here's a clip from an article in the Washington Post:
"NEW YORK –– In an effort to increase the fuel efficiencies in the cars it brings to market, DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler division plans to test a diesel-powered Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicle in North America starting in 2004.
The Liberty marks Chrysler's first diesel-powered passenger car to be sold in the United States. DaimlerChrysler currently offers diesel engines in its Dodge Ram heavy duty trucks in North America.
The introduction also marks the first light-duty sport utility vehicle with a diesel-powered engine to go on sale in the United States.
The company expects to produce 5,000 units in 2004, said Dr. Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler's chief executive, in an address at the company's technology convention on Monday.
The price has not been set, company officials said. But Bernard I. Robertson, senior vice president of Engineering Technologies & Regulatory Affairs at the company said that "it is my guess that we will end up subsidizing the diesel" for now.
While DaimlerChrysler has explored other types of power, including hybrid forms, which mixes electric and gas, company executives believe that diesel has more promise. It's expected to cost far less to increase the fuel efficiencies of diesel engines than other types of alternative engines.
"The best way to show our commitment to work together is to bring a modern, clean diesel passenger vehicle to market," Zetsche said.
Still, there's a lot of work that needs to be done to get diesel fuel more energy efficient. The auto industry has been pressing oil refineries to distribute the same kind of high quality, low-sulfur diesel fuel to the United States as found in Europe.
Currently, diesel oil in the United States contains 330 parts per million of sulfur, more than six times the amount found in Europe, DaimlerChrysler executives said.
Diesel fuel in the United States does not currently meet federal standards on the limits of oxides of nitrogen emissions and other soot particles expected to be implemented in 2006.
About 35 percent of passenger cars in Europe have diesel engines, according to Ann Smith, a company spokeswoman. Zetsche said that the United States could reduce its oil use by approximately 800 million gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by eight million tons annually, if Americans purchased diesel-powered cars at the same rate as Europeans.
However, Zetsche acknowledged that diesel fuel still faces an image problem, citing failed efforts by auto companies to launch diesel-powered vehicles back in the 1980s that turned off consumers because they were smelly and loud.
"Decades of bad publicity have followed diesel for so long," Zetsche said.
What would you think about a diesel powered Liberty ?
maarten
12-11-2002, 04:59 PM
Just a remark: I think 35% of cars sold in Europe being diesels is even an underestimate (but they'll know better then I do, ofcourse). Certainly the DaimlerChrysler group (basically Mercedes-Benz in Europe) is selling more diesels than gas-engines. And you have to admit, having a car (not just a car, but a mercedes) with a mileage around 40mpg (I'm not kidding), while the price of diesel is about 70 cents a liter (3.7liters/gallon, do the algebra) and gas I guess about 1 dollar (never use it, so I don't know exactly)... It is quite cheap to have a mercedes.
So this "fool" bought himself a 1998 2500 QC cummins diesel... Some pleasures you have to pay for, right?
yamroamer
04-03-2005, 04:27 AM
Hello Maarten I guess by the way you spell your name you live in one of the benelux countries.Here in England diesel costs about .87p a litre which is more expensive than petrol.At 3.7 litres to a US gallon that works out at 6.05 dollars a gallon.I would say about a third of new cars in the UK are now diesel powered even though diesel is more expensive, you get better mileage and if you are a company car driver better tax breaks.I too for my sins run a 2002 QC 2500 cummins ram its GREAT.
gsbrockman
04-03-2005, 10:01 AM
The Common Rail Diesel (CRD) offers up to 32% better overall fuel economy (upwards of 500 miles on one tank of diesel....it's rated at 22 mpg city / 27 mpg highway). It also offers longer, higher mileage service intervals than its gasoline counterparts. Dual length manifold runners aid combustion at lower speeds for more power and lower emissions. Fuel injection pressure up to 1600 bar (23,500 to 24,000 psi) contributes to a finer mist / atomization for more complete combustion. There are two pilot and one main fuel injection events. The engine also utilizes an electrically actuated EGR Valve with an air cooler for reduced emissions and added performance.
Engine specs are : 2.8L (169.4 cu in) inline four cylinder; 94mm bore x 100mm stroke; 160 hp @ 3800 rpm, 295 lb-ft torque at 1800 rpm; cast iron block w/aluminum head; DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder; 17.5:1 compression ratio; counter rotating balance shafts; engine block heater.
The CRD technology uses a single, highly pressurized fuel line to deliver fuel to the fuel injector nozzles. The higher pressure results in more complete burning of the fuel mixture for added power, reduced emissions, and greatly reduce engine noise. The CRD engine is also direct injected.
Ceramic "Smart Glow Plugs" used in the CRD only glow when temperatures require them to, and only for the shortest time needed, so you spend less time, and fuel, waiting in idle mode.
The CRD's turbo is of a VGT variety (Variable Geometry Turbo)....it provides moveable fan blades/vanes which allow the turbo to react faster and customize output to the engine speed conditions. This technological advancement adds more power across a wider range of speeds, and reduces turbo lag as well.
The fuel tank has a 20.5 gallon capacity, the curb weight is 4296 lbs, and the maximum loaded trailer weight capacity is 5000 lbs. The Jeep Liberty CRD also carries the 7 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty.
This particular engine is made by VM Motori S.p.A. and has been in use in overseas markets since 2001. VM's origins date back to 1947 when two entrepreneurs, Vancini and Martelli whose initials give rise to the acronym by which the Company is still known today, decided to set up a company to design and build diesel engines. The Company is situated in Cento, Italy in the heart of Emilia Romagna, a region well known for its mechanical expertise thanks to companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati. It was not long before the Company had designed and produced the first Italian diesel engine, aircooled and with direct injection. In the wake of the war, the market was in need of simple, inexpensive and reliable engines with low fuel consumption. Production took off rapidly and engines were soon exported to other Mediterranean countries.
In 2000 VM Motori, together with Detroit Diesel Corporation, became part of the DaimlerChrysler Group. In 2003 the share packet of the Company was defined as follows: 51% Penske Group and 49% DailmerChrysler Group.
The Cento plant has continued to grow and now covers an area of 85,000 mq of which 50,000 mq are roofed. Annual production capacity is for over 80,000 engines. Our mission, to which over 1000 employees remain devoted, is still the same: to design and produce quality products.
I ordered my wife a 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 CRD with the 22G package, Trailer Tow Group, Trak-Lok Rear Axle, Tire Pressure Monitoring Display, Sirius Satellite Radio, Power Sunroof, Heated Front Seats, & Engine Block Heater. It's Bright Silver Metallic with Slate Gray Leather. Ordered March 12, 2005, but may not get it for a bit as it appears the plant was built-out for April. May wait & re-order if it's going to be really close to the 2006 modely year, but I'd like to enjoy the better fuel economy now. Her 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 w/3.7L V6 is a GAS HOG....barely & rarely gets low 18's. :mad:
Greg
bulthisl11
04-07-2005, 12:40 PM
The Common Rail Diesel (CRD) offers up to 32% better overall fuel economy (upwards of 500 miles on one tank of diesel....it's rated at 22 mpg city / 27 mpg highway). It also offers longer, higher mileage service intervals than its gasoline counterparts. Dual length manifold runners aid combustion at lower speeds for more power and lower emissions. Fuel injection pressure up to 1600 bar (23,500 to 24,000 psi) contributes to a finer mist / atomization for more complete combustion. There are two pilot and one main fuel injection events. The engine also utilizes an electrically actuated EGR Valve with an air cooler for reduced emissions and added performance.
Engine specs are : 2.8L (169.4 cu in) inline four cylinder; 94mm bore x 100mm stroke; 160 hp @ 3800 rpm, 295 lb-ft torque at 1800 rpm; cast iron block w/aluminum head; DOHC with 4 valves per cylinder; 17.5:1 compression ratio; counter rotating balance shafts; engine block heater.
The CRD technology uses a single, highly pressurized fuel line to deliver fuel to the fuel injector nozzles. The higher pressure results in more complete burning of the fuel mixture for added power, reduced emissions, and greatly reduce engine noise. The CRD engine is also direct injected.
Ceramic "Smart Glow Plugs" used in the CRD only glow when temperatures require them to, and only for the shortest time needed, so you spend less time, and fuel, waiting in idle mode.
The CRD's turbo is of a VGT variety (Variable Geometry Turbo)....it provides moveable fan blades/vanes which allow the turbo to react faster and customize output to the engine speed conditions. This technological advancement adds more power across a wider range of speeds, and reduces turbo lag as well.
The fuel tank has a 20.5 gallon capacity, the curb weight is 4296 lbs, and the maximum loaded trailer weight capacity is 5000 lbs. The Jeep Liberty CRD also carries the 7 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty.
This particular engine is made by VM Motori S.p.A. and has been in use in overseas markets since 2001. VM's origins date back to 1947 when two entrepreneurs, Vancini and Martelli whose initials give rise to the acronym by which the Company is still known today, decided to set up a company to design and build diesel engines. The Company is situated in Cento, Italy in the heart of Emilia Romagna, a region well known for its mechanical expertise thanks to companies such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati. It was not long before the Company had designed and produced the first Italian diesel engine, aircooled and with direct injection. In the wake of the war, the market was in need of simple, inexpensive and reliable engines with low fuel consumption. Production took off rapidly and engines were soon exported to other Mediterranean countries.
In 2000 VM Motori, together with Detroit Diesel Corporation, became part of the DaimlerChrysler Group. In 2003 the share packet of the Company was defined as follows: 51% Penske Group and 49% DailmerChrysler Group.
The Cento plant has continued to grow and now covers an area of 85,000 mq of which 50,000 mq are roofed. Annual production capacity is for over 80,000 engines. Our mission, to which over 1000 employees remain devoted, is still the same: to design and produce quality products.
I ordered my wife a 2005 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4 CRD with the 22G package, Trailer Tow Group, Trak-Lok Rear Axle, Tire Pressure Monitoring Display, Sirius Satellite Radio, Power Sunroof, Heated Front Seats, & Engine Block Heater. It's Bright Silver Metallic with Slate Gray Leather. Ordered March 12, 2005, but may not get it for a bit as it appears the plant was built-out for April. May wait & re-order if it's going to be really close to the 2006 modely year, but I'd like to enjoy the better fuel economy now. Her 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 w/3.7L V6 is a GAS HOG....barely & rarely gets low 18's. :mad:
Greg
Hey Tireman !
You talk like you just bought one of them thar things. :thatfunny
:D :D
: Eddie : :cool:
gsbrockman
04-07-2005, 03:13 PM
Boy, I tell ya what....this site will let anything sign-up ! :D
Just kiddin' ol buddy !
Glad to see ya here !
Greg
Ramcat
04-14-2005, 01:22 AM
Daimler-Chrysler needs to be in the forefront of new high-mileage technology. By that I mean not just diesels but diesel/electric and gasoline/electric vehicles.
GM is doing very little in those areas and Ford is doing less than that. D/C can score beaucoup environmental points over GM and Ford now.
Tony Montana
06-19-2005, 02:49 AM
I'm very excited that they are doing a diesel Jeep! I wish more diesel vehicles (especially diesel/electric hybrids like the new Ram HEV) were offered to the American public. But I guess Joe average isn't quite ready for a diesel yet.
However, I expected this Jeep to get a lot better mileage. My truck (2003 Dodge CTD crew cab long box 4x4) gets 20-22.5 with mixed city and highway driving. The CTD not only has twice the displacement of the Jeep, but the truck weighs over 1.5 times as much and would appear to have a higher drag coefficent as well. What am I missing? Are the automatic transmission and full time four wheel drive to blame?
gsbrockman
06-19-2005, 10:07 AM
However, I expected this Jeep to get a lot better mileage. My truck (2003 Dodge CTD crew cab long box 4x4) gets 20-22.5 with mixed city and highway driving.
I see where you're coming from. My '03 RAM 2500 CTD H/O six-speed Crew Cab 4x4 SWB got 22.7 mpg to Myrtle Beach, SC last summer.
The mileage is not that bad for a 4200+ lb small SUV. I believe the improvement factor in mpg is best absorbed by previous KJ (Liberty) owners that had the 3.7L V6 engines and 4x4 (such as myself). Cruising range on a 20.5 gal tank in the gasser was, at most, around 270--280 miles...this gave you a nice little cushion in which to start looking for a re-fueling station. 300 or 310 miles per tank was really pushing it. The CRD can easily get you 200 more miles per tank.....at least 470--480 miles per tank between fuel-ups.
My wife's CRD only has around 2400 miles on it to date. I'm hoping as it hits 12k to 15k miles it will be "broken in" and see gradual mileage improvements along the way. If it does not go up any more, I'm still quite happy with the improvement over the GAS HAWG 3.7L it replaced.
Greg
Tony Montana
06-19-2005, 01:34 PM
Yeah, I can see if you were switching from the V6 to the CRD you'd be more than happy with increased mileage! I'll be interested to know how your mileage is after it breaks in. Please give us an update when it does.
I didn't mean to imply that the mileage was bad; it just isn't what I expected. We've been looking at the Beetle TDI and maybe it's just tainted my views on mileage! They're apples and oranges though.
