The 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel will go on sale
Stateside before the end of the year, marking the first time a diesel-powered
Wrangler is offered in North America. Interestingly, the 3.0-liter
EcoDiesel engine will only be available on the four-door Unlimited model,
something fans of the two-door version might not appreciate. According to Jeep,
the Italian-built V6 is the most fuel-efficient engine ever used in its SUV,
enabling “the highest driving range on one tank of fuel ever for Wrangler.”
Jeep expects its range to exceed 805 km,
despite the fact that the Wrangler EcoDiesel’s fuel tank is smaller (18.3
gallons versus 21.5 gallons). While we’ll have to wait a little longer for the
EPA fuel economy ratings, it’s good to know that engine stop-start (ESS)
technology comes as standard. The new power plant is also the highest
torque-rated unit ever fitted to the iconic off-roader, offering up to 599 Nm of torque and 260 HP of maximum power.
The turbodiesel unit is mated to a TorqueFlite 8HP75
eight-speed automatic transmission, calibrated for low rpm shifts “and the on-
and off-road rigors of Jeep Wrangler duty.” According to the carmaker, there
are more than 40 individual maps to optimize shift points for fuel economy,
performance and 4×4 capability. All Wrangler EcoDiesel
models are equipped with third-generation Dana 44 front and rear heavy-duty
axles, as well as a 3.73 axle ratio. As with gas-powered Wranglers,
two transfer cases are offered. The range-topping Rubicon gets a Rock-Trac
two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio while Sport and
Sahara models pack the Command-Trac part-time two-speed transfer case with a
2.72:1 low-range gear ratio.
The 2020 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel goes on sale in the
fourth quarter of 2019 (the exact date remains unknown) with a starting price
of US$ 39,290 for the base Sport trim, including a US$ 1,495 destination charge. That
makes it US$ 4,000 more expensive than the Sport model powered by the 3.6-liter
gasoline V6.
