jeep is projecting the diesel to account for 15% of WK2 sales. So, if sales stayed the same for this year as it did for last, that would be 22,450 diesel equipped Grand Cherokees sold this year. On one of the forums I frequent, they discussed VM possibly exporting 40,000 diesel engines per year to the American market. If you offered the diesel in the Laredo trim (which is the lowest, most common trim), they could (very big could) have an engine supply issue.

 

[Dan Grec]

Just a thought, seeing as I have very little experience in the car business.

I wonder if they do that to limit the demand of the product. They sold ~153,000 Grand Cherokees last year, and Jeep is projecting the diesel to account for 15% of WK2 sales. So, if sales stayed the same for this year as it did for last, that would be 22,450 diesel equipped Grand Cherokees sold this year. On one of the forums I frequent, they discussed VM possibly exporting 40,000 diesel engines per year to the American market. If you offered the diesel in the Laredo trim (which is the lowest, most common trim), they could (very big could) have an engine supply issue.

Interesting idea.
There is a lot of talk about this same engine winding up in the RAM 1500 soon.

GM also have a stake in VM/Motori, so there is a possibility it could show up there too.

Maybe they'll wait a few years until they can import many more engines per year before expanding the lineup.

-Dan

 

[SSF556]

Our tax dollars at work producing an Italian diesel engine........

 

[Metcalf]

The newest version of the 2.8 CRD diesel with DPF would have ALMOST met US regulations. I would bet with just a little tweaking it would have worked. It is a fantastic package for the right application.

What I don't like about new diesel engines is the inability to be used internationally because of fuel quality, especially since this is an 'expedition' travel board.

The new 3.0 diesel is fitting in the same space as the 3.6 V6 ( and Hemi ). I don't think it would be difficult to fit in the current Wrangler chassis. There are always surprises however. The old JK body/chassis could not accept the 3.0 benz diesel without modification to the steering box placement.

I don't really understand the heavy mark up for the diesel engine option? Is it the same way in other countries for the diesel vs gas engine?

 

[uzj100]

Good point on supply and demand and the number of engines.

 

[Dan Grec]

I don't really understand the heavy mark up for the diesel engine option? Is it the same way in other countries for the diesel vs gas engine?

Money is Australia is different, i.e. minimum wage is way higher, but things cost way more, so I don't think it's valuable to look at the actual dollar difference for the diesel, but the % increase from the base price.

In Australia:
GC Larado Auto
V6 -> 3.0 Diesel is a 10% price increase

Wrangler Unlimited Sport Standard
V6 -> 2.8 Diesel is a 15% price increase

So from that, if Jeep in North America tack on 15% to the price you can expect the diesel to be:

Cheapest GC is currently 27,700 + 15% = $31,855

GC Overland is $40,000 + 15% = $46,000

Cheapest Wrangler unlimited is $25,700 + 15% = $29,555

So, yeah, I'd expect the price increase to be around $4k, but I really hope it's a lot less.

-Dan

 

[Dan Grec]

If any doubt remains the decision for a Deisel Wrangler is purely up to Jeep, see this interview with CEO Mike Manley

You've targeted a 15 percent take rate for the Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel. Can you do it–and if you do, can we see more Jeep diesels?

I was reading a bit of the blogs last night and there's been a really good response to the diesels, which is nice. It's difficult to forecast take rates, but I'm confident. We have a good structure: we have the ability to put diesel technology in all of our Jeeps.It gives us the ability to bring more diesel into the range if we see fit.

With the Grand Cherokee, we're going to get it in the market and see what happens. But the initial reaction and feedback were good.

A Wrangler Diesel? Please?

It's a potentially good idea. There's certainly a lot of interest in a Wrangler diesel. But it's more likely we'd put one in the next generation. If the Grand Cherokee diesel is successful–and it will be successful–it'll raise the question of “what next?”


From http://rumors.automobilemag.com/jeep-ceo-favors-wrangler-based-pickup-197093.html#axzz2IMtuZr9w

-Dan

EDIT: Read the whole thing where Mike talks about a Wrangler pickup still being a possibility, though not before the next model.

 

[reece146]

So basically, no Wrangler diesel until the vehicle needs to be redesigned. No point in sitting on the fence waiting if you need a vehicle now.

 

[Dan Grec]

So basically, no Wrangler diesel until the vehicle needs to be redesigned. No point in sitting on the fence waiting if you need a vehicle now.

Seems it. Most people agree the re-design will be the 2017 model year, so we'll see it around mid 2016.
Still a ways out.

-Dan

 

[haven]

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f73/2014-grand-cherokee-ordering-information-and-pricing-52937.html

A web forum called Jeep Garage has posted "official" prices for the Grand Cherokee. The 3.0L VM Motori diesel engine is listed as a $4500 option. The diesel is not available on the entry-level Laredo, but is on the Limited trim. The Limited 4x4 starts at $38,000. So a diesel Limited with the Off Road Adventure option and UConnect nav system will probably cost $45,000. Not a bargain, but thousands cheaper than the VW Touareg, Audi and Mercedes diesel SUVs.

 

[jerdog53]

Hopefully this power plant crosses over to the Wrangler and catches on. I would love to see more diesel options.

yes now if we can only get one in a JK...