Jeep Wrangler with EcoDiesel and 8-Speed Transmission On The Way

According to AutoBlog, an anonymous source at FCA has confirmed that the next generation Jeep Wrangler will be available with a 3.0 liter V6 diesel engine coupled to an 8 speed automatic transmission. While the parent company offers this combination in the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, this is the first indication the powertrain will be offered in the Wrangler.

Gabrielle Schulte, speaking for Jeep, told AutoBlog that FCA does not comment on future product. However, the EcoDiesel/Wrangler pairing have been rumored since at least 2013, when the small-displacement diesel engine first hit the market. The only question now is, when? FCA indicated in fillings with the SEC last fall that the 8-speed ZF transmission would be part of the mix in 2018. We do know that the Wrangler is enjoying strong sales in the marketplace, so Jeep feels little pressure to rush its replacement into production.

The main issue for Jeep is how to get the Wrangler to meet ever tightening fuel economy and emissions regulations without screwing up its appeal to customers. The diesel/8-speed combination makes the Ram EcoDiesel 1500 the fuel economy champ among full size pickups, so it should do even better in the smaller, lighter Wrangler, especially if it’s built of aluminum.

Diesel engines are having somewhat of a revival in America at the same time that Europeans are turning a cold shoulder to oil burning engines. After the oil embargoes of the 70’s, governments on the Continent strongly encouraged diesel engines because they squeeze more miles out of a gallon of fuel than gasoline engines. In some countries, like France, diesels account for almost 80% of all passenger cars on the road. But diesels have problems meeting the new lower emissions rules imposed by the European Union that take effect in 2020 and so are falling out of favor on the other side of the pond.

The one thing we can be sure of is that a Wrangler with a 3.0 liter diesel and an 8 speed tranny should have all the torque any four wheelin’ fan could ever wish for.

Next Wrangler Will Be Made Of Aluminum, Stay In Toledo

When you have a car as iconic as the Jeep Wrangler, big changes in design or production can ruffle a lot of feathers. Automotive News reports that contrary to previous reports, production of the next-gen Wrangler will stay in its historic home of Toledo, Ohio, keeping its body-on-frame design, though it will switch from a steel to an aluminum body.

That brings us to the question of how die-hard Wrangler owners will respond to aluminum, which is a lot more difficult (and expensive) than steel. The move to aluminum could shave hundreds of pounds off the next Wrangler, leading to greatly improved fuel economy. Rumor had it that the Wrangler might be ditching the traditional body-on-frame design in favor of a lighter unibody design, which would necessitate a move away from the Toledo assembly plant. But four separate sources to AN that production will stay in Toledo, and aluminum was the way forward.

That still leaves some questions though relating to the powertrain and chassis; the next Wrangler could ditch its solid axles in favor of a more ride-friendly independent rear suspension as in recent years the original Jeep has become a favorite of the mall crawler crowd. Then there’s the question of whether the 3.6 liter Pentastar engine is up to the task of meeting strict fuel economy mandates; the addition of the EcoDiesel V6 engine seems all but confirmed, though it’s starting to look like it won’t happen until the next generation at the earliest. Fiat-Chrysler will also likely upgrade the transmission from six-speeds to eight, squeezing every last MPG it can out of a traditionally thirsty vehicle.

A diesel aluminum Wrangler is a far cry from the Jeep that won the hearts of GIs during World War II, but it’s far better suited for car buyers of the 21st century as well. Are you a purist who thinks the Wrangler is being ruined, or is Fiat-Chrysler keeping the dream alive?

Source: Gas2

Jeep Wrangler Could Get Aluminum Body And Turbo Engine

For over 70 years, Jeep has been a worldwide icon built of American steel and can-do attitude in Toledo, Ohio. The Wrangler has carried on the legacy of the original Jeep, but Automotive News reports that Fiat-Chrysler is considering a switch to an aluminum body and small-displacement turbo motors in Wrangler. More dramatic, it move from its longtime home in Toledo.

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told AN that;

“We firmly believe that we have to downsize the engines that are going into the Wrangler, just in terms of displacements, and then increase the capabilities by putting turbos in and doing other things to that engine. This requires a complete rethink of the architecture.”

He went on to say that part of this “complete rethink” could be doing away with the heavy steel structure in favor of lighter aluminum. Ford is going whole-hog with aluminum throughout its SUV and truck lineup, and Chrysler could follow suit, but that could also require moving Jeep from its historic Toledo home. The cost of retooling the massive Toledo plant could be higher than just building a new plant, or reconfiguring a more modern facility for the task of building aluminum Wranglers.

According to Marchionne, if the Wrangler goes aluminum; “…then I think unfortunately that Toledo is the wrong place, the wrong setup to try and build a Wrangler, because it requires a complete reconfiguring of the assets that would be cost-prohibitive.”

Another likely candidate for the Wrangler is the EcoDiesel V6, good for up to 28 MPG in the Ram 1500. A small displacement six-cylinder would certainly fit the bill, but a smaller turbocharged four-banger could be on deck as well. This is just the latest rumor pointing towards an aluminum Wrangler, which faces the uphill battle or maintaining off-road credibility and meeting strict fuel economy standards. Aluminum and turbo might be the only choice other than extinction…or dare I suggest a hybrid?

While it might suck to move the Wrangler from Toledo, there will be sacrifices and tears along the march of progress, and if Ford F-150 buyers can learn to love aluminun, so can Wrangler fans (your humble writer included).

Source: Gas 2.

Jeep Cherokee Diesel Coming To Europe

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee will make its European debut next month at the Geneva Auto Show, and it will bring with it two new diesel engine options. With diesel engines growing in popularity here at home though, I’m hopeful that the 2014 Jeep Cherokee diesel will come to America before long as well.

Over in Europe just about every car offers a diesel engine option, and including the Chrysler 300 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was the first Jeep to pack an EcoDiesel engine here in America. The smaller 2014 Jeep Cherokee is unlikely to get the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel V6 though, instead lining up a pair of 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbodiesels. These multiport turbodiesels will offer up to 170 horsepower and 258 ft-lbs of torque, though a cheaper 140 horsepower option will also be available.

The diesel engines will come paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual will be standard on the lower-power engine. Chrysler will also offer the Jeep Cherokee with two gasoline engines in Europe, using the same 2.4 liter Tigershark and 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 that we have here in America. Those wanting fuel economy will definitely opt for the diesel option though, as the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel proved with its 28 MPG highway rating. In the smaller and lighter Cherokee, I wouldn’t be surprised to see close to 40 MPG on the highway.

No mention of plans for an American version of the Jeep Cherokee diesel, though the hope remains strong. Rumor has it that a Jeep Wrangler diesel is also in the works, and Chrysler’s sure to spread the EcoDiesel love throughout the Jeep brand in lieu of hybrids or pure electric vehicles. Americans are warming up to these efficient and torquey oil burners, but is it fast enough for Chrysler execs to bring more diesel engine options on board?

Source: Jeep

Ford Bronco With EcoBoost And Diesel Options In The Works?

Once upon a time the Ford Bronco was highly-regarded among sport utility fans. It’s been decades since Ford built a new Bronco, and years since the last Bronco Concept crossed an auto show stage. So one has to wonder if the rumors of an EcoBoost-or-diesel-powered Ford Bronco isn’t just wishful thinking, or something really substantial.

According to unnamed Ford insiders, Ford is developing a 2015 Bronco concept based on the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 chassis, aimed at competing with the hot-selling Jeep Wrangler. Engine options would include the 5.0 liter V8, a 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6, and a 4.5 liter turbodiesel engine designed to compete with Chrysler’s own EcoDiesel engine. I wonder if the rumored “Nano” EcoBoost V6 might be on tap as well.

With the Jeep Wrangler slated to get a diesel engine as well, and a huge jump in diesel car sales in America, this could be an opportunity for Ford to test the waters for diesel engines of its own. Chrysler is selling every Wrangler it can build, and Ford has seen a lot of success with its own off-road entrant, the F-150 Raptor. Then again, Ford has also been rather successful with its hybrid car sales, and a hybrid Bronco could be fuel efficient and plenty of fun too.

A new Bronco could take the place of the Raptor, offering four-wheel drive as standard in both two-door and four-door configurations, same as the Wrangler. The name recognition is certainly there, and Ford is promising to launch almost two-dozen new models in 2014. Could a rugged new Bronco with EcoBoost and diesel power be among them?

I don’t want to get my hopes up, but the prospect is pretty damn enticing to me.

Source: Gearheads.org