Chrysler has confirmed that the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be offered with a diesel in the U.S. The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee will get a new diesel engine that will be produced in Detroit, but Chrysler hasn’t confirmed the official specs. It’s likely that the diesel will be the same diesel engine sold in Europe. In Europe the Grand Cherokee diesel is a 3.0L V6 that puts out 237 horsepower and 406 lb-ft. of torque.
In addition to the announcement about the new diesel-powered Grand Cherokee, Chrysler also announced plans to add a third crew and 1,100 new jobs at its Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. Chrysler is also adding 150 jobs by reopening its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant for production of the the SRT Viper.
“Our future, like the history of our brands, is interwoven with the City of Detroit,” said Chrysler Group Chairman and CEO Sergio Marchionne. “Detroit long has been home to renowned innovators and craftsmen. So it is in the Motor City, home of our industrial heritage and a resilient people, that we are entrusting the manufacture not only of the ultimate American sports car, the SRT Viper, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the most awarded SUV ever – but also a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee for North American markets.
“We believe that investing in Detroit is not only the right thing to do, but it is a smart thing to do as we work to write the next chapter in our shared history,” Marchionne said.
