Jeep Commander Overland Gets 2.2-Litre Diesel Engine
Jeep has officially updated the Commander SUV—known as the Meridian in India—with a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel engine in Brazil. This upgrade replaces the earlier 2.0-litre unit and is currently exclusive to the top-spec Overland trim.
The new 2.2-litre engine delivers a substantial 197 bhp and 450 Nm of peak torque, a notable increase over the previous engine’s 168 bhp and 380 Nm. Power continues to be sent to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission, which now comes with 14% longer gear ratios to handle the added torque.
Performance and Mechanical Enhancements
The Jeep Commander now accelerates from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.7 seconds, significantly quicker than the 11.6 seconds recorded with the outgoing engine. To manage this performance gain, Jeep has also equipped the SUV with larger front brakes and introduced a new ARLA 32 emission reduction system derived from the Ram Rampage pickup, ensuring better emissions control and regulatory compliance.
No Changes for Indian Jeep Meridian
While the Brazilian Commander gets a performance-oriented update, the India-spec Jeep Meridian remains unchanged. It continues to be powered by the 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel engine, which produces 168 bhp and 350 Nm of torque, paired with the same 9-speed automatic transmission and 4×4 drivetrain.
The 2.0-litre engine, shared with models like the Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier, Safari, and MG Hector, is BS6 Phase 2 compliant and widely used in the Indian SUV segment. Jeep India currently manufactures the Meridian at its Ranjangaon facility in Pune, and there are no confirmed plans to introduce the 2.2-litre engine to the Indian market at this time.
Manufacturing and Market Strategy
The Brazilian Commander is built at Jeep’s Goiana plant, which also produces the left-hand drive versions of the Compass and Renegade. The decision to offer the 2.2-litre engine in Brazil and not in India may be tied to market demands, emissions standards, and platform compatibility in each region.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
