Jeep's newly released Cherokee will initially be offered in four- and six-cylinder petrol power only. However, Fiat Chrysler Group Australia says oiler fans needn't worry, with the promise that an efficient four-cylinder turbo-diesel will be offered by the third-quarter of this year (2014).
Motivation for the Cherokee diesel will come from the same 2.0-litre unit found powering Giulietta JTD-M variants, a model which essentially shares its underpinnings with the Cherokee's 'CUS-wide' architecture.
Developing 125kW at 4000rpm and 350Nm from 1750rpm the 'MultiJet2' unit will be unchanged in output from the Giulietta, but will be mated to the same 948TE nine-speed automatic transmission fitted to other Cherokee variants, and developed in conjunction with German transmission specialists ZF.
It will put power to all four wheels via Jeep's Active II four-wheel drive system, which encompasses five preset modes and low-range.
Although fuel and CO2 values have yet to be announced by Jeep, we believe the model will consume just 5.8L/100km on the ADR Combined cycle, an impressive 27 per cent reduction against the outgoing model's 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel. CO2 emissions also drop from 206g/km to 154.
At this stage it is anticipated diesel-powered Cherokee variants will be restricted to the Limited 4X4 model only, with pricing expected to sit above that of the petrol-powered model, which retails from $44,000 (plus on-road costs).
That price premium could see the model directly challenge the higher grade and petrol-only Trailhawk, the 'trail-rated' off-road focussed variant of the new Cherokee range, priced from $47,500 (plus ORCs).
Like its petrol-powered sibling, the turbo-diesel Cherokee Limited is expected to share near-identical standard equipment items including heated leather seats, bi-xenon headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels shod with all-season tyres, a reconfigurable instrument cluster, an 8.4-inch inch touch screen and 506-watt Alpine audio system with satnav and front and rear parking sensors.
It is also expected the model will be offered optionally with a dual-pane sunroof ($1900), an advanced driver-aid package dubbed Technology Group ($3000), and an Electronic Convenience pack ($900) as per the same found on the petrol variant.