We knew it would happen (seriously, we did know). Jeep announced today it will offer its Grand Cherokee in delicious diesel flavor. In fact, it'll be Mercedes-Benz's 3.0-liter CRD (common-rail) turbodiesel burner the Europeans have been privy to that will power the SUV in the US. The Chrysler kids are talking about a 30% increase in fuel economy (over the deepest-sipping V8) from the mill, which produces 215 hp at 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque waaay lowdown in the 1600-2800 rpm range — with estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city / 23 mpg highway. It'll be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models. Speaking of Europeans, one of these little numbers blew by us on the autostrada in Italy last month — notwithstanding that such a pedal-down maneuver probably cost him about five bucks in fuel. Still, we're totally ready for diesels over here.

Related:
Jeep Needs Engines: Success of Liberty CRD Highlights Diesel Lack [internal]

Contact information for this author is not available.