All-New Jeep Grand Cherokee Set To Change The Australian Landscape

Quadra-Lift is supported by four-corner air springs featuring five height settings for optimum ride performance:

With the front air dam removed and the available Quadra-Lift air suspension set to Off Road 2 mode, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 34.3-degree approach angle, a 27.3-degree (to rear recovery tow hook) departure angle and a 23.1-degree breakover angle.

Two 4x4 Systems: The Jeep Grand Cherokee will offer two 4x4 systems in Australia: Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II.

Quadra-Trac II’s two-speed transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors in order to determine tyre slip at the earliest possible moment and take corrective action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximises traction before slippage occurs. When tyre slippage is detected, as much as 100 percent of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Quadra-Drive II, with a rear Electronic Limited-slip Differential (ELSD), delivers industry-leading tractive capability. The system instantly detects tyre slip and smoothly distributes engine torque to tyres with traction. In some cases, the vehicle will anticipate low traction and adjust in order to proactively limit or eliminate slip.

Selec-Terrain: In addition to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the all-new Selec-Terrain traction control system lets customers choose the setting for the optimum experience on all types of terrain. This feature electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The Selec-Terrain control dial allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions in order to achieve the best driving experience:

Selec-Terrain, coupled with the all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension, offers drivers an adjustable suspension span that delivers world-class capability. Selec-Terrain is standard with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II.

On-road Refinement: The all-new independent front and rear suspension deliver premium on-road manners with isolated front and rear suspension cradles and variable-rate rear springs that combine to enhance on-road character and ride comfort.

The new rear suspension allows the spare tyre to be stored inside the vehicle as opposed to underneath.

The all-new body structure’s torsional stiffness is 146-percent greater than the previous model for improved durability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Stiffness is achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This marks a 53-percent increase in spot welds, a 42-percent increase in arc welds and a 38-percent increase in structural adhesive.

Stunning Exterior Design and Refined Interiors

The front includes Jeep’s classic seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches. The removable lower front fascia delivers improved fuel consumption, on-road performance and off-road capability. The lower front fascia features a large chromed appliqué on Limited and Overland models. Tow eyes are standard on all models.

From the side, Jeep Grand Cherokee features an athletic, muscular profile. Black appliqués on B-pillars give the bright day-light opening (DLO) an aerodynamic, modern appearance and a sleek profile. Available chromed door handles add to the profile and complement the full-chromed DLO surround on all models.

Laredo features standard 18-inch wheels. Limited and Overland models feature standard 20-inch wheels.

Taillamps wrap from the rear quarter panel to the back of the vehicle and create a solid form, which achieves more of an upscale appearance. The treatment complements the front-end design and resonates with the rest of the exterior.

Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with the 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 engine have 89mm dual chromed exhaust tips, and those with the V6 engine have a 76mm single exhaust (Laredo) or 89mm chromed tip (Limited).

World-class Interior Refinement: The all-new interior features rich materials and elegant appointments as well as more room for both passengers and cargo.

The instrument panel is completely redesigned and features soft-touch material with available contrast stitching that is carried throughout the interior, including seats. Soft-touch material is integrated not only on the instrument panel but on customer touch points including doors, consoles and armrests. By using softer materials, the Jeep design team was able to achieve fit and finish complimented by lower interior noise levels.

The all-new CommandView® dual-pane sun roof is standard on Overland models and available on Limited. It provides twice as much glass surface than a standard sun roof and extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle. The front panel may be opened rearward, providing additional light and fresh air to first-row passengers. The rear panel, which is fixed, allows light and open viewing for second-row passengers and comes standard with a power sun shade.

Interior Comfort: Inside, premium seating includes room for five passengers.

Front seat passengers will always find the perfect seat position thanks to standard 8-way power seats with 4-way power lumber adjustment and 4-way head restraints.

For added passenger comfort, rear seats recline a total of 12 degrees, with three lockable detents to make selection quick and easy. The 60/40 split fold seat back also features 12 degrees of forward adjustment to provide increased cargo carrying capacity without stowing the rear seat back. The maximum rear cargo volume is 11-percent larger than the outgoing model and 782L in total.

Compared to previous models, a larger front door opening is 48mm wider and 51mm higher, and the rear door opening is now 78 degrees (from 67 degrees) for better access to the interior.

The well-appointed rear cargo area includes a storage unit with a rechargeable flashlight and new and improved baggage hooks on both sides. The spare tyre compartment includes removable dual storage bins for secure storage of muddy gear or other items.

An all-new power rear liftgate is available for effortless remote up/down convenience.

Powertrains

All-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine: Jeep Grand Cherokee features the first application of the all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine. This all-new 3.6-litre V6 engine is standard on the Grand Cherokee and features an all-new design with dual double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a high-pressure die-cast aluminium cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration. It features Quad Variable-valve Timing (VVT) and delivers 210 kW of power at 6,350 rpm and 347 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm, providing customers more than a 10-percent improvement in fuel consumption.

It is coupled with the proven W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and optimum fuel consumption. The five-speed W5A580 transmission includes adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver-interactive manual control and an electronically modulated torque converter clutch.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers trailer tow capability of up to 2,268kg on models equipped with the Pentastar V6 engine.

Legendary 5.7-litre HEMI® V8 engine: The 2011 Grand Cherokee is alsoavailable with the legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine. Featuring VVT, it delivers 259 kW of power at 5,200 rpm and 520 Nm of torque at 4,200 rpm.

The 5.7-litre engine’s fuel-saving Multi-Displacement System (MDS) seamlessly alternates between smooth, efficient four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V8 mode when more power is in demand. This optimises fuel consumption when V8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

The Grand Cherokee offers unsurpassed trailer tow capability of up to 3,500kg when equipped with the 5.7-litre V8 engine.

More than 45 Safety and Security Features
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee includes more than 45 safety and security features.

Standard safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection, All-speed Traction Control (ASTC), Trailer-sway Control (TSC), Keyless Enter-N-Go (passive entry/pushbutton start), remote keyless entry, express up/down windows for driver and front-seat passenger seat-belt pretensioners.

Other standard safety features include next generation air bags that enhance protection for the driver and front passenger, full-length side-curtain air bags that extend protection to front and rear outboard passengers, seat-mounted side thorax air bags that enhance protection for the driver and front passenger, standard driver inflatable knee bolster and active head restraints that deploy in the event of a rear collision.

In June 2010, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee was presented with a ‘Top Safety Pick’ award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – the highest rating the organisation bestows. Vehicles that earn ‘Top Safety Pick’ meet the highest standards for crash test performance, encompassing state-of-the-art safety for the best protection in the most common types of crashes.

Manufacturing
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee will be built at the nearly 278,709sq.m Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which has been the North American site of Grand Cherokee production since its introduction in 1992.

In preparation for production of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, JNAP went through a complete transformation as part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), an extensive and thorough process to provide state-of-the-art manufacturing practices. Part of that transformation included the addition of a 26,477sq.m. expansion to replace the existing body shop, one piece of Chrysler Group’s investment of approximately $1.8 billion in new vehicle programs.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Continues its Global Appeal

Since its introduction, more than 4.3 million Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles have been sold worldwide. Leading the path carved by its three predecessors, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee will continue to set a global standard with its on-road refinement, off-road mastery and overall performance.

Jeep Brand
Built on nearly 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup in Australia includes Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

Pricing
Arguably one of the most impressive factors around the launch of the all-new Grand Cherokee is the value story. Starting at $45,000, the pricing is thousands below that of the outgoing model, despite the significant lift in features, equipment and quality. This is set to make the Jeep Grand Cherokee a major contender in Australia’s SUV sector.