Previously, Chrysler, like other automakers, put diesel engines only in heavy-duty versions of its pickup trucks. General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. also plan diesel-powered versions of their light-duty pickup trucks in the coming years.
Frank Klegon, executive vice-president of product development for Chrysler, said in prepared remarks that an all-new turbo diesel engine by Cummins Inc. will deliver a 30 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and cut carbon emissions by up to 20 per cent compared with a gasoline engine.
Automakers are under pressure as they face a likely increase in mileage standards under the Corporate Average Fuel Economy law.
Diesel engines typically are more efficient than gasoline engines, but are more expensive and emissions need to be filtered for particles.
Klegon said the new diesel engine will meet emission standards in all 50 states.
He said Chrysler is looking at bringing some of the smaller diesel engines used on cars sold in Europe to the U.S. About half of all passenger cars sold in Europe are powered by diesel.
"It's safe to say that we'll see a continued migration of some of those products brought here to the U.S. market, where we are also exploring additional penetration of our 3.0 -litre V-6 diesel engine, and the possibility of a four-cylinder diesel," he said.
Klegon also said Chrysler will introduce a "significantly upgraded" version of its 5.7 -litre Hemi V-8 engine. The Hemi was a key source of profitability earlier in the decade as buyers flocked to the high-powered engine as an expensive option on cars, trucks and SUVs.
