Which Chrysler group models would you most like to see with a CRD (turbodiesel) option? My vote is to make it an option in the Charger/Magnum/300. That new Mercedes 3.0 V-6 (in the E 320 CDI) is pretty sweet. They already offer it on the Euro-spec version of the Chrysler 300.  

My choices

1, Dakota Crew Cab
2, Magnum
3, Wrangler
4, Caravan  

Lets see--I'll choose making diesels the standard engine for all Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles.  We might have a slight issue with the Viper, but I think they could source an engine from Audi that would suffice.  You know--like the 5.5 V12 R10 TDI that is winning Le Mans endurance races.  Of course, such an engine would have to be modified for production--but hey!--they've got an 8.3 V10 gasser in it right now.  Surely, a 5.5 V12 with 800 lbs of torque could do that car justice, and would fit nicely under the hood.

I know--such a venture would be a strategic risk to say the least, but lately DCX has been quite bullish on diesels.  In fact, they are even using the "D" word on national television now.  I thought that would never happen in America.  I bet they have the EPA all tore up.  They'll probably have to come out with another set of rules that unfairly targets diesels that will continue to keep them out of our precious, gasser market.

Let's see...Diesels must reduce NOx and PM by 90% in three years that should have deterred them, but Daimler is still bringing them.  What can we do next to protect GM from having to retool and give America updated products???...EPA  

I can't wait until DCX starts doing "SRT-D" performance models. I can't remember exactly where I read it, but I read somewhere that SRT is considering doing high-performance diesel models.  What would be really insane is a Chrysler 300 SRT-D with that new Mercedes 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with 538 lb./ft. of torque. That would be awesome.  

I asked Drz about a future dakota with a diesel and they responded that there were no plans in the future for a dakota diesel.  

I kind of wonder if there's a future for the Dakota period! I've heard it's not selling too hot. They're smooth & quiet, but that's about the best I can say for them. They're overweight, underpowered, and prone to overheating. I've experienced this first-hand.  

I was wanting to see the Gladiator pickup Jeep teased the market with that had a 2.8 CRD in it. Now that Gladiator has been canceled from production again another cool product dumped and the Compass Crapper etc. is marketed. I bought a new Gmc Duramax DCX lost my sale!!!!!  

How about a magnum with the old 5.9 cummins. If the pimp my ride guys can do it to a 60's impala it can be done with the magnum wagon. Or maybe this is a good idea for a project.  

Consider me a gear-head affectionado...if it has a tach, a Hurst T-Shift and occasionally 4 wheels on the ground i'm all over it!  Don't know how i survived w/o the SPEED channel.

Anywho, my two-cents is a CRD has to be put in two vehicles primarily: the Wrangler and Dakota. The Wrangler would benefit from diesels low end torque which suits the Wrangler's intent and design to a "T". I feel the Dakota would benefit from finally having some grunt instead of the vastly underpowered 3.9V6 joke, MUCH better gas mileage, durability, and putting the stamp on the Dakota as THEE American mid-size p/u truck to get.

As a side note, i'm not sure who is buying Commandos and Compass', but i don't hear/see/feel a swelling of positive support for these vehicles, and Cerberus should canx them and accept the financial loss and move on, vice keeping production lines open w/vehicles that aren't selling, and taking much needed capital from making continual improvements to the Wrangler, Patriot (old Cherokee wannabe, that should never have been discontinued), Liberty (for the more softer, gentler side of 'roughing it'), and the Grand Cherokee.

For my final rant, the entire Jeep culture is a true iconic American driving experience that should not be diluted with inferior products creeping into the product line. Ford has their Mustang, Chevy had/will have their Camaro, Dodge has their Charger...Jeep is embedded into our culture and will thrive if they concentrate on their core models, the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. Everything else DCX/Cerebus is trying to garner broader/wider appeal to the brand.  

We, in the 4X4 world, have long been waiting to to see the Wrangler TJ, and now the new JK, come with the CRD option.   We have alway wondered why, if it was so good for the Liberty, was it not good enough to put in the Wrangler.  I just got my GC '07' and took it wheeling in Ely, Nevada where it performed quite well.  

If I could find a Chrysler 300M with a diesel option I would seriously consider buying it for my wife.  She's told me repeatedly how much safer she feels in our trucks because (God forbid) if someone hits her the diesel won't explode due to a higher flash point than gas.  We had a bad accident happen while I was home on leave and the trucks involved (diesel, of course) didn't catch fire; only the gasoline powered vehicle burned.

Now when I said a diesel option in the 300m, I don't mean that de-tuned Mercedes engine they did the review on a few months back.  If they're going to do it then it needs to compete directly with VW and their 35+ MPG sedans.  There is NO reason why it can't be done and still meet EPA requirements and get decent mileage.

I'd also like to see the Dakota and the Wrangler get a decent turbocharged CRD, but again not something that's been de-tuned like the Liberty engine.  The engines offered for the Dakota were either horribly underpowered (the V6) or horribly overpowered (the V8).  Either way gas mileage was bad, the only difference was the V8 needed new tires more often from a heavy right foot.




Kris