It's A Rugby Union As Jeep Announces New Ambassador Austin Healey

LONDON – Nov 6, 2013: Rugby star and sports commentator Austin Healey has avoided the usual scrum for a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, after signing up as an official UK brand ambassador to the 4x4 manufacturer.

The former Leicester Tigers, England, and British and Irish Lions scrum half travels thousands of miles each year on business and in his role as commentator for BT Sport’s rugby coverage, and he’s delighted that he can do all that and more in his new, top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee Summit.

“You can see why Jeep has won so many awards, when they can produce a new car like this that has everything,” says Austin. “I travel all over the country to the top rugby grounds, and for other business commitments, and I also use the Jeep for the school run and day-to-day movements, and I’ve been very impressed with it.”

Austin will use his new car to fully embrace the partnership with Jeep, as he plans to make several personal appearances at Jeep dealer events across the UK. Jeep is also now the sponsor of Austin’s excellent weekly column in the Daily Telegraph each Saturday.

“Working with such an accomplished sportsman as Austin Healey is really exciting for us,” says Nigel Land, brand director, Jeep Chrysler UK. “He’s well respected in the world of sport, and echoes our core values of adventure and challenging yourself. We’re very much looking forward to the months ahead.”

With 247bhp and 570 Nm of torque available from the 2987cc V6 turbo diesel engine, coupled to a smooth eight-speed automatic gearbox, the new Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining Jeep’s legendary four-wheel drive torque-on-demand off-road capability.

Now with significantly lower emissions than the previous Grand Cherokee together with fuel consumption of up to 37.7 mpg (combined), the new car also offers real value in terms of running costs.

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee range starts at £36,995 (OTR) for the 3.0 V6 CRD Laredo, rising to £49,495 (OTR) for the 3.0 V6 CRD Summit.