No diesel-powered Jeep Wrangler for Filipinos

MANILA: Recently, Jeep launched the Wrangler SUV in the Philippines. The 4x4 was one of the most anticipated SUVs in the country, and the arrival has excited one and all. However, spoiling the party for some is the information coming from Jeep that the American automaker will not be offering the 4x4 with a diesel motor in the Philippines. Francis C.

Ang, who is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Auto Nation Group, has illuminated the fact that the all-new Wrangler will only house the 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four motor. There is also another gas-fed 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 coming in the new future.

“Since most of FCA's key markets prefer gasoline over diesel, having to ship diesel-powered models to countries such as the Philippines does not make any business sense,” mentioned Ang. China, the USA, and parts of Europe which are the biggest markets for the Fiat-Chrysler group, diesel engines are not in demand, and gasoline-fed mills are very well quenching the thirst of customers.

Interestingly enough, Jeep offers a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine with the Wrangler in the European market. The move may backfire for Jeep as more and more customers in Europe are going for hybrid and electric vehicles.

Made of all-aluminium, the diesel engine offered in Europe is called MultiJet II. Power figures measure at 200 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 450 Nm. The powertrain then comprises of an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 4WD. The engine is also equipped with auto start-stop technology for improved fuel efficiency.

Also Read:- Moparized Jeep Wrangler heading to 2019 SEMA Show