Interest Strong for Upcoming Jeep Liberty Diesel

The all-new 2.8-liter CRD (common-rail diesel) makes 160 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at an extremely

The new diesel will make it much easier to keep the Liberty's tank filled up with fuel. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

low 1,800 rpm. That's an incredible level of torque, which makes the recently upgraded model the titleholder of best-in-class towing. The technology will also use about 25 to 30 percent less fuel on average, has much longer maintenance intervals and delivers surprising power. It's the ideal engine for the less than lightweight Liberty. The diesel is available in both Sport or Limited trim levels.

Chrysler Group expects to sell approximately three thousand per year, but that estimate may be low if early indications of interest are to be believed. Of course, even if such preliminary sales numbers double or even triple, compared to the European market where the Liberty is also available and diesels account for almost half of new vehicle sales, this amounts to less than a single percent of the U.S. market.

The all-new 2.8-liter CRD (common-rail diesel) that makes 160 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at a very low 1,800 rpm. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Chrysler Group would like nothing more than for the Jeep Liberty CDI to succeed in its domestic market, as it may point the way for additional diesel-powered models to enter North America. The automaker sells diesel versions of many Chrysler Group models in Europe, such as the Jeep TJ (Wrangler) and Grand Cherokee, Chrysler minivans, and the new 300 Touring sport wagon that recently debuted in Paris.

Only time will tell if diesel versions of such models will become available in Chrysler's home market, but cleaner diesel fuel legislation due out in 2006 and competitive diesel-powered models that are expected to arrive in North America from Honda and others, could force DaimlerChrysler's hand.