Fiat diesel Chryslers and Jeeps soon?

Fiat diesel powertrains could replace existing Volkswagen technology in a range of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge (CJD) models within the "model year".

Speaking at last Friday's media conference (more here), Chrysler Australia boss Gerry Jenkins stated he believed the beleaguered US giant would capitalise upon its new Fiat partnership rapidly. He stated he believed Fiat diesels would power CJD models "within the model year".

Volkswagen diesels currently power range of models across the CJD product portfolio. However, the engines are no longer state of the art, featuring pumpe duse injection rather than the latest high-pressure direct-injection common-rail systems.

Fiat has a number of engine/transmission combinations that could replace the VW engines in models such as Jeep Patriot and Compass, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Avenger and Caliber.

Answering the Carsales Network's question on when Fiat diesel engine technology will filter down to Chrysler products, Jenkins replied: "I haven't got that answer, but... I would say within the cycle now, certainly within the model year."

"We currently offer Volkswagen diesels, as you know, in our Caliber and also in our Patriot. I could see that in the not too distant future being replaced by Fiat technology," he concluded.

'Model year' is at times an amorphous term in the automotive industry. While Fiat-powered CJD models are no doubt being fast-tracked, they may not arrive Down Under to Jenkins' strict timetable. It's our guess that the CJD boss is referring to model year vehicles currently under development. This could translate to mid-2011 or later delivery dates locally.

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