Diesels: DCX Announces New Pickup Engine, Pricing on CRD Cherokee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD, the Chrysler Group's first diesel-powered full-size SUV, will be priced starting at $38,475, including a $695 destination charge, when it hits showrooms in March.

The company also has announced that it will roll out a new diesel pickup after 2009.

The timing of the two announcements was part of a big diesel push on Tuesday by DaimlerChrysler. In a speech at the Washington auto show, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche urged Americans to "rethink diesel" as a way to lessen dependence on foreign oil and improve fuel economy.

The automaker will debut a new turbodiesel engine in its Dodge light-duty pickups after 2009. The new Cummins "clean diesel" for the Dodge Ram 1500 will provide up to 30 percent better fuel economy and a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared with a conventional gas engine.

The automaker also noted that the new 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD provides up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and a 20 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. The Grand Cherokee CRD will range in price from $38,475 for the base Limited 4x2 model to $45,395, including shipping, for the top-of-the-line Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4.

In comparison, a 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x2 with a 4.7-liter V8 starts at $35,425, including a $695 destination charge. A 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x2 with a 3.7-liter V6 starts at $28,360, including destination.

The new 3.0-liter V6 CRD, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 376 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. It gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for 4x2 models, and 20 mpg city/24 mpg highway for 4x4 models.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD has a towing capacity of 7,400 pounds and a driving range of about 450 miles.

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