2016 Jeep Cherokee lands new 2.2 diesel in Europe: Australian launch still to be confirmed

Produced at the company’s Pratola Serra plant in Italy, the new Euro 6-compliant engine is offered in two states of tune: 136kW and 147kW, both offering 440Nm of torque at 2500rpm.

Matched to a nine-speed auto and all-wheel drive exclusively, the new engine will be offered in Europe alongside an existing 104kW manual front-wheel drive combination.

Depending on the model selected, the 2.2 diesel Cherokee can be matched to either the Active Drive I or Active Drive II systems, the former offering a rear-axle disconnect system for improved fuel consumption and the latter adding a two-speed power transfer unit for 2:92:1 low-range capability and hill-descent control.

Under Europe’s NEDC system, both of the new 2.2 diesel options list fuel consumption figures of 4.7L/100km and an emissions rating of 150g/km, along with 0-100km/h times of 8.5 and 8.8 seconds respectively.

Australian debut still to be confirmed

Joining the company’s MultiJet II engine family, the new 2.2 litre diesel replaces the 125kW/350Nm 2.0 litre engine already available overseas and in Australia.

A local debut for this new mill has not been confirmed, however.

Speaking with CarAdvice today, Fiat Chrysler Australia's Andrew Chesterton said that, for now, the local Cherokee range will continue with its existing 2.0 litre diesel option.

“From our perspective, we have a vehicle that has been well received and offers class-leading towing capacity (2393kg braked), and it fills that diesel niche for us perfectly,” he said.

“Be that as it may, if there’s demand for the 2.2 litre engine; we never rule anything out. All of our models are in a constant state of review. But if there’s demand for a bigger capacity with more towing (2500kg for the new engine), then that’s something we’ll look at.”

Above: buyers seeking greater towing capacity can also look towards the larger Grand Cherokee.

Chesterton added that buyers shopping in the Jeep range for greater towing can consider the larger Grand Cherokee diesel models, driven by a 184kW/570Nm 3.0 litre diesel with a 3500kg braked towing capacity.

“The jump between a Cherokee diesel and a Grand Cherokee isn’t staggering, for a lot more towing. So we fill all of those steps along the path,” Chesterton said.

The jump means an additional $5500 to move from the $49,000 Cherokee Limited to the $54,500 Grand Cherokee Laredo, with higher-specification models including the $56,500 Blackhawk, the $64,000 Limited, the $74,000 Overland and the $79,000 Summit. (All prices exclude on-road costs.)