Fuel Efficiency
Here Comes the Rock-Crushing Wrangler EcoDiesel
Since the diesel engine began spreading to new models a few years back, Jeep Wrangler fans have been droning on and on about wanting a diesel option for their favorite four-wheeling machine. Jeep announced it would oblige, but it seems like a decade since that announcement with no real movement. Today, it all becomes official, as Jeep has revealed all the oil-burnin’ details on the 2020 Wrangler EcoDiesel.
The Wrangler EcoDiesel will receive the new-generation 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 powerplant found in various FCA vehicles, including the Ram pickup. It will deliver a modest 260 horsepower, but its real feat is the 442 pound-feet of rock-grinding torque it’ll send to all four wheels.
The power will head to those wheels via a new TorqueFlight eight-speed transmission that Jeep enhanced to handle the extra twisting force this V-6 will churn out. And this new transmission will boast more than 40 shift maps that improve fuel economy, performance, and four-wheel-drive capabilities.
That new gearbox will send power through one of two transfer case options. Rubicon models will get a Rock-Trac two-speed transfer case with a 40-to-1 crawl ratio, while Sport and Sahara models will use the Command-Trac part-time two-speed case with a 2.72-to-1 low-range gear. It all ends with front and rear third-generation Dana 44 heavy-duty axles delivering power to the wheels.
Fuel economy is another benefit of this EcoDiesel engine, but Jeep gave no specific numbers. It only mentioned the Wrangler will boast the “highest driving range on one tank of fuel ever for Wrangler.” The official numbers will arrive closer to its on-sale date.
The 2020 Wrangler EcoDiesel will hit showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2019. Stay tuned for updates.
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