The news that Jeeps fans have been waiting for has finally broken – well, almost. Wrangler fans have been yearning for a diesel power plant for years, and the continual wait now has a loose timeframe.
Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley told WardsAuto that Jeep understands customers are craving a diesel and any plans to include one in the Wrangler lineup would likely happen with the Wrangler’s refresh in 2015 or 2016.
“Wrangler is on the radar to get (a) diesel,” said Manley. “Remember we’re also going through the product change of Wrangler for 2015-16. That will probably be the right time to introduce the diesel into that vehicle.”
Manley continued saying, “I’m confident that the Grand Cherokee will show just how large a demand there is for diesel, and I think what that will do is reinforce the need for us to target Wrangler as a vehicle that can take a diesel.”
There’s no word yet on what diesel power plant would actually find a home in the Wrangler. Europe has been privileged with the 2.8-liter V-6 oil-burner for a number of years now, but with the introduction of the new 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, it’s likely any future U.S. spec diesel Wranglers would see something similar – if not the same engine.
