Jeep will roll out a Fiat-sourced diesel engine option for its Cherokee range at next month's Geneva motor show.
The 2.0-litre Multijet II turbo-diesel four-cylinder produces 350Nm in two different states of tune: a 127kW version driving through a new nine-speed automatic transmission, or a 104kW version coupled to a six-speed manual. Both engines power a four-wheel drive system with rear-axle decoupling to save fuel.
Globally Jeep will market the diesel Cherokee in three grades: Longitude, Limited and Trailhawk. Among the features to be offered on will be front-seat heating/ventilation, seat position memory, leather-bound multifunction three-spoke steering wheel and seven-inch colour TFT infotainment touch screen.
Seven airbags are complemented by Electronic Rollover Mitigation, Forward Collison Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning Plus, Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path Detection. The Cherokee has already been evaluated by Euro NCAP, scoring a five star rating last year.
A success in its homeland before it even arrives in Australia, the Cherokee sold over 29,000 units during the first two months on sale in the USA. It's due to arrive here in May or June and the diesel is confirmed to be joining the local range. Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
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