Chrysler's First Full-size Diesel-powered SUV
...Chrysler Group will announce today its plans to produce its first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep® Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007.

"DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U.S. market," said Craig Love, Vice President -- Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. "The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range." ...
source (http://www.4x4review.com/news/GCherokee-CRDDiesel.asp)

I can't wait to see how these wheel on the trail.

I wonder if it will be available in the 5 states the engine failed emissions tests in. Supposedly the reason for the failure was because of a process to make the diesel cleaner was not approved by the EPA, so that process couldn't be used in the emissions testing.

Can anyone verify that this is actually true or if I have fallen victim to untrue rumors?

If it is true, anyone have any input on whether the EPA every approved this?

As for the performance on the trail, I'd imagine it'd perform just as well as the gas powered models. Power has never really been much of an issue in a Grand Cherokee if you go with any flavor of the V8s offered through the years.

As for the performance on the trail, I'd imagine it'd perform just as well as the gas powered models. Power has never really been much of an issue in a Grand Cherokee if you go with any flavor of the V8s offered through the years.

It usually comes down to driver will-power.

Very true. Off-roading is largely a function of the driver.

But what I was getting at with the same driver, I don't think the diesel would enable that driver to do anything s/he couldn't do with the gas engine -- at least with respect to off-roading.

I could be wrong though...