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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, First Drives, Luxury, Off-Road

Choose Your Own Adventure... But Choose Wisely

Jeep has got you covered. We can say this without even having to know what it is you want, because there's hardly an option or configuration that you won't find in the 2014 Grand Cherokee. There are three different engines, three different four-wheel-drive systems (plus rear-wheel drive), four different trim levels - not counting SRT - two different suspension setups and five different settings for various off-road terrain conditions. If you happen to check the box for Quadra-Lift, you'll also have five different ride-height settings for the driver-selectable air suspension.

As you might expect with so many customization possibilities, the way a buyer checks the options sheet can have a profound effect on the final product and its capabilities, to say nothing of its price. Nowhere is that more true than with the Grand Cherokee's choice of engines, with the brand-new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 stealing the spotlight from the still excellent gasoline-fueled 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and 5.7-liter Hemi V8 powerplants that carry over from last year. No matter which engine you choose, though, it will be paired up with Jeep's new standard eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF. This, ladies and gentlemen, is very good news indeed.

We took to the ranch lands surrounding Austin, Texas at Jeep's invitation to put the 2014 Grand Cherokee through its paces, both on road and off. Read on for our initial report card.

Continue reading 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets surprisingly comprehensive update, new diesel power

Chris Paukert — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Performance, SUV, Jeep, Diesel, Luxury

Traditionally, automotive journalists can be heard muttering something to the effect of "Geeze, it's about time!" whenever a vehicle's midcycle refresh is revealed. As we routinely see and drive new models many months before the public even claps eyes on them in showrooms - and then go on to tweeze apart their minutia in our daily writings - perhaps some impatience is to be expected. With so much exposure to a given vehicle, it's fair to say we tire of most cars and trucks far more quickly than the average consumer.

The alterations are handsome, if not subtle touches from the "If It Ain't Broke" school of design.

Which is why we're pleased to say "Oh, is it time for that already?" when it comes to the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The current WK2 Grand Cherokee hit the market in 2011 and climbed its way into our hearts with its rugged good looks, go-anywhere capability and surprising refinement. We're not yet tired of its appearance or performance, but even so, we're very glad to see Chrysler giving its flagship Jeep some attention, including a much-anticipated diesel powertrain option and some other economy-minded measures.

The changes for 2014 start with a fresh look, including one of two different slimmer headlamp treatments (upper-rung models are treated to bi-xenon units with LED daytime running lamps, and Summit models feature dynamic corner lighting), along with reworked grilles and repositioned foglamps in new lower fascias. Redesigned taillamps incorporating yet more LEDs take up residence out back and the rear liftgate has received a once-over, too. We've seen the vehicles in the metal already, and the alterations are handsome, if not subtle touches from the "If It Ain't Broke" school of design.

Continue reading 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets surprisingly comprehensive update, new diesel power

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets surprisingly comprehensive update, new diesel power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Grand Cherokee headed for Detroit reveal on diesel power

Zach Bowman — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

Time to quit your bellyaching and pony up your pennies, Jeep fans. Chrysler has announced the Jeep Grand Cherokee will bow with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine in the first quarter of next year. The engine yields 237 horsepower and an impressive 406 pound-feet of torque, and all that twist shows up from 1,800 rpm on. If you're counting, that's 16 lb-ft more than the 5.7-liter V8. Expect to see it bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission. As you may recall, this isn't the first time we've heard this news.

Jeep CEO Mike Manley let the news slip while speaking with Ward's Auto at the LA Auto Show, and said if buyer feedback is any indication, the new model should see healthy sales. Manley also pointed to the now deceased Liberty diesel, which the executive said that enjoyed a faithful, if small following. Odds are we'll hear more about pricing and fuel economy when the diesel Grand Cherokee gets an official unveil at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show.

Jeep Grand Cherokee headed for Detroit reveal on diesel power originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Dec 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler going with EcoDiesel brand name?

Michael Harley — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Diesel

Chrysler appears to have chosen "EcoDiesel" as its branded name for a new line of diesel models set to arrive in the States. The artwork above was registered with the U.S. Patents and Trademark office just last month, with the "3.0L" nomenclature denoting the displacement of its first offering.

As we reported at the beginning of this year, Chrysler's first diesel engine will be a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. The powerplant, jointly developed with Fiat, will reportedly make 241 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Currently mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox under the hood of the Jeep Grand Cherokee in other markets, the new oil-burner would deliver an EPA fuel economy equivalent of about 23 city and 33 miles per gallon highway (the Cherokee's current gasoline-fed 3.6-liter V6, also mated to a five-speed, delivers 17 city and 23 highway).

While the bad news is that the automaker is likely going to delay the launch of its diesel models until the 2014 model year to finish development on a new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic (a gearbox that promises to deliver improved acceleration and even better fuel economy), the good news is that the automaker will shorten the 2013 model year to allow the 2014 models to arrive as early as January of next year.

Chrysler going with EcoDiesel brand name? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Jul 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Diesel option added to Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Alex Nunez — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Jeep

The price of getting into a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a diesel engine just got a little lower, as Chrysler has expanded the 3.0L oil-burner's availability to the Laredo trim level (with X Package). $35,685 gets you behind the wheel of a 4x2 model, while $38,305 is the price of the 4x4. Either way, the Laredo Diesel seems pretty well-equipped, including SIRIUS satellite radio, power sunroof, remote start, and a host of other features. Additionally, Chrysler has dropped the price of both the Grand Cherokee Limited Diesel and Grand Cherokee Overland Diesel by $1,000. So, now all you need is the will, the means, and residence in any state except CA, NY, CT, ME, VT, MA, PA or RI. For more info on the Grand Cherokee Diesel, check out AutoblogGreen's October review of the SUV. Complete details on the Laredo Diesel availability and the Limited/Overland price drops are in the press release pasted after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Diesel option added to Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Diesel option added to Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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