Jeep announces the specifications for the upgraded 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 that is coming to the new Jeep Wrangler JL in 2019. The latest generation of the Wrangler makes its debut this week at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. Jeep will initially offer two engines in the Wrangler: a 2.0L turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder and a naturally aspirated 3.6L Pentastar V6. The juicy piece of the news that could be very relevant to the pickup truck guys and gals is the upgrades 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel that now make more power than before. The new turbo-diesel will be coming to the Jeep Wrangler in about a year from now.
Here is the scoop. The announced output rating for the new engine is: 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. This is 20 more horses and 22 more lb-ft of torque than the original 3.0-liter EcoDiesel. The new engine will offer Engine Stop-Start (ESS) as standard, and it will be mated to a new/upgraded 8-speed automatic transmission.
How did FCA and Jeep get the additional power? Minimizing internal engine friction is the name of the game. Jeep says, the upgrades include the following.
- new turbocharger with a low-friction bearing.
- low friction pistons (for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions)
- new injector nozzles
- new piston “bowl” design
- new glow plug design with integrated combustion pressure sensor to optimize combustion
Jeep did not elaborate on the amount or percentage of fuel efficiency or emissions improvements. However, clearly the horsepower has increased by between 7-8% over the preview version of the engine.
Jeep says the latest version of the EcoDiesel V6 is produced by FCA-owned V.M. Motori and adapted by FCA US engineers to meet the NAFTA region’s regulatory requirements. Considering the recent US EPA emissions investigation, the next version of the EcoDiesel will be closely scrutinized for compliance to all applicable emissions regulations.
The 8-speed automatic transmission has been updated to handle the additional torque, according to Jeep. The 7th and 8th gears are overdrive ratios that should offer improved highway efficiency and decreased noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH).
This news comes at a time of intensifying competition in the half-ton diesel-powered pickup truck segment. Ford announced that the F-150 will be offered with an optional 3.0L turbo-diesel V6 and a 10-speed automatic transmission next year. Although. the power output for the Ford’s engine has not been released as of this writing. FCA US is putting their foot down with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. How will Ford respond?
Ford’s 3.0L turbo-diesel in the Land Rover and Range Rover SUVs is currently rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque.
