2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Due For 8-speed Auto

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Jeep's new Grand Cherokee will get its first update in the coming year, and among the mechanical tweaks will be a new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

Replacing the five-speed auto currently offered with the big SUV and 4WD, the new transmission is expected to be paired with the Grand Cherokee's petrol and diesel V6 engines.

According to Britain's Autocar magazine, the eight-speed will also make its way to the V8 Hemi models - a move which could help the big 5.7 litre engine shave a good chunk off its 14.1 l/100km fuel economy.

Importantly, the big Jeep's CO2 emissions would also improve with the arrival of the eight-speed transmission.

“Our approach to lowering CO2 is a deployment of lots of different technologies,” Jeep Europe boss Joe Veltri told Autocar.

“Hybrids, improved aerodynamics, more diesels, eight-speed gearboxes and nine-speed gearboxes for front-wheel-drive cars will all help us improve economy and CO2.”

News of an eight-speed auto for the Grand Cherokee follows confirmation that the new Chrysler 300C will also gain the new, more fuel-efficient transmission.

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