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A Diesel Chrysler 300? Its Being Considered

By William Maley

· 2,346 views

By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

April 3, 2013

Chrysler is on a bit of a diesel kick by introducing three different vehicles with the choice of a diesel engine: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ram 1500, and the new Ram ProMaster. But there could be a forth model getting a diesel engine.

Chrysler president and CEO Saad Chehab told Wards Auto that the company is investigating the possibility of a diesel powered Chrysler 300, but a decision is way off. In Europe, the Chrysler 300 is sold as the Lancia Thema and comes with the option of a 3.0L Diesel V6 built by VM Motori, the same company that will be building the diesel engine for the Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500.

“I think that we are in talks about the diesels because the Thema has a diesel in Europe anyway. It’s a matter of how much the customer is willing to pay for that premium. That’s the only issue with it,” said Chehab.

The 2014 Grand Cherokee will use a 3.0L Turbodiesel V6 making 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic. This engine adds about $7,500 to the price of a Grand Cherokee.

Source: Wards Auto

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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    Enthusiast

    William Maley

    Editor

    There is no way a diesel costs $7500 more to produce..... just no way at all.

    Not to produce, but to equip. Its $4,500 for the engine, but then you have add another $3,000 for the Luxury Group II. No, you cannot get just the diesel alone (I've tried on Jeep's configurator).

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    • Veteran

    Robert Hall

    Premium Subscriber
    (edited)

    Profit grab. $4500 for the engine option seems excessive.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar

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    • Newbie

    ocnblu

    Members
    (edited)

    It is a fantastic idea, but to price it so no one buys it defeats the purpose.

    Base model to base model, the VW Beetle TDi is $3,500 more than the 2.5 gas. In addition to the engine, satellite radio is included with TDi.

    I feel it is well worth it for the diesel engine over the 2.5L 5.

    Just another perspective.

    Edited by ocnblu

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    • Newbie

    pow

    Members

    Profit grab. $4500 for the engine option seems excessive.

    Modern diesels have pricey fuel-injection systems, turbos, balance shafts, and exhaust treatments to be on par with gasoline engines in terms of NVH and emissions.

    The Grand Cherokee's $4,500 diesel premium shrinks to $2,305 when compared to the Hemi, which produces less torque than the diesel. You break even in fewer than 2 years ($2,897 annual fuel cost at 22 mpg, $4.25 diesel, and 15,000 miles vs. $4,285 at 14 mpg, $4 gas, and 15,000 miles), and diesels tend to have higher residuals. The total cost is much lower with the diesel, which is why the Hemi and Pentastar models will likely have way more incentives.

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    • Community Regular

    regfootball

    Members

    by the way, the 300 is a perfect car to offer the diesel on. I bet it would hum wonderfully at speed.

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    • Grand Master

    G. David Felt

    Members

    Great Idea, Poor execution on the Price. I do think there is a profit grab here and when sales do not materialize, they will say, "See the US does not like Diesels!" But that is not true, we just do not like being ripped off.

    Great Idea, outlandish Price, equals DEAD ON ARRIVAL!

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