Grand Cherokee gets Fiat flavour

AN eight-speed automatic promising greener going is driving an early change to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

jeep grand cherokee

AN eight-speed automatic promising greener going is driving an early change to the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The new American SUV has barely been in Australia for a year but already there is talk of making it more efficient.

The 2013 model year is being shortened in the US to clear the decks for a new diesel-auto combination that will bring an eight-speed self-shifter to what is called the 2014 model.

The Grand Cherokee now comes with a five-speed automatic but, like many other brands including BMW and Audi, Jeep is adding gears to improve efficiency and cut fuel use and CO2 emissions.

Timing is apparently set for January, although there is no confirmation from Fiat Chrysler Group in Australia.

American sources say the driveline change will combine a ZF eight-speed automatic, built in the US, with a 3.0-litre turbo diesel from VM Motori, a Fiat-owned company.

It's one of a growing number of synergies expected as Fiat applies its muscle through the Chrysler group it now controls.

But the change for Australia will be less dramatic, because the Grand Cherokee already comes with a diesel engine choice in addition to the new-age 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine that was developed specifically for use in the latest model.

"We already offer a diesel-engine variant of the Grand Cherokee here in Australia, which is currently mated to a five-speed transmission," says Jeep's Lenore Fletcher.

"This variant is extremely popular, with demand sometimes outstripping supply.

"We have several updates planned for the Grand Cherokee in the next 12 months, and we are certainly interested in this new transmission."