DETROIT -- The Chrysler group will being selling a diesel-powered version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the U.S. market early next year.

The diesel Grand Cherokee will be powered by a turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 with common rail fuel system. It goes on sale in the first quarter of 2007, the Chrysler group said early Thursday. The engine will be supplied by Mercedes-Benz, and the vehicles will be assembled at the automaker's plant in Detroit.

This will be the second diesel-powered Jeep in the automaker's lineup. Last year the Chrysler group launched a diesel-powered version of the Jeep Liberty. Demand for that model has outstripped supply.

The Chrysler group said fuel economy of the diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee will be up to 30 percent higher than a gasoline-powered version of the SUV. The diesel Grand Cherokee will have a driving range of about 425 miles, compared with about 300 miles for a gasoline version.

----------------------


Press Release from Jeep:
Chrysler Group To Announce First Full-size Diesel-powered SUV in U.S. With Introduction of 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD

Auburn Hills, Mich, Jun 1, 2006 - Chrysler Group will announce today its plans to produce the first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007.

“DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U.S. market,” said Craig Love, Vice President -- Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range.”

The new 3.0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs.), and class-leading driving range of approximately 425 miles. And, clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The 3.0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models.

“The 3.0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance,” said Bob Lee, Vice President -- Power Train Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems.”

Chrysler Group was the first automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a mid-size, diesel-powered SUV, the 2005 Jeep Liberty with a 2.8-liter CRD engine. Based on consumer response, the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty exceeded the company’s expectations. More than 11,000 diesel-powered Jeep Liberty vehicles have been sold since production began. The Jeep Liberty diesel continues to be a strong seller, as consumers realize the benefits of diesel technology.

The Jeep brand also announced earlier in the year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group’s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.

More than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3.0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.

Jeep Brand

Jeep has seven models in the 2007 model year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the 65-year history of the brand.

The expansion of the Jeep brand has taken place in just two years. At the start of 2004, the brand’s trio of tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty (Cherokee outside North America) and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler.

In 2005, the Jeep Commander was introduced. This year, the redesigned Jeep Wrangler was unveiled. Also debuting this year are three all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

Overall sales of Jeep brand vehicles increased 12 percent in 2005 to their highest total since 2000 -- 476,532 units compared with 2004 sales of 427,329 units. Internationally. Outside North America, Jeep brand sales grew 15 percent to 84,019 units in 2005. The positive momentum for the Jeep brand has continued during the 2006 calendar year.

Despite always being a unibody vehicle, like many body-on-frame SUVs, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been largely shown the door by a raft of new crossovers that have played to consumers looking for improved on-road performance. Oh, back when the current WK model was new for 2005, then-DaimlerChrysler made a splash with a new double-wishbone suspension that was better able to soak up tarmac imperfections, but some hardcore brand loyalists felt betrayed because the improved ride came at the expense of axle articulation. Not wanting to risk offending brand acolytes with their new 2011 model, Jeep faced a pair of seemingly divergent goals: Improve off-road ability while making the vehicle more attractive to a wider, street-oriented mainstream audience. In other words, as Chrysler's vice-president of design Ralph Gilles put it to us, Jeep's mission was to "put the 'Grand' back in Grand Cherokee."

Let's get this out of the way right now: Both domestic and global auto markets have evolved greatly from the late-Nineties salad days when Jeep once managed to shift 300,000 Grand Cherokees. And while last year the GC sold under a third of that total, it remains a linchpin in the company's operation, particularly as the larger three-row Commander model is not scheduled to receive a replacement. The company's fortunes are incredibly shaky right now, but if it is to survive in any form, products like the GC will still need to be able to shoulder a heavy burden. Does the GC have the muscles for the job? Follow the jump to find out.

As the first four-wheel-drive SRT vehicle, Jeep Grand Chrokee SRT8® is the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever, offering astonishing on-road and all-weather capability and power. The specially developed four-wheel-drive system propels Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 from 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds—quicker than the Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5—0-100-0 in low 19-second range and 60-0 mph in approximately 125 feet.

Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 that produces 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 N•m), the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 delivers the complete performance package with exceptional ride and handling, world-class braking, race-inspired interior appointments and functional, performance-oriented exterior enhancements.

For example, the front fascia provides aerodynamic benefits by reducing lift and drag, while providing sufficient air flow to cool the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine. The front fascia also helps increase brake-system cooling through integrated air ducts.

The rear fascia incorporates an aggressive center cut-out in order to accommodate dual 4-inch exhaust tips. Sill extensions result in another functional enhancement by creating downforce.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s cabin features an SRT signature race-inspired interior. Seats with added bolstering and a performance fabric insert keep occupants firmly in place under spirited driving conditions. A dark slate gray interior color, accent stitching on the seats and a unique SRT-designed leather-wrapped steering wheel are some of the highlights. Full instrumentation includes a 180-mph (300-kph) speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges, all trimmed with a unique blue accent.

Providing horsepower and torque to the unique SRT four-wheel-drive system is a specially tuned version of the HEMI engine, which was developed by adding more displacement, increasing the compression ratio and redesigning cylinder heads, intake and exhaust systems for better flow and increased engine speed.

Power from the 6.1-liter HEMI is sent through a special torque converter to an SRT-upgraded, five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated driver-selectable Auto Stick, which offers a fully automatic or manual shift selection.

Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever

-- Powered by the 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 that produces 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 N•m) of torque, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s powertrain and performance-tuned ride and handling offer a world-class performance SUV experience
-- Quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the first Jeep SRT vehicle, offering on-road and all-weather capability and performance

-- Specially developed four-wheel-drive system offers highly capable performance
SRT performance: 0-60 mph in less than 5 seconds, 0-100-0 in low 19-second range, 60-0 mph in approximately 125 feet
-- Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 offers a unique formula of design, power and performance

Functional, performance-oriented exterior design features 20-inch SRT wheels, front and rear fascias with air dam and cooling ducts; race-inspired interior appointments that include deeply bolstered seating and comprehensive instrumentation; benchmark braking; and world-class ride-and-handling characteristics

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is part of a broad lineup of SRT vehicles developed under the credo, “Race inspired, street legal”