After a dalliance with Volkswagen, Chrysler has returned to Mercedes-Benz as a source of diesel engines, this time for the European Jeep Patriot mid-size SUV.
Fiat now handles Chrysler-Jeep imports here in the UK and the new engine brings improved fuel economy, greater torque and is accompanied by improved trim levels.
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The outgoing two-litre Volkswagen diesel engine has been replaced with a 163bhp 2.2 CRD Mercedes engine “offering a significantly wider spread of torque available from lower RPM”, according to Jeep.
The new engine has common-rail injection technology and is a turbocharged I4 delivering an extra 23bhp and 10Nm more torque with combined fuel consumption of 42.8mpg.
Reduced CO2 emissions move the car to a lower UK annual toad tax band (H) which also reduces showroom tax.
The more powerful engine increases the vehicle’s maximum speed from 117mph to 125mph and reduces the 0-62mph acceleration time to 10.7 seconds. Maximum towing weight rises from 1,500 kg to 2,000 kg (braked trailer).
Compared to the outgoing vehicle, Sport trim now offers improvements such as body coloured door handles, hill start assist, leather wrapped hand brake and ‘active’ head restraints (front row).
Sport + versions add cruise control, deep-tint sunscreen glass, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, uconnect phone (Bluetooth handsfree communication and voice command) and rear view auto-dimming mirror with integrated microphone.
Limited models add hill start assist, leather wrapped hand brake, ‘active’ head restraints (front row) and a six-way power driver seat, while the Overland version also gets 18-inch aluminium wheels, leather trimmed seats with embroidered ‘Overland’ logo, additional front seat side airbags, rear park assist, tyre pressure monitoring display and chrome finish door sill scuff plates.
A 2.4 petrol engine remains available for some versions. Chrysler previously bought in 2.2-litre Mercedes diesels for the European PT Cruiser, which was, for a brief time, assembled over here by Magna Steyr.
