The 3.2 is an untested version of the Pentastar which has become an ok motor. The thing is that all of the computerized controls and new features of the KL will be in every Jeep model around 2016.

As far as not buying first year, Jeep wants to hear otherwise because they need this to be successful.

 

If it's that important, why are they trying so hard to screw it up? "Let's make something as complicated and new as possible" is not conducive with "reputation for reliability". The damn thing weighs as much as a JK, why not put the 3.6 and simplify everything? Probably get better economy with the larger engine, and maybe even do with a less complicated transmission...

 

I'm going to run a full size air dam / body kit, and put a TDI in my XJ. Think I can crack 30mpg? Ha ha.

 

V6 leaked like a sieve. Rear main seal was rope. Intake manifold sealed horribly.

CAD axles didn't engage always.

The System Sentry on the dash was junk.

The wiring harness from the body to liftgate busted.

Front axle housings were jigged wrong giving negative camber in the right front.

The shift indicator bezels folded up like cheap Hallmark cards.

The 2 door models seats leaned back so far customers hated them.

AC made a loud noise due to the type of hose they used.

Lots of noisy Dana 35 rear axles.

I could go out in the garage and get my 3" thick book of TSBs but I hope I've made my point.

 

Yes easily lol

 

The complicated transmission may be a necessity. They need to have a CAFE compliant line of vehicles which means they need to maintain an average fleet mpg. This may be tricky for jeep as they don't make any cars to help balance their CAFE numbers out. I'm guessing the high number of gears in the tranny are so they can jump through the hoops to get good EPA mileage ratings for their window sticker.

A perfectly usable 5 speed would lower mileage, they need all those gear ratios to get good mileage in non real world conditions. It's lame, but those are the regulations automotive manufacturers have to deal with nowadays.

 

Right but the over complicated transmission isn't yielding the gas mileage required for CAFE standards.

 

CAFE stands for "Corporate Average Fuel Economy". Chrysler group LLC has to meet these targets (or pay a fine and build it into the price of the vehicle) not Jeep specifically. That being said Chrysler's best selling models are also some of its least fuel efficient (Jeeps, Rams, Mini-Vans, Charger/300s/Challengers) so unless they can sell a ton of Darts and Fiat 500s they have to make their vehicles more fuel efficient or convince their customers to shell out the extra money to cover the cost of the fines.


I could see a 6 or 7 speed but a 9 speed wouldn't likely get into 9th gear at the speeds the EPA tests are done at. (I've heard the V6 KL doesn't get into 9th until 90mph+ down hill and the 4-cyl never hits 9th).

 

I'm familiar with the CAFE requirements, and with the 3.6L Pentagram there'd be nothing wrong with a 7- or 8-speed, ZF has been making slushboxes in that configuration for many years with great success. The 9-speed was developed specifically for the KL and Range Rover Evoque and seems to be performing rather poorly. A very bad decision for a vehicle that's supposed to do well for Chrysler.

Advertised 30 and real-world 15 I don't think is unrealistic testing, something's clearly wrong with these vehicles.

Close... but not quite. CAFE places vehicles in four different categories, and each category must meet its own target. Darts and Fiat 500s won't at all effect the other categories. The avenue they're taking with the half-ton Ram is actually making some amount of sense (putting a diesel in it). Maybe they could further increase economy by reducing weight on account of all the chrome most Dodge Rams roll around with

Which really isn't a surprise at all. The 3.2L Pentagram makes very similar torque to our 4.0L, and the platform it's installed into is about 1000 lbs heavier (30%)! I'd like to see the torque curve for this thing, but as it makes the peak torque at a ricey 4400 RPM I doubt it's anything like a straight six, which is the only thing I'd consider driving a double-overdrive transmission.

 

Real world results don't matter unfortunately. There is actual testing and the numbers they post on a widow sticker are what the tests yield. It is possible to achieve the numbers they achieved however driving in that manner in the real world is likely to get you rear ended.

 

Now how do I make an invisible air dam so I don't look like an absolute chooch? maybe a sway bar disconnect style thing but for the air dam...."I want my MPG!"

Why doesn't Jeep make a 2 door 2000 pound smart car on a TDI engine that puts out 55 MPG and then they can keep all their petrol hogs?

I drive 55-65 on the highway all the time. Other people can **** off. My truck is taller than them.

 

10 years I'll still have my XJ.

 

I have the 6 speed in my wk2 overland overland and frickin love it... I can set the cruise on my MJ for 80 on the interstate and be running 2.5rpm... huge difference in towing performance and fuel milage... think like like a big rig! Love more speeds


Somebody hasn't seen the leaked pictures of the jeep car test riding on the highway!

 

Not too shabby.....

 

Cherokee and Grand Cherokee are different vehicles lol

That WK2 looks like it has the factory ELSDs front and rear.