DCX showing 4.2-liter Cummins diesel in concept Jeep at SEMA
The wait may finally be over. At SEMA next week, Jeep will be showing a concept Wrangler Unlimited dubbed 50 JK. The Mopar Skunkwerks team beefed up this hardtop four-door Wrangler concept with a four-inch lift, 35-inch tires, and Dana 44 axles. The real beef comes from a new Cummings 4.2-liter V6 diesel under the carbon-fiber hood. The concept will also feature GPS and a full saddle leather interior.
We've been patiently waiting for any hint that DaimlerChrysler will actually put a small diesel into the new Wrangler. There is something magical about a smaller factory off-road vehicle with a diesel engine, straight axles, and the option to remove the top and fold down the front window. If we lived in other parts of the world, this would be a fantasy already fulfilled. Now, with this concept rendering staring us in the face, the dream is finally going to come true for us in the U.S. The quesiton is, how long before we can walk down to a Jeep dealer with our check books out and get a stump-pulling diesel Wrangler of our own?
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
D Man 11:05AM (10/25/2006)
If its a 50 state compliant Jeep, I might consider one.
Kind of looks like a H3.
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Steve 11:04AM (10/25/2006)
I've seen the new 4 door TK mules running around with the diesels and badged as such. All moving around the main DCX HQ/I-75 corridor area. Next one I see, I'll try to snap a good shot of the badging. I still think the diesel in the Jeep brand will be a great thing. so long as the 4 wheel drive stays intact. Not some wussy AWD grocery getter.
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Rock 11:13AM (10/25/2006)
You better have a mighty flush check book if you want to buy one of these chunks. 35" wheels, saddle leather interior? Hopefully the production model will be a little more utilitarian and designed with the unwashed masses in mind.
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kraud 11:30AM (10/25/2006)
really nice concept! but, err, who will need it?
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tommcg 11:38AM (10/25/2006)
#3, see www.jeepnewsnow.com for a dcx press release about another crd wrangler to be shown at sema, with 16" wheels and vinyl seats.
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Tom 11:46AM (10/25/2006)
I will buy one.
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JD 12:24AM (10/26/2006)
Please! Now that the straight six with it's low rpm torque is gone Jeep needs a diesel.
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DriftPunch 11:48AM (10/25/2006)
"really nice concept! but, err, who will need it?"
Who really needs anything over a Civic? I know I don't 'need' my current vehicles.
I really hate the infatuation with huge tires and wheels. If one lools at HiLux's in remote areas of the world, thy have skinny little tires on steel wheels. The only benefit of this being done at the factory is that the gearing will be proper for such a large PI caluculation.
The oversized IROC-Z wheels from '84 don't help it much either.
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Jason 1:00PM (10/25/2006)
I would buy one too -
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leo 1:05PM (10/25/2006)
better looking than the H3,
but I think unless someone really needs it for working purposes, it will be just another cacoon poluting it's way around town
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Howard Kerr 12:12PM (10/25/2006)
Aren't some of the TIRES sold for trucks available in sizes like 31 and 33 inches? They are put on wheels that are only 15 or 16 inches in diameter. I never have figured out the way the sizes are measured...compared to car tires, but a 35 inch tire (which this story says the concept will roll on) does not have to mean a 35 inch wheel. Go to TireRack.Com and look at some of the tire sizes available for off-road vehicles...you should find 31 inch tires among those available.
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Corey W. 12:20PM (10/25/2006)
Great concept, would definitly be interested, but like someone else said above, make it true 4x4, no partime, or on-demand AWD.
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James Noble 12:36PM (10/25/2006)
If jeep makes this (minus the lift & huge tires, obviously) I would love it. Especially with a manual transmission. It's practically the perfect vehicle for mixed use (Town/Hwy/Offroad) and would fullfill the utility needs of ranchers, farmers and outdoorsmen everywhere while still having room for the family.
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Mr_Oak 1:30PM (10/25/2006)
---> #7. Who really needs anything over a Civic? I know I don't 'need' my current vehicles.
My money, my choice. Quit trying to peddle these ballsless POS civics. First of all, they are front wheel drive. Honda makes exactly 1 car today that I would consider buying, the S2000. However like most Hondas before it, the thing will scream @6000 RPMs, but has no balls in the lower RPM range, which pretty much takes the joy out of driving it.
The reality is none us of "need" anything more that a bicycle.
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robbie 1:26PM (10/25/2006)
according to a recent AEI (SAE magazine) feature on the engineering details on the new Wrangler, a turbo diesel is already available in markets outside NA. Can't remember the details (left my copy at home) but evidently a small diesel will be offered overseas.
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GTi-VR6 1:57PM (10/25/2006)
me thinks mr oak needs to work on his reading comprehension.....#7 wasnt peddling Civics. He was basically voicing the same opinion as you.
And by the by......i need a car, not a bike....my 30 mile (each way) commute would really suck on a bicycle.
That being said, this Wrangler concept looks pretty badass....if i were in the market for a small SUV, this would move to the top of my list!! kinda reminds me of that Ford Bronco concept that was shown four or five years back.
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steve mestdagh 2:38PM (10/25/2006)
if you don't want the leather, look at this:
http://www.jeepnewsnow.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1299
Here's a quote about the Jeep Liberator:Absent of carpet, leather and alloy wheels, the Liberator CRD is Jeep’s absolute commitment to form and function. Highlights include a top-of-the-line GPS navigation system, an entertainment system, a canvas roof with a full-length sliding panel, four vinyl-trimmed bucket seats, a 9,000-lb. winch, radical steel bumpers and outrageous 16 x 8-inch cast-aluminum bead lock wheels and Goodyear Wrangler MT/R 315/75R16 tires.
Sounds like the concept Gladiator. Wish they'd put one in production.
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Dr1v3r 3:08PM (10/25/2006)
Oh yippy, another Jeep concept. They make the most manly concepts then give us nothing but crap to buy. Just look at the Jeep Commander concept they made, and the hideous thing we have now. I love Jeeps and have owned Wranglers, but come on DCX stop getting our hopes up.
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JBeam 4:41AM (10/26/2006)
They are 35" tires, not wheels (big differnece). 35" tires are common amung the medium to hard-core wheelers out there. 35" wheels would be the envy of your local gang banger. Jeeps on 35's are not rare, my Rubi has 35's (http://jbeamphotos.com/albums/Connellsville_06-03-06/jeeprun_connellsville_060603_113704_6324.jpg)
If they just took the current Rubicon and slapped in a diesel they would have a vehicle that would sell. No need for leather, lift and tires out of the factory.
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Carter 5:11PM (10/25/2006)
Dude #17, walk in to a jeep dealer. You can buy a 4-door wrangler right now. The only thing new in this concept is the diesel.
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