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Diesel Grand Cherokee Coming to US!

29K views 139 replies 52 participants last post by  mpatel1080 
#1 ·
Faced with ever-stricter fuel-economy regulations, Chrysler Group will launch diesel-powered and hybrid vehicles in the U.S. market. According to Automotive News, Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne believes diesels and hybrids are the only way for his company to meet future Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules. Marchionne revealed that Chrysler will launch a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2013. Thereafter, many larger Chrysler vehicles will be offered with diesels in the U.S. Chrysler has said that by 2014, diesels would account for 14 percent of its global sales, compared to 8 percent in 2009.

:cool:
I don't understand what the US's issue is with diesel today, but it's apparently becoming a bit more "acceptable" seeing this headline!
 
#2 ·
people in the US see them as stinky, rattling vehicles...when thats not exactly true with new diesels. Diesel is more expensive than gas though....mayeb that has something to do with it also?
 
#3 ·
The small increase in per gallon cost should offset by the increased MPG, but I think the Old Stinky VW and Mercedes Diesels have spoiled the opinion of the diesel in the US.
At least, that's what I think of. :rolleyes:
 
#4 ·
The small increase in per gallon cost should offset by the increased MPG, but I think the Old Stinky VW and Mercedes Diesels have spoiled the opinion of the diesel in the US.
At least, that's what I think of. :rolleyes:
that small increase is 50 cents more per gallon than regular where I am at. That's a big difference added to the initial price increase from a diesel.

It would take a lot to swing me from gas to diesel. My brothers new f250 is a diesel. It is just as quiet as a gas motor, doesn't smell any more than a gas one, and drives pretty much the same. It's simply a cost issue. If manufacturers can get the price lower than the gas motors (to offset the higher fuel price) I would consider one.
 
#10 · (Edited)
Per Autoblog:
EPA numbers would need to be run certainly, but by our conversion, the 3.0 CRD should be capable of 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. That's a far cry from the 16/22 mpg estimated from Chrysler's new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine with the 4x4 setup
Per WK2 Jeeps site = 8.3l/100km or 28.3 combined MPG.

that small increase is 50 cents more per gallon than regular where I am at. That's a big difference added to the initial price increase from a diesel.
It's simply a cost issue. If manufacturers can get the price lower than the gas motors (to offset the higher fuel price) I would consider one.
Your fuel vs Gas price is drastic and not common.
http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_m.htm
The site above shows the national average is just about 30 cents difference for regular across the last 6 months, with it dipping into the .14 cent difference in May.


As for the difference in cost, since your getting equivalent or close to equivalent performance of the Hemi, (406 lb-ft vs 390 lb-ft for hemi) the price difference can be much if any at all, as Mendo pointed out above.

Even at only a 10 mpg savings for the diesel and similar cost vs the hemi,
I'd have to say the savings is there immediately.
The Hemi list price as an option is $1,495 list and $1,331 invoice.

Here are some calculations with the Diesel, the PentaStar and the Hemi.

100 gallons Diesel = $3.80/gal (current DOE average) = $380
100 gallons diesel = 2800 miles
Cost per mile = .14
50,000 miles = $7,000

100 gallons gas = $3.48/gal (current DOE average) = $348
100 gallons Gas = 1900 miles for V6 and 1500 miles for Hemi
V6 Cost per mile = .18
50,000 miles = $9,000
V8 Cost per mile = .23
50,000 miles = $11,500


$2,000 difference from the pentastar and $4,500 from the Hemi in 3 or 4 years depending on how much you drive should be something to consider.
 
#9 ·
I would get diesel instead of gasoline one, modern diesels are not stinky nor noisy. People in America should travel sometimes and see what people driving these days all over planet Earth. Just got back from London where 80% of cars are with diesels. All from small smart like to taxi cabs.
 
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#11 ·
You also need to consider that the CRD is lighter than the other motors, and is as fast as a stock Hemi. It will also tow the same as a Hemi.
The motor is brilliant and I have not regretted it.
 
#12 ·
Hey Enforcer, what kind of price difference was there in Australia when you bought it?

Problem in my area is Diesel is about $.10 more a gallon than premium, which is $.30-$.50 more than regular. I saw a station yesterday where regular was $3.39 and diesel was $4.09, so $.70 a gallon more. The reason for that is lack of demand, a station puts in a pump and incurs the cost of delivery when it sells slowly. If diesel was more commonly used the cost would come down.

When you factor in the $1,500 or so I bet the diesel will cost, that $2,000 difference between the Diesel and the Pentastar becomes $500, which is within the margin of error in a big way.

Now, you get benefits with the Diesel, better performance, better towing...but if its more than $1500 or so more...
 
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#13 ·
I would trade for the diesel right now, the fuel efficiency and don't forget most diesels have a longer life than gasoline engines. Sign me up.
 
#14 ·
and don't forget most diesels have a longer life than gasoline engines.
Yeah but nowadays we're talking about 700,000 instead of 500,000 miles.

With proper maintenance an engine should outlast everything else on the vehicle.

I too might have bought the diesel had it been available...but like I said the real question will be how much it costs.
 
#17 ·
I get a new car every few years or so and never more than 80K miles. I could care less if a diesel will go 11ty billion more miles than a gasser. I will never know/care.[/QUOTE]

OK? Then why are you posting on this topic if you don't care?
 
#21 ·
here is another thing to think about: range

I am about to take my wk2 offroading for the first time this weekend. It would be nice to have longer legs...

I probably would have gotten the diesel if it was available. In fact, if the LR4 had a diesel (in the US), I might have bought a different car....i actually even looked at the toureg (very briefly, more curiosity than anything else), because of their TDI engine.

Anyways, the Hemi seems great, as long as i don't look at the mpg display! Just put on new shoes (dumped the Michellin Tours), we will see how she handles this weekend.

Cheers,

Chris
 
#24 ·
Clean diesels now put out less carbon monoxide and overall less pollution than gas engines.
Again, here in Canada, diesel SUVs out sell their gas equivalent models; and diesel is cheaper than 87 octane and readily available.
 
#25 ·
Longer life on new diesels is a myth. With the added emmissions constraints on modern engines, they are actually wearing out quicker. True diesel engines are designed to run hot and dirty (i.e why some old Jimmy 6/71's from the 50's are still going strong), something new "clean" engines cannot do.
 
#27 ·
Question: Is the fuel tank in the diesel WK2 going to be the same size?

I assume so. This being the case...... 1 tank of fuel = over 750 miles range! (highway)

Jackpot.

Oh yeah.... plus power and torque

plus long life engines.

plus

plus

wait, what am I forgetting?

initial cost?

we shall see....

I'd buy one.
 
#30 ·
Ah, are they known for making good engines? Cummins should put on in the jeep! Lol

AND about fuel prices, most of us with performance parts use premium which lowers the difference in the fuel anyway! Premium is usually $.30 more than regular(on a good day)

The extra cost is well worth the durability, range, and power. And it's a diesel. :D


Do the jeeps having a problem starting in the cold like diesel trucks? (silly question, I'm sure)
 
#32 ·
The CRD is the same price as the Hemi, which is $5000 more than the v6.
The range would be around 700mi on a tank, as you should get 25-32mpg with the CRD.
It ticks all the boxes as it is lighter than a Hemi, as fast and more fuel/environmentally efficient.
I think once people get over the misconceptions over this fuel, they will embrace it. Just wait until gas guzzler tax come in and all petrol powered vehicles get taxed.
 
#33 ·
I think once people get over the misconceptions over this fuel, they will embrace it. Just wait until gas guzzler tax come in and all petrol powered vehicles get taxed.

There are no misconceptions mate. Diesel is diesel and will always be diesel. It just doesn't compare to gasoline cars and never will. As for power. You'll have a great torque, I'll give you that. But the ponys usually kick in at a very limited RPM range, and just as they came.....they left.

If you are a farmer or just wanna save a few bucks(remember that diesel engines also have a much higher maintenance cost). Then get the diesel.
If you enjoy driving and like cars in general. Get a gasoline engine.
 
#38 ·
things have changed a lot in the past 10 years. you used to be able to take your diesel truck to the drag strip on the weekend, blow away a few ricers or cheap muscle cars, and then get 23 mpg hauling your holiday trailer the next week, with 250,000+ kms on the odometer. now, with all the emissions control garbage, you can barely get a tuner or an exhaust for the new trucks. granted they are more powerful to start with, but for a couple thousand, you used to be able to add a couple hundred hp and lose a lot of tire tread very easily. i used to be a diesel fanatic and now i don't really care anymore. but it would be nice to see a solid diesel engine in a jeep. i think people would buy it. definitely in Canada anyways. and come on, the sound of a turbo diesel winding up is a beautiful symphony. that alone makes me miss my truck. :)
 
#40 ·
I just wanted to add my experience with my 2008 3.0 CRD Grand Cherokee. This has the Merc diesel not the new Fiat diesel. I just finished a Chi to LA 5500 mile trip mostly in Eastern Sierra area Death Valley, Mono Lake & Yosemite.

I averaged about 19 mpg the fuel cost ranges from about $4.50 to $5.69. It always starts & runs great, even in sub zero weather or over 100 degrees, & from over 14,000 feet or-275 feet.
I really like my diesel but very few others did. They stop selling them in US because no one bought it.

While I do like it I am not sure I would purchase another.
I have about 115,000 miles on it and nothing major has gone wrong yet, but I am concerned if/when it will.
If something had happened on my trip where would I get repaired & who has parts at what cost? Anyone can work on & get parts for the Hemi not true for this diesel, maybe the new one will be different?
Another problem I have is, diesel fuel is messy, pumps and the cement around them are oily, it gets on my shoes sometimes on my cloths. When traveling this really sucks because you cannot get rid of the smell.
 
#41 ·
^^^^^I would consider a diesel Overland for my wife if it can get in the lower 30's MPG...but the above statement is one of the reasons I wouldnt. My wife is a regional President, wears $500 shoes and cant smell like diesel.....LOL
 
#42 ·
I was under the impression the past CRD and the current/future CRD are both manufactured by VM Motori. VM's diesels have had past issues and possibly future issues.
 
#43 · (Edited)
I have not had any problems with filling up with fuel. While I agree that Diesel is a messy fuel, modern pumps in good gas stations should not cause problems.
i0r15's statements about Diesel are wrong. Audi is demonstrating what modern Diesel motors can do. I do not consider a JGC as a sports car and putting in the same class as a R8 is just silly.

Diesel is designed to run in big heavy vehicles, as their torque gets they lard asses moving. Diesel will also give you more consistent MPG, as opposed to gasoline that will vary by huge amounts, all based on your right foot.
I am not saying that Diesel is better than gasoline in the Jeep, only that it is a very good choice. I think once people try them out, they will find the motor is well suited to the intended application.
This is my first Diesel vehicle, but it will not be my last. I have realised that I was critical of diesel for the same reasons people have stated above, but my mind has been changed for the better.
I hope Jeep sell more CRD's this time round in Nth america.
 
#47 ·
I have not had any problems with filling up with fuel. While I agree that Diesel is a messy fuel, modern pumps in good gas stations should not cause problems.
i0r15's statements about Diesel are wrong. Audi is demonstrating what modern Diesel motors can do. I do not consider a JGC as a sports car and putting in the same class as a R8 is just silly.
If you read before you post you would see that Red G8R made a comparisson to Audi's Le Mans racer. That's silly.

Modern diesel or not. It will never have the same feel as a gasoline engine.
I concider the Jeep beeing such a modern and versatile vehicle that diesel makes it a perfect torque utility vehicle. And it's V8 versions makes it a performance SUV. The choice is yours.
I have the small discontinued V8(4.7). But performance wise I would spank the CRD any time. Getting 0-60 just below 7 seconds with the only few mods I've made.

My point still stands. If you need something slightly more economical, fuel economy or for it's towing capability. Diesel is the way to go.
But diesel will never be made into performance vehicles. Only in Le Mans you will see that.
 
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