Michigan Jeep Dealers Learn Diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee on the Way; Other Debuts at NYIAS?

April 25, 2011 - PRLog -- DETROIT, M.I. – Michigan Jeep dealers are in the same situation with customers wanting better fuel economy in their vehicles. Gas prices are rising all across Michigan, as with the rest of the U.S., and the demand for better mpg on vehicles is increasing.
The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) saw many different vehicles that were created for higher fuel efficiency while other vehicles shown were redesigned and upgraded from their previous models.
One vehicle Michigan Jeep dealers were interested in seeing may have been the rumored diesel Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, and they were not disappointed as Chrysler unveiled the powerful vehicle.
“The all-new 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the ultimate performance SUV, delivering a combination of Jeep capability and utility, world-class performance, luxury and refinement, and advanced innovative technology,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO of the Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC, in a Chrysler press release. “Our new benchmark performance SUV effectively broadens the Grand Cherokee portfolio, and will continue to draw new customers into Jeep showrooms.”
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has been engineered by Chrysler Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team. The new diesel is powered by an all-new 6.4-liter HEMI V-8 engine which comes standard with fuel saver technology. The new engine delivers an estimated 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. Also another added feature to the SRT8 is a trailer tow rating of 5,000 lbs.
Chrysler was not the only automaker unveiling fuel efficient vehicles. Other companies included:
•   General Motors revealed its 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and stated at the NYIAS that the first version released into the U.S. market will be an “eco” version that will get an estimated 38 mpg on the highway.
•   Ford Motor Corp revealed a version of the Taurus: the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO. It will have an 11 percent higher mpg with its twin-turbo SHO Ecoboost V6 engine; estimated mpg at 31 highway.
•   Honda with its 2012 Civic Hybrid model, 44 mpg; Nissan Versa with 18 percent increase in fuel efficiency; Subaru’s 2012 Impreza with about 30 percent increase in mpg; and even a 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid with an estimated 33 mpg.
Automotive dealers, like Michigan Jeep dealers, may have also enjoyed seeing new vehicles that will be coming to their lots in the future.
Other vehicles and concept models that were released at the NYIAS include:
•   2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec
•   2011 Chrysler 200 S
•   2012 Dodge Avenger R/T
•   2012 Audi A7
•   2012 Volkswagen Beetle
•   2012 Jaguar XF
•   Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class
•   Lexus LF-Gh Concept
With the demand for better fuel economy, it is no surprise that many automakers included grand reveals of more efficient vehicles at a large event like the NYIAS.
Per a government mandate that requires a 30 percent increase in fuel efficiency by 2016 to 34.1 mpg, automakers may have a lot of work to do over the next few years, but they seem to moving toward the goal well at this point. Look for a future article on this topic coming soon to MI Auto Times.
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[Source(s): Jalopnik, The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press]