2013 Audi A3

Official: Jeep Grand Cherokee To Get New Diesel At Geneva Motor Show

 
3 3,887 views Feb 21, 2011
Follow Nelson

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is no stranger to diesel power, though the last we saw it here in the U.S. was in 2008. Unlike the previous Daimler-sourced unit, the next diesel in the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be built by VM Motori. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we'll be getting it here in the U.S. this time.

Chrysler today officially announced the Jeep Grand Cherokee will get its diesel addition at the Geneva Motor Show in just over a week. It's not the first time Jeep has sourced an engine from the company: the 1999-2001 Grand Cherokee used an inline five-cylinder diesel from VM Motori in some foreign markets, and other Jeep vehicles have used VM Motori mills over the years as well.

Rated at 241 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, the new engine gains 10 percent more power and 8 percent more torque than the previous Grand Cherokee diesel, and it manages a combined European rating of 28.3 mpg.

Whether this engine will make it to the U.S. at any point in the future--right now it's only for "Europe and other diesel markets"--remains to be seen. Here's hoping it does, as the last Grand Cherokee CRD was a fun, efficient machine. It would fare even better in the vastly improved garb of the latest WK2-generation vehicle. With Chrysler's new Italian connection through Fiat, the choice of VM Motori for the next Grand Cherokee diesel makes sense again; VM Motori is based in Cento, Italy, not far from the homes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati. Earlier this month, Fiat Powertrain Technologies purchased a 50 percent stake in the company. The other half is owned by General Motors.


Hit page two for all the tech specs you can stand.






Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (3)

  1. By JKD Posted: 2/21/2011 12:22pm PST

    2005 and 2006 Jeep Liberty was available with the Motori diesel engine in the US. It was a piece of crap... Tech changes obviously but Motori has nothing on Daimler diesels.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By NoNameDenton Posted: 2/21/2011 7:16pm PST

    JKD that is not true, this new diesel is more powerful and fuel efficient then the Daimler diesel. Anyways it is too bad it will not be in America, I have seen its stats, looks great, maybe they will bring it if the Chevy Cruze diesel in the USA does well and put it in the upcoming Jeep pick up.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Mr. D Posted: 2/22/2011 2:22pm PST

    The problem with the VM Motori diesel engine in the Liberty was that it was old tech and therefore not very fuel efficient or peppy for a diesel powerplant. The new Grand Cherokee and the Chysler 300 could have both had the Bluetec Daimler diesel, but Chrysler took court action to get out of its engine supply agreement with Daimler. It was successful in doing so with the agreement for Fiat to take operating control from Cerebus. Unless Fiat intends to supply a diesel for the US market, this was a dumb decision by Chrysler since the Daimler engine is already certified. These two cars deserve a more fuel efficient alternative to the current gas engines that they are offering. Such decisions are one part of why Chrysler was in the shape that it was in anyway. The other reasons are the bad marriage with Daimler and the rape and pillaging by Cerebus. For instance, there is no reason why the Mercedes B Class and its sweet diesel engines should not have been the replacement or basis for the Neon, new based PT Cruiser, and Mitsu Galant or Lancer based Dodge Caliber and Avenger, and Chrysler Sebring/200. Snooty Mercedes didn't want to bring the B Class to the US anyway in its quest to pick peoples pockets. So, come on Fiat, certify a twin turbo four cylinder engine for these two vehicles for sale in the US market.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!

More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.