A Diesel for the Grand Cherokee

By CHERYL JENSEN

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit

Introduced on Monday, Jan. 14 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT

What is it? The 2014 Grand Cherokee is less than all-new from the ground up — the last all-new model was introduced in 2011. But with a diesel engine, 8-speed transmission and extensive exterior and interior design changes, it is much more than your typical midcycle refresh. It is still the fourth-generation, but the most luxurious and technology-laden Grand Cherokee to ever venture down a dirt road.

The SRT, which was introduced as a 2012 model, gets the new 8-speed as well, and there is an Eco mode for its 6.4-liter Hemi V-8.

Is it real? Extensive changes to both models reflect the willingness of Fiat to invest more money than Daimler did in Jeep. Jeep has finally rewarded loyalists for their patience: the last time the Grand Cherokee was diesel-powered in the United States was in 2007-8, a lifetime ago in automotive years.

What they said: At the introduction, Mike Manley, chief executive of Jeep, called for “a moment of silence” at Cobo Hall, “because what you are not hearing is the diesel powertrain.”

Based on the success of the diesel Grand Cherokee in Europe, and customer interest here, it was time to bring the diesel back. Jeep estimates the diesel to account for about 15 percent of Grand Cherokee sales.

What they didn’t say: This gives Jeep some diesel parity with Mercedes-Benz, which has had a diesel in the M-Class since 2006 and with BMW, which has had a diesel in the X5 since 2009.

The reason the Grand Cherokee is called the SRT, instead of the SRT8, is because the company is making SRT a brand and not an engine designation. As vehicles are refreshed, references to engine size will be dropped.

What makes it tick? The newest engine is a 3-liter EcoDiesel V-6, which is the second generation of the Fiat diesel that powers the Grand Cherokee in Europe and elsewhere. It has 240-horsepower, 420 foot-pounds of torque and with the 8-speed transmission, is expected to be rated at 30 miles a gallon on the highway. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5-liter V-8 gasoline engines will be available with the 8-speed transmissions as well.

How much, how soon? Jeep executives did not announce a price. It will go on sale sometime in this quarter.

How’s it look? It retains the trapezoidal wheel arches and the classic seven-slot grille. The grille, however has been shortened in height, which might take a little getting used to, and headlights are slimmer. Each model gets its own unique exterior as well as interior styling cues. The SRT model gets styling changes, too, along with new LED lights front and rear.

Source: wheels.blogs.nytimes.com