Unofficially Confirmed: Next Jeep Wrangler Getting 8-Speed Automatic and 3.0L EcoDiesel

Autoblog is reporting via an “an anonymous source within FCA” that the JK successor will hit dealer showrooms with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 and the ZF eight-speed automatic. In other words, you can look forward to a remarkable diesel engine being paired with an excellent automatic in the next Wrangler for 2018.

It’s news like this that gives me goosebumps.

I have experienced this drivetrain configuration in the 2015 Ram 1500 Tradesman EcoDiesel. Compared with the EcoBoost F-150 I have tested, the EcoDiesel paired with the eight-speed blows Ford away. That Ram hauls ass and a heavy payload. What more can you ask for?

All that greatness I experienced in the Ram should translate rather well to the next-gen Wrangler. The diesel’s low-end torque will be praised by the Trail-Rated warriors. The efficient powertrain configuration should also mean fuel economy figures hovering around a glorious 30 mpg.

Autoblog attempted to get official confirmation from Jeep spokesperson Gabrielle Schulte about the diesel and eight-speed combo, but the media outlet was met with the tired “FCA does not comment on future product” canned response.

So for the time being, I’ll call this bit of news “unofficially confirmed” until that anonymous source is replaced with someone who has a name and is willing to go on the record.

In Autoblog’s article, they do bring our attention to an SEC filing from last November stating that FCA plans “to use this [ZF eight-speed] transmission in all of our rear-wheel-drive vehicles, except for heavy-duty versions of the Ram pick-up truck and the SRT Viper.” As for the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel, two years ago Mike Manley, Jeep CEO, told Ward’s Auto that the Wrangler was “on the radar” to get diesel power.

Get your checkbooks ready, folks. The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is going to be a must-have.

Discuss this breaking news on the forum. >>

Update: In reading the Facebook comments, it appears people are concerned a 2018 Wrangler with an eight-speed and a diesel would surpass $50,000. People like Facebook commenter Danny Langan say, “Guaranteed it will only be available in the top trim level, and bring the vehicle cost to over $50K.”

My reply to that was, “$31,260 for a 2015 Ram 1500 Tradesman with that powertrain combo. For a Wrangler I think they’d offer it in a lower trim. I wouldn’t worry.”

What do you think? Will this robust powertrain be available for Rubicons only?

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