2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude
There are reports the next-gen Wrangler will get the 3.0-liter diesel and an eight-speed transmission.

The new Jeep Wrangler will receive both the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 motor and an eight-speed transmission, according to reports, though exactly when that will happen is up for debate.

AutoBlog.com reported yesterday that the next-generation Wrangler will offer the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 and pair it with the ZF eight-speed trans. The EcoDiesel motor, which is currently available in the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, has long been rumored as a natural fit for the Wrangler. Citing an unnamed FCA source, AutoBlog reports this is happening.

The question is: When will we see these changes? It’s expected the next-generation Wrangler will be a 2018 model, meaning we’ll likely get to see it at some point in 2017. But according to a report from WardsAuto.com back in 2013, Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley noted the Wrangler is going through a product change for 2015-16, noting the “Wrangler is on the radar to get (a) diesel.” Does that mean the Wrangler will get “update” before the complete next-gen overhaul for 2018, or was the new Wrangler just pushed back to 2018 entirely and the JK will see no major updates until then?

We reached out to Jeep to confirm or deny these reports, but we were told they can’t comment on future product, which is the same response we received when looking to confirm reports of solid axles returning on the next-gen Wrangler.

Hopefully we’ll have some clarity on what to expect with the Wrangler in the next few years, but until then we’ll just have to wait it out.