I can't imagine it won't be too long until the Jeep Wranglers have one of these motors dropped in them. Hell of a lot of torque, great gas mileage, and the Unlimited Powertrain Warranty might convince me to buy a new Wrangler. I saw the Cherokee's review on AutoWeek a few days ago. It got 20mpg mixed driving vs the V8's 14mpg. I suppose a Wrangler outfitted with this motor would be good for 7 second 0-60 runs and 25mpg. The Cherokee can also
tow 7,400lbs."""In addition to some cosmetic changes, inside and out, the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee will now offer a diesel engine in the Laredo, Limited and Overland trim levels. Models with the diesel engine will be badged CRD for common-rail diesel. Additionally, the 4.7-liter V-8 gasoline engine will now be flex-fuel, capable of running on E85 or gas.
When I drove the Grand Cherokee CRD around DaimlerChrysler's proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich., it delivered as promised. It's ridiculously gutsy from a standing start, even with the relatively heavy Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive underfoot.
It's no surprise, because the engine puts out 376 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600-2,800 rpm, as well as 215 horsepower at 3,800 rpm. What makes this engine stand out, though, is how quiet and smooth it is. It's definitely the most refined diesel engine I've ever driven in a car — or light truck, as the case may be.
The 3.0-liter V-6, which has been used in the Grand Cherokee overseas, is a Mercedes engine that is arguably the most advanced small diesel made. When you start — and particularly when you stop — the engine there's no vibration that shouts "diesel." The same couldn't be said of Mercedes' previous diesel car engine, the 3.2-liter in the E320.