The Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel powered into the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, but only for Europe and other non-U.S. markets.

The 241 horsepower, 406 pound-foot V-6 turbodiesel it featured was a tantalizing prospect, and now, finally, the U.S. will get its taste of the torquey and fuel efficient Jeep oil-burner.

Chrysler, Jeep’s parent company, announced this week that it is hiring 1,100 new staff at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit to help expand the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup to include a diesel version for the U.S. market.

Unfortunately, there’s been no mention of which engine will appear in the U.S.-spec Grand Cherokee Diesel. The most likely option would be to simply carry over the V-6 unit offered overseas.

When mated to a five-speed automatic and delivering its peak of 406 horsepower, this 3.0-liter turbodiesel in the Grand Cherokee returns about 28.4 mpg on the slightly less conservative European combined cycle and is good for 0-60 mph acceleration of around 8 seconds.

A less powerful version of this engine rated at 190 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque is also offered overseas, though it doesn’t provide any fuel efficiency gains.

Having driven and enjoyed the previous-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 CRD engine, we're looking forward to the improvements in the new 2013 Grand Cherokee Diesel. A trail-rated, tow-ready, fuel economy powerhouse of an SUV? Sounds like a good formula to us.

Diesel fans will be brimming with joy this week as Porsche has also just announced that it will start sales of its Cayenne Diesel in the U.S. this year.