Jeep Wrangler JL EcoDiesel Spied With 8-Speed Transmission

We’re all anticipating the release of Jeep’s next-generation Wrangler and now we have new spy shots of its interior revealing an eight-speed automatic shifter.

Already we know that it will be available in a truck configuration, aluminium is used to reduce body weight, and it will be offered with diesel and turbo 4-cylinder powertrain options. In the latest spy photos, we get a close look at the center console and sitting where a five-speed unit used to be is a gated shift selector.

This new shifter looks similar to the ones found in the new Dodge Charger and Challenger with a mechanical release button, suggesting that the transmission could be based off of the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission design that Chrysler already builds or source from ZF. While we don’t know if the new Wrangler JL will use this style of shifter, we do know that it’ll follow the same PRND pattern and this acts as a confirmation on what transmission Jeep will use in the JL.

As for the engine, Autoblog says the sound of a diesel engine was heard coming from the mule so an EcoDiesel V6 was most likely sitting under that hood. Alongside the EcoDiesel V6 is supposed to be the rumored new turbocharged four-cylinder engine codenamed internally as the “Hurricane”. Maybe the 8-speed transmission will be paired with the turbo four too.