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Wrangler gets 2.8L diesel in Oct

17K views 93 replies 23 participants last post by  asknight 
#1 · (Edited)
The 011 wrangler goes into production next September 010 with the old 3.8 gasoline engine, in Oct. it gets a 2.8L diesel option, and in 012 wrangler is scheduled too drop the 3.8 , and get the new Pentastar 3.6 as its stock engine, with a diesel option . Note: info came from Oh20 on the allpor.com/forum
 
#3 · (Edited)
Source? Allpar, and the Chrysler/Fiat presentation, stated that we'd have the Pentastar for the '11 model year. Already knew about the diesel option, although they didn't list which one...but, again, Allpar notes that the Wrangler will be getting a Fiat, not a Mercedes/VM diesel.

EDIT: NVM, found the source. So, it looks like the truth is somewhere in between-it'll be a 2.8L, 4-cylinder Fiat (Iveco) diesel engine that puts out 220 HP and 300 ft/lbs of torque. Not bad, a bit more HP then the 3.8L and a lot more torque. Less HP then the 3.6, but, again, more torque and more efficient then either.
 
#6 ·
Nope, the CJ-7 had a V8 for a while too.
 
#8 ·
The 4.7L is being discontinued, because the 3.6L Pentastar is supposedly more powerful. But a 5.7L Hemi wouldn't be a bad option for those who want a decent highway vehicle.
 
#11 ·
No, we both get the VM Motori, the same ones they're already building for the global market. (The original rumours said that the VM would be dumped in favour of an Iveco, but apparently that's not true for the moment).

The export diesel Wranglers get about 175 HP (Not amazing, but not poor either) and 340 ft/lbs of torque (And now we're talking!), and mileage in the low 20s. Cruises comfortably at 140 KPH, top speed around 160 KPH, enough torque to pass on the highway and towing capacity of 3500 kgs on the Unlimited. (7700 pounds) Not shabby at all...not quite as nice as the Iveco, but a damn sight better then the 3.8L, and the older version of the 2.8L in the Liberty.
 
#12 ·
That towing capacity is EU standards, just FYI.
They will definitely not rate it any higher than 5,000 pounds. The XJs, ZJs, WJs, KJs are the same way. 5k capacity in NA, 7700lb in the EU.

So what did they change between the 2.8 VM engine in the '05-6 KJ to the newer version of the 2.8 VM in the JK?
 
#13 ·
Entirely new block, actually, as well as a new wiring harness.
 
#15 ·
I think a 2.8 diesel would be great in a Wrangler. :2thumbsup:
I'm not going to hold my breathe though. If memory serves, they tried putting a diesel in the Liberty and it fell through for whatever reason. I think it was something like the Common Rail Diesel. Apparently, it go pretty decent mileage and still had a fair amount of low end torque. But it seems like it didn't make it very long. Maybe the new management will make a difference.

I'm disappointed to hear that there won't be a Scrambler. I'd drop everything for a Jeep truck again. Give me one with the 2.8 diesel and a 6-speed manual...I'd drive that thing forever! Might even get the wife one :D
 
#17 ·
The 2.8L diesel they're putting in the Wrangler is an updated version of the old Liberty diesel. It features a new block and wiring harness. It's a turbocharged CRD, and is very popular already among global Wrangler buyers.

The Liberty diesel failed because Chrysler didn't advertise the damn thing-even among Jeepers, most people were stunned to find out that the Liberty-Grand Cherokee, too-even had a diesel. They've already done more advertising for the Wrangler diesel, and there's 60 years of pent-up demand for one waiting to be unleashed on it. Stack that with all the Jeepers driving aging TJs and YJs but unhappy with the 3.8L V6 who'll buy a new JK either when the diesel drops in '11 or the Pentastar drops in '12, and the Wrangler's gonna have a good few years.:thumbsup:
(And the last few haven't exactly been unkind either! Prepare to be drowinging in Wranglers in 3...2...1...:p)

Fiat said in their presentation that they DO plan on introducing new Wrangler derivatives. They didn't say what, or when, but the rumour mill is speculating that a 'lite' version of the J8-basically a J8 offered on the regular Wrangler suspension and interior, instead of the stripped-out, heavy-duty build of the military one, may be offered in a few years. So, new Scrambler. No confirmation, just mutterings propelled along by the odd person 'in the know', but it's plausible. Same goes for the Gladiator, although a new Scrambler is more plausible.
 
#19 ·
The only problem with the CRD's that were in the Liberty and the Grand Cherokee is that the engine option was much more expensive (over $5k, I think). Combined mileage was 21 for the Liberty vs 17 for the 3.8, but the cost differential plus America's aversion to diesels, (thanks to GM) meant that they did not sell very well and you could not sell them in CA and the North East because they did not meet emissions. But seeing that the JK will be getting a diesel will finally make me look twice at trading my TJ when the time comes.
 
#21 ·
I wouldn't call a VW Jetta or a BMW 3-Series smelly or Eurotrash. Hell, those are two bad-*** cars right there! My Wrangler's trashier and smellier then either of them.

I mean, I like it, but still. :p

Anyways, T-Bird, a thought occurred, regarding your desire for a chassis-cab Wrangler.

People have seen J8 testing mules running around with Jeep badges on it-not AEV ones, because the AEV ones are completely debadged.

Land Rover, which offers the Defender as a chassis cab and has a decent chunk of the light commercial vehicle market, is pussif-er, reworking the Defender to a suspension system closer to that of the LR3. That'll likely kill it competition in the commercial market.

Fiat wants to make Jeep their big global brand.

Fiat wants to make more Wrangler derivatives.

The J8 features rear leaf springs and Dana 60 axels.

Jeep is talking to the US Army to see if there's any interest here in the J8.

The J8's engine is obviously NA-spec'd now (It uses the same 2.8L diesel)

It's not a hard leap to see how it could be offered as a chassis cab vehicle for use by military and civilian applications...
 
#22 ·
That's a good thought. Was really hoping they weren't going to castrate the Defender line, but oh well...progress, right?

Would obviously prefer a leaf sprung rear D60'd J8 half cab (cuz, uh...vintage Japanese motorcycles are soooooooo heavy ;) ), but would settle for coils. According to a guy in Australia that's got a CRD Unlimited, it's already got a D60 with coils out back already.

And also, was referring to something more along the lines of the 83 VW Rabbit or '85 Escort diesel than a modern BlueTec Mercedes or a BMW when saying Eurotrash. The diesels have come a long way in the last couple decades, but the diesels of the 80s are just AWFUL
 
#23 ·
EVERYTHING automotive in the '80s was awful. :D
 
#25 ·
In Canada, it makes a lot of sense. Right now, diesel is about $0.10/L cheaper, and generally stays about there, so even at $4000 I can pay off the diesel in a few years.

But the real advantage...look at that torque! That makes the beloved I6 look like an anemic hamster on a wheel!
 
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