Diesel-Powered Wrangler Still Up in the Air

Jeep Says Cherokee’s Emissions-Evading Device Is a Misunderstanding, Not Cheating. But How Will That Affect the Future of a Diesel-Powered Wrangler?

It doesn’t seem like the Grand Cherokee’s diesel issue is having any impact on plans for a diesel-powered JL Wrangler. Well, actually that all depends on the source.

According to Nseavoice.com, Jeep is still pushing forward with plans to introduce a turbo-diesel model as part of the new Wrangler lineup. Cocky? Well, actually more of a misunderstanding, according to Mike Manley, who heads the Jeep brand.

Manley says earlier reports that FCA North America used a device to cheat on the Grand Cherokee’s EPA emissions can be explained. It was apparently just a matter of not disclosing information about the device in a timely manner.

But a report by the Daily Sun suggests that the Jeep EPA issue might be the kiss of death for a diesel-powered Wrangler.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About a Diesel Wrangler

In total, 104,000 Grand Cherokees and light-duty Ram 1500 trucks equipped with the 3.0-liter diesel engines have been caught up in the EPA claims. The agency initially contended that FCA installed software to evade diesel emissions standards. More specifically, they said the carmaker installed eight different undisclosed software programs. Collectively, that supposedly caused the vehicles to emit “harmful nitrous oxide emissions.” Those can negatively affect breathing conditions.

Oddly enough, Jeep’s EPA issue hasn’t generated nearly the kind of public outcry that continues to plague the Volkswagen diesel fiasco. The German’s are still in the news, nearly two years after emissions-evading allegations.

Of course, we still need to see how the Cherokee’s diesel issue plays out. Ultimately, it will be a major factor in whether or not the turbo diesel-powered Jeep Wrangler moves forward.