Automotive News reports that the Jeep Grand Cherokee will experience a shorter 2013 model year in order to make room for the introduction of an eight-speed automatic diesel variant for the 2014 model year.
Dealer orders for the 2013 model year only began this month and production will not begin until later in August. Thinking way ahead, Chrysler is eager to get the 2014 model moving as quickly as possible.
Already available in Grand Cherokees sold overseas, the 3.0 liter diesel powerplant is rated at 241-hp and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. Previously mated to a 5-speed automatic, the Grand Cherokee diesel delivered 23 city and 33 highway, a respectable figure for a mid-size SUV. The 8-speed transmission won't bow until January 2013 but we expect the new diesel to gain even greater fuel economy numbers.
Already a popular sales leader and a vital contributor to Chrysler's return to success, the American automaker had previously announced that its Jefferson North Assembly plant will continue Grand Cherokee operations rather than scheduale the usual summer shutdown in response to the growing demand for the SUV. The latest numbers revealed that Grand Cherokee sales gained a huge 38 percent to 62,611 units in May sales.
No doubt, the latest diesel variant should attract even more buyers with its combination of fuel efficiency and low-end grunt.
