Next-gen Jeep Wrangler rumored to pack an EcoDiesel engine, 8-speed automatic

By Alexander Kalogianni March 7, 2015

Difference between four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive — Image used with permission by copyright holder

America’s iconic off-roader, the Jeep Wrangler, is due for an upgrade. With the next generation version around the corner, there’s lots of discussion as to what features the next iteration will bring, what things it should have, and what stuff should stay the same. Nothing is known for sure, but a recent rumor suggest that the Wrangler might get hitched with FCA’s latest diesel engine.

According to an anonymous source inside FCA who spoke to Autoblog, the upcoming wrangler will be offered with the company’s much lauded 3.0-liter six-cylinder diesel engine, that will also be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This will give the Jeep an underwhelming-sounding 240 horsepower, but it more than makes up for it with 420 pound-feet of torque. After all, the Jeep will be used for towing, climbing, and scrambling in and out of ruts, so the more twist, the better.

Jeep Wrangler — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Combined with the eight-speed transmission, it should offer better fuel economy than its gasoline counterparts, such as the pair does in the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500.

This news isn’t wholly surprising as, apart from making a lot of sense, there’s been talk of a diesel Wrangler for some time, it as simply a matter of waiting until a refresh.

Like all rumors, we’ll have to wait for some sort of confirmation, but unlike most, this one feels quite plausible.

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Alexander Kalogianni

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…

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