[dascrow]

The latest rumors suggest the new Diesel Cherokee will be available late spring 2013! Hopefully we are just 4-5 months out from actually getting behind the wheel of this new SUV.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

Just talked to a local Jeep saleman at the Crowley Jeep/Dodge dealership near me.

THIRD QUARTER RELEASE, maybe.... That's right, no diesels until September at soonest. Probably not until October.

Seriously, why are they advertising the diesel fuel economy benefits in print and on television when there are none available? The automotive press is test driving , but there are none available in the US?? Why bother? This advertising smacks of the Segway scooter, lotta hype, then ho hum here it is...Just makes me want to buy another brand now.

 

[skennedy]

I just bought an AEV 4 Door Wrangler and said to hell with the wait.....they just lost one Diesel customer here!!!!!

 

[alonmac]

None of the dealers in my area are willing to take orders yet. They get annoyed when I ask for any word about potential release dates. Sounds like Jeep's have a problem with something related to the diesel or drivetrain. I had a very similar experience in 1985 waiting for an F350 SuperCab Dully with the new diesel. Ford was mum for months and kept pushing back the release date. Finally a Ford factory rep I happened to run into said, "You didn't hear it from me, but the new engine's got too much torque. We're snapping rear axels on the test track. Not sure when a supply of replacement axels will be certified and available. Maybe you should order a gas one if you're in a hurry for the truck." I told him there was no such thing as a diesel with too much torque, I was confident that Ford would get the fix right and was willing to wait. And I was not disappointed.
I'm feeling the same today. Whatever is going on, Jeep will get it right before they put these oilburners our for our abuse. There is too much at stake with this new drivetrain for Jeep to do otherwise.
Here's a question. Does anyone know if this VM mill has been mated to the ZF Tranny in any other applications? The new Maserati Ghibli apparently will run the VM motor in the base European application and they will also be running one of the new ZF 8 speeds at least in their US releases. Like I said, too much at stake to not get it right. I'll wait 'til January if need be.

 

[4jeepdiesel]

I've heard rumors that the delay is a problem with the EPA: not so much as passing but possibly/probably a paperwork issue.

 

[4jeepdiesel]

Update as of yesterday...
August order, September build, October delivery.

I think it's all BS!

 

[Upnorth]

Saw the diesel is now showing on the jeep site in the build your own. DId not remember seeing that before. It actually kicks out some pricing.

The mileage looked low, ie 20's which is not what I wanted to see. Clearly there are problems and poor communication makes me reluctant to be one of the first buyers. Had a lot of high expectations for this event and slowly they are slipping away. My 2006 hemi looks better every day, but then again I keep looking.

LNG would be interesting fuel option as well as we are now awash in NG in the US. The car builders are just too slow to pick up on change.

 

[yokev]

Saw the diesel is now showing on the jeep site in the build your own. DId not remember seeing that before. It actually kicks out some pricing.

It's been there for at least a couple months
I've built every conceivable combination of trims and packages I can possibly think of, and now I'm out of time.
I positioned myself to buy one a couple months AFTER they were to be released, and now I have to pull the trigger on something.
Looks like another diesel 3/4 ton diesel pickup, but it sure as hell won't be a Dodge now...I can tell you that.