Jeep prices the 2007 Grand Cherokee CRD

We know for sure that in a couple of years the U.S. market will have more diesel options than it's had in a very long time. They'll be powerful, efficient and clean diesels, different in every way from the ones you remember during the Reagan era. DaimlerChrysler is poised to enjoy having the broadest lineup of diesel engines available across its many brands in the coming years, and one of the first that's 50-state legal is the Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, pricing for which was released today. To refresh your memory, the GC CRD's V6 is the same 3.0-liter diesel developed by Mercedes-Benz and used in many of that brand's products. It produces 215 horsepower and a stout 376 ft-lbs. of torque. For comparison's sake, the GC's available 5.7-liter V8 produces more horsepower at 330, but falls behind the 3.0-liter V6 CRD in torque with 375 ft-lbs. No doubt it will also far behind the CRD engine in fuel economy, which promises 20 city/25 highway for 4x2 models and 20/24 for 4x4 models.

Below you'll find the pricing of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, with the prices of comparable gas-powered models included, as well. The official press release from Jeep can be found after the jump.

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Limited 4x2 $38,475 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 $35,425

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Limited 4x4 $41,715 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 $38,015

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Overland 4x2 $41,960 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 $39,950

Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Overland 4x4 $45,395 (including $695 destination)
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 $43,385

[Source: Jeep]

PRESS RELEASE:

Chrysler Group Announces Pricing for the New 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee CRD

• Full-size, diesel-powered sport-utility vehicle for under $39,000
• Up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions
• Class-leading torque and driving range (450 miles); outstanding towing

Washington, D.C., Jan 23, 2007 - Chrysler Group announced today at the Washington Auto Show pricing for its 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 begin to arrive at Jeep dealerships in March.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD will begin at $38,475, including $695 destination. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland 4x2 and 4x4 models.

"The Chrysler Group is leading the way to bring the advantages of diesel to various U.S. vehicle segments," said Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group. "Chrysler Group will continue to build upon our diesel leadership in the years to come. We believe that clean diesel technology can and should be a part of the national energy solution. It's crucial that our country's policymakers set regulations that encourage a diversity of approaches to reducing our dependence on oil."

The new 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3,800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N•m) @ 1,600-2,800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 miles city and 25 miles highway for 4x2 models and 20 miles city and 24 miles highway for 4x4 models. Most recently, the engine earned a spot on "Ward's 10 Best Engines" list.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 pounds), and class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles. Clean diesel technology also improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD
With an MSRP of $38,475 for 4x2 models and $41,715 for 4x4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD includes Sirius Satellite Radio, Quadra-Drive II®*, five-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum wheels, memory system (seats, mirrors, pedals, etc.), air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, rain sensitive windshield wipers, premium leather seats, SmartBeam headlamps, tire pressure monitor, engine block heater, and AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 radio. (*4x4 models only)

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD
With an MSRP of $41,960 for 4x2 models and $45,395 for 4x4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD includes a five-speed automatic transmission, Quadra-Drive II*, 17-inch chrome clad wheels, ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense® rear back-up system, skid plates*, trailer tow package, tow hooks*, engine block heater, Sirius Satellite Radio, DVD-based AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 navigation radio and UConnect® hands-free communication system. (*4x4 models only)

"The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer excellent performance, increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and a driving range of 450 miles – the equivalent of driving from Washington D.C. to Boston," said Craig Love, Vice President--Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "Unlike past experiences Americans may have had with diesel engines 20 years ago, the 3.0-liter CRD available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is engineered to be a smooth-running, quiet, clean engine. Consumers may forget that they are driving a diesel vehicle."

The Jeep brand also announced last 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 (E85) 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 the Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel powered. Between 2003 and 2007, the 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be fueled with B5 (5 percent) biodiesel at the assembly plant to help increase the awareness of biodiesel. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.

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

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. In 2006, the redesigned Jeep Wrangler was unveiled. Also debuting in 2006 were three more all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD Pricing

• Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 $38,475 (including $695 destination)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 $41,715 (including $695 destination)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x2 $41,960 (including $695 destination)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 $45,395 (including $695 destination)