It's bigger, potentially badder, and possibly a little more frugal; it's the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it's new from the ground up.
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Despite its larger size and the rumored demise of its seven-seat Commander sibling, the Grand Cherokee will remain a five-passenger vehicle--but gives each of them more room. Wheelbase is up by about five inches, overall length by two.
A new Quadra-Lift air suspension can raise the vehicle to summon 11.1 inches of ground clearance for severe off-roading. Also useful in the boonies is a five-position traction-control system matched to the demands of various types of terrain, such as sand, snow, or rocks. Helping to smooth the on-road ride is a new four-wheel independent suspension (the current generation uses a solid rear axle) based on the underpinnings of the Mercedes ML luxury sport ute--apparently a remnant of the now-defunct marriage between the two companies.
Slated to replace both the 210-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 base engine and 305-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 is a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter Flex-Fuel V6 capable of running on E85. The new engine is the first of Chrysler's "Phoenix" family of high-efficiency V6s. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with Multi-displacement System cylinder deactivation returns. Sadly, stricken from the engine lineup is the excellent Mercedes-built turbodiesel V6. The mighty 420-horsepower 6.1-liter Hemi currently powering the high-performance SRT-8 also gets the axe.
No word yet on prices, but expect to see the new family Jeep in showrooms in early 2010.
CG Says...
While Wrangler may be the brand, Grand Cherokee is the money. Jeep
needs this truck to sell well, and the new truck certainly has the
rugged good looks to attract shoppers. Kudos to Jeep for finally giving
Grand Cherokee a base engine with the potential to stave off stoplight
embarrassment.
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