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. Prior to this, the Grand Cherokee with a 3.6-litre petrol engine under the hood was also imported to India a few months back.
Jeep may launch Wrangler and Grand Cherokee with petrol engines
The Wrangler and Grand Cherokee are both only available with diesel engine in India. The only petrol option is the top-of-the-line high performance Grand Cherokee SRT which is offered with a 6.4-litre V8. This 3.6-litre PentaStar Engine produces around 285bhp and 353Nm of torque, which is common between both models. Gearbox options include an eight-speed as well as proper off-road package as standard. Its closest rival will the range from Mercedes-Benz which makes use of a 3.0-litre V6 petrol that produces 333bhp/480Nm in the GLE and GLS.
Manufacturers have begun to offer petrol power in previously unheard of segment off late, due to a growing consumer demand and reduced difference between the price of diesel and petrol. This change in trend 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 xxx diesel 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.
