Originally Posted By: MoBOB
[quote=bws48]
As a side note: I wondered why Jeep did not put a small diesel in the Wrangler when they were owned by Daimler. I think that would have been the way to go. Then again, look at how long it took them to add two doors to it. But, I digress.


From what I've been told, a Wrangler diesel is still in the plans. As is a diesel version of the Grand Cherokee. Finally, we're also going to see a diesel version of the half-ton Ram relatively soon.

Unfortunately, diesels aren't really Fiat/Chrysler's focus right now. They are more worried about getting their small cars competitive. With looming CAFE standards overhead, they can't just rely on truck and SUV sales.

If you want a diesel car, GM has a diesel version of the Cruze coming out within the next few months. Rumor is, this is going to be GM's test of the viability of diesel vehicles in the U.S. market. If it sells, we'll see more, if it doesn't, they'll stick with development of hybrids/electric/small displacement turbo engines exclusively.

It's expected that fuel economy costs for the Cruze Diesel will be similar to their current Cruze Eco (depending on gas/diesel prices where you live), but at a greater starting MSRP. The only real advantage would then be greater horsepower/torque over the Cruze Eco, which is kind of an anemic vehicle to drive.