Chrysler president and CEO Saad Chehab recently told Ward’s Auto that Chrysler is currently mulling the idea of adding a diesel powered 300 to its US lineup, but no decision has been made.
Chrysler has already announced the introduction of the diesel powered versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500, but it looks like the automaker wants to add another diesel powered model to its lineup. Chrysler president and CEO Saad Chehab recently told Ward’s Auto that Chrysler is currently mulling the idea of adding a diesel powered 300 to its US lineup, but no decision has been made.
The Chrysler 300 is sold in Europe as Lancia Thema, which has a diesel option. The diesle engine is built by VM Motori, who has also helped with the diesel engines for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. “I think that we are in talks about the diesels because the Thema has a diesel in Europe anyway,” Chehab says. “It’s a matter of how much the customer is willing to pay for that premium. That’s the only issue with it.”
The diesel option adds a significant premium, which may keep buyers away. In the Jeep Grand Cherokee the 3.0L diesel engine costs an additional $4,500 over the standard V6. There’s a possibility that the next Chrysler 200, which is going to debut early next year, could also be offered with a diesel engine. Lastly there have also been reports that the Jeep Wrangler could also get a diesel engine. Chrysler could soon become the king of diesels here in the US.
