10 February 2011
New car report; An even Grander Cherokee
According to Chrysler Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mike Manley, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee nearly two decades ago.
While the people across the Atlantic in Solihull may stake their claim to that title with their Range Rover over four decades ago, certainly the Grand Cherokee has been the great American premium SUV success story.
For 2011, the premium level has been lifted further to take the Grand Cherokee even more upmarket. A good deal of effort has been applied to getting the interior fit and finish and overall quality up to a very high standard.
Exterior styling remains instantly recognisable as a Jeep with its seven slot grille and other styling cues such as the trapezoid wheel arches, but it also conveys a premium level presence, hinting that it rubs shoulders with German SUV’s in a much higher price bracket.
The new WK model Grand Cherokee is currently available in New Zealand in one high spec level, the Limited, with two different petrol engine options, a 5.7 litre V8 and a new 3.6 litre Pentastar V6. A 3.0 litre CRD V6 diesel will follow later in the year.
New Pentastar V6 and improvements for V8
The new Pentastar V6 is a DOHC unit, featuring an aluminium block with a 60 degree V configuration. This new Quad VVT powerplant produces 210kW at 6,350 rpm and 347Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, and at 11.4L/100km it is claimed to offer a 10 percent fuel saving over the previous V6.
The 5.7 litre HEMI V8 delivers 259kW at 5,200 rpm and 520Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm. As before, the V8 engine offers the fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) which shuts down four cylinders when cruising or less power is required, changing seamlessly back to eight cylinders immediately power is in demand. The V8 consumes 14.1L/100km.
Both models run a five speed automatic transmissions and both meet Euro 5 emission standards. Both offer 750kg unbraked towing capacity, with the V6 able to haul a 2,268 braked trailer and the V8 3,500kg.
Refined manners on the road and highly capable off road, the Grand Cherokee offers the best of both worlds. A comfortable, roomy and sophisticated daily city cruiser with genuine bush-bashing abilities should the mood take you.
Systems designed for going bush
Two 4x4 systems are available which in Jeep parlance are termed Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. The Quadra-Trac II utilises a two speed transfer case with the ability to send up to 100 percent of available torque to the front or rear, depending on which axle has the most traction.
Quadra-Drive II has a rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential and with the aid of electronics can detect slip and distribute torque to individual wheels. The Quadra-Drive II system is part of an Off Road Adventure pack which includes under-body skid plates and 18 inch wheels in place of the standard 20’s and is priced at $2,500.
As a further off road option, there’s a new air suspension system – and of course, this also has a special name too; Quadra-Lift. Quadra-Lift allows the ride height to be lifted by 105mm, taking the maximum ground clearance up to 271mm.
There’s also the ability to select five different terrain settings with a new Terrain-Select system. Auto, Sand/Mud, Sport, Snow and Rock settings each set the powertrain, braking and suspension settings to the optimum conditions for the terrain.
Creature comforts for everyday use are numerous and user-friendly. The electrically operated heated, leather seats in the front are comfortable and supportive and rear legroom is vastly improved.
Keyless enter-n-go, automatic bi-xenon headlamps with auto dipping, front and rear park assist with reversing camera, heated steering wheel and rain sensing wipers are all part of the standard package.
Entertainment, connectivity and navigation systems haven’t been left out either, with a roof mounted rear DVD system with ports to connect games and media devices, sat-nav and Bluetooth, all with voice activation.
The absence of a seven seat option may deter some buyers, and some may prefer to wait for the CRD (diesel) version, but overall the Grand Cherokee took everything we threw at it in its stride and left us feeling that at $79,990 for the V6 and $86,990 for the V8, it’s a great alternative for those wanting a premium SUV but can’t justify $100k plus price tag of a German brand.