I was checking out the Jeep site and seen a promotional page for the 2005 Jeep Liberty 2.8 Liter I-4 Common Rail Diesel. I heard they were borrowing a diesel engine from their subsidiary Mercedes to put in the Liberty. This must be it. I notice most manufacturers don't mention the source of the foreign engines they may be using, but in this case I think it would be beneficial. Anyhow the Liberty CRD isn't available yet but will be later this year. It looks like a great diesel package with good fuel mileage. I would either go with this or their imfamous 4.0 Liter I-6 gasser if I were in the market for a Jeep.

 

Dodge need to at least offer a mercedes diesel in the trucks. I would like to see them scrap the cummins altogther. Mercedes builds some of the most reliable diesels in europe, so why no try them here in the states.

 

Mercedes does make a good diesel. It would be awesome to get a diesel in a Wrangler.

 

I just love how nice and flat the torque curve is on that powerplant, too. And just think of doing some mods to it for some more power, even.

 

Yeah, I've been eyeing the new Jeep diesels for over a year. I wanted to buy one last year but they weren't available yet so I got the Ranger instead. The bad thing is, Jeep isn't going to offer it with the 6-speed manual for '05. Instead, they force you to take the 5-speed auto. which means the fuel economy on the diesel will still be lower than an Escape Hybrid. If Jeep would offer the turbo diesel with the 6-speed manual that you can get on the other Libertys I'd buy one right now.

 

Just a correction on the engine, it is not a mercedes unit, it is italian manufactured by VM Motori and developed in consultation with Detroit Diesel. It is used in mercedes, but that would be like saying the cummins is a dodge engine. But they are all the same company now (DC, VM, and Dtr. diesel-last I heard anyway-that may be incorrect), so, uh, why was i disagreeing? Nevermind . It's mostly going to be fleet sales (that's how it was to be marketed anyway), almost all would have been auto's anyway, much cheaper to bring just one powertrain over especially for an "experimental" product. Maybe next year? I hope so. I don't want a Liberty, but it would be nice to see other companies bring in products to battle it. I think the mileage figures are 21 City 27 HWY. If tested the same as my Golf TDI it should meet or exceed those numbers regularly. the escapes are rated for 36 cty/ 31 HWY (yes, better in the city). I wonder what the real world #'s will be.

 

Ok yeah I just didn't know. I didn't research or anything I was just going by hearsay on the Mercedes thing.

 

I was just trying to be a know-it-all. you aren't really wrong at all, just wanted to clarify (I don't think I succeeded, just confused myself) .

 

that bites-only being able to get the diesel with a automatic, id much rather have stick. wonder if advance adapters will make a kit to match up to the m5od? that would be cool. if you cant buy a diesel ranger-build one! Dave.

 

Well, it's not in the trucks, but it's in the Sprinter Van (replaced the Ram Van): 2.7L I-5 Mercedes diesel. They should stuff that baby in the 1/2-ton trucks. The contract on the Cummins engine in the Dodge trucks runs through 2007, and there are rumors that Dodge will switch to a MB diesel at that time. I'd still like to see more of a "mid-size" diesel, 3-4L, 200hp, 350ft-lbs of torque or so. That would be a great light-duty truck engine, with good unloaded mileage, and still have decent occasional towing ability (like a good-size boat or a trailer with some toys on it).

Jason

 

Mer too. But in a Ford.