The 2014 Jeep Cherokee which was unveiled at the New York Auto Show last month has made its Asian debut at the on going Auto Shanghai 2013.
[The Fiat Freemont (right) is an apt candidate to donate its engine to the Jeep Cherokee]
The new Jeep Cherokee is a important model in the American SUV specalist's international lineup and bets big on markets like China and Europe. On the sidelines of Auto Shanghai 2013, Mr. Mike Manley, the head of Jeep brand, stated that the Cherokee is an "obvious choice" to be made locally in China. He also added that the SUV would employ Fiat's oil burner to make inroads in Europe.
The diesel powertrain in question is the 2.0 litre MultiJet which powers the Fiat Freemont. The MultiJet family of engines have received wide accolades worldwide. We Indians term the 1.3 litre MultiJet as the national engine of our country since it powers more than a dozen models across different brands.
The 2.0 litre MultiJet is available in two states of tune - 138 bhp and 168 bhp. With this power ratings, the motor is well suited for the Jeep Cherokee. In addition, the European market is expected to get the 2.4 litre TrailHawk petrol engine.
The Fiat-Chrysler Group has announced that it will launch the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler in India in the coming months. The Cherokee could follow suit in the future and if it does, we can safely expect that the 2.0 litre diesel engine to be the powertrain of choice.
The Cherokee will venture into the European market in later part of this year while the SUV is expected to be launched in China in the third quarter, initially as an imported car.
[Source: Europe.autonews.com]
