Jeep to launch petrol variants of Wrangler and Grand Cherokee

Jeep India has just recently imported to India a petrol variant of the 2017 Wrangler Unlimited for homologation (in MOAB trim) and is likely to launch sometime next year. However, this is not the first petrol model to be imported to India as a few months back; the Grand Cherokee with a 3.6-litre petrol engine under the hood was also imported.

Both the vehicles from the Jeep line-up are diesel. The only petrol option is the top-of-the-line high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT which is offered with a thumping big 6.4-litre V8. This 3.6-litre Pentastar Engine produces around 285bhp/353Nm which is common across both models. Gearbox options include an eight-speed as well as a proper off-road package as standard. Its closest rival will be the range from Mercedes-Benz which makes use of a 3.0-litre V6 petrol that produces 333bhp/480Nm in the GLE and GLS.

Off late, manufacturers have begun to offer petrol power in previously unheard of segment due to growing consumer demand and reduced difference between the price of diesel and petrol. This shift has also been pushed by the Delhi diesel ban which was in place for a significant part of 2016. In such a light it seems a logical move from the American manufacturer to provide the petrol engine variant for their line-up in India.

The Wrangler in India is currently offered in the Unlimited, four-door variant. Under the hood is the 2.8-litre common-rail turbodiesel engine making 197bhp and 460Nm. Mated to a five-speed automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. The Grand Cherokee, on the other hand, gets a 3.0-litre V6 Ecodiesel engine with a power output of either 240bhp or a 286bhp, coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission. No further details are available from the manufacturer in this regard, but keep looking this space for the latest development of the Jeep vehicles.