It hasn’t been too long since Chrysler LLC’s head honcho, Sergio Marchionne, made the announcement that the U.S. would be getting a diesel-powered Grand Cherokee and since then, Jeep fans have been a bit excited. Scheduled to debut in 2013, the first alternative fueled version of the current generation SUV might just be given a special name to go along with its special powerplant. Most recently, Chrysler filed a badge with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and scribed across it are the words: “EcoDiesel 3.0L”.
The sparkplug-less Jeep may be new news for the U.S., but Europe has had a version since the Grand Cherokee debuted in 2011. According to Car and Driver Magazine, the across the pond 3.0 liter V6 makes 224 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Those figures might not be too far off from what the U.S. version will receive, especially considering the “3.0L” moniker could be used. If it does carry the name “EcoDiesel”, the Grand Cherokee could be seen as a bit of a copy cat given Ford’s EcoBoost engine line up, even if the Jeep is marketed a completely different way. Even still, whatever it’s called, an oil-burning trail rated luxury liner should be a hoot and a holler no matter what.
Source: Car and Driver
