Chrysler has no plans to bring diesel 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee to U.S.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Early next year, Chrysler will start selling a diesel-powered 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Europe. However, it has no plans to bring the diesel powered Cherokee to the United States. According to Phil Jansen, the Grand Cherokee’s chief engineer, a diesel version is “an open question because the business case has to make sense.”

One of the main issues for not bringing the diesel version to the U.S. is because Americans may not accept the extra price premium for the diesel over the gasoline model.

“It is expensive,” Jansen said. While he did not give an estimate, Automotive News says that some urea-system diesels have a price premium of up to $4,000.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel for Europe is powered by a 3.0L V6 diesel unit by VM Motori.

Refresher: The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will go on sale next month and will be available 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×2 model starts at $30,995, while the 4×4 Grand Cherokee Laredo model starts at $32,995. Prices for the 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited 4×4 start at $39,995, while the Overland 4×4 model start at $42,995. All models will be powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 unit making 290-hp delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. Optional features include a 360-hp 5.7L V8 and a Trailer Tow Group.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)