All-New, Third Generation Jeep Grand Cherokee

• First-time availability of 5.7-litre hemi with Multi-Displacement System in a Jeep
• New exterior and interior design captures authentic Jeep look and feel
• Two new 4x4 systems to meet every customer’s driving needs
• All-new suspension and steering system provides confident ride and handling
• Standard Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) advances active safety protection

The all-new, third generation Jeep Grand Cherokee has arrived in Australia, offering a sportier appearance, improved on-road ride and handling, thanks to an all-new suspension and steering package and new four-wheel-drive systems.

“The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is designed, engineered and built to master every imaginable day-to-day driving condition, whether on-road or off-road, in all kinds of weather,” said Gerry Jenkins, managing director, Chrysler Jeep Australia.

“The result is a Jeep that is all-new from the ground up and all Jeep from the inside out.

“The new Grand Cherokee sets the benchmark with its on-road refinement, off-road mastery and class-leading performance in three key areas of customer satisfaction: engine torque, off-road traction and towing capabilities,” claimed Jenkins.

New engines deliver performance and power
Two petrol engines will initially be offered in the new Grand Cherokee. For the first time ever, the new 5.7-litre hemi V8 engine is available on a Jeep, in addition to the 4.7-litre V8.

Grand Cherokee also brings customers an all-new state-of-the-art 3.0-litre V6 common-rail direct turbo diesel (CRD) engine, which will arrive in Australia in August.

Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first four-wheel-drive to offer the Multi-Displacement System (MDS). On the 5.7-litre hemi engine, MDS deactivates half the cylinders during cruising and light acceleration to increase fuel economy by up to 20 per cent, depending on driving conditions.

Ninety per cent of peak torque is available from 2400 to 5100 rpm for excellent performance while trailer towing or travelling off-road, as well as regular city and highway driving.

A sophisticated Electronic Throttle Control system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions and when cruise control is activated, maintains a more consistent vehicle speed on rolling grades than was possible with the previous mechanical throttle.

This control does not come at the expense of performance. The 5.7-litre hemi engine provides class-leading power and torque, at 240 kW and 500 Nm. It also stands among the best in class for acceleration.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a towing capacity of 3500 kg, which means Jeep finally catches up with the Volkswagen Touareg. Combined with the 1908 litres of rear cargo volume, this allows customers greater flexibility in usage for both business and pleasure.

The all-new 3.0-litre CRD engine is a “next-generation” power unit from DaimlerChrysler producing levels of torque and towing, with efficient fuel economy. With Bosch high-pressure fuel injection (1600+ bar), a variable geometry turbocharger and four valves per cylinder, the new engine meets Euro 4 emissions standards. Maximum power is 160 kW and peak torque is 510 Nm from just 1600 rpm.

For the diesel engine, a kick-down switch is now added to the accelerator pedal. This detent, reached before the full travel of the pedal, is intended to reduce transmission kick-downs during normal driving but still allow for full pedal travel when a quicker acceleration is wanted by the driver.

All-new automatic transmission offers premium refinement
An all-new five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy with the 3.0-litre CRD. The 5-45RFE five-speed automatic transmission used with the 5.7-litre hemi and 4.7-litre V8 has been refined for higher-quality shifts while increasing the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s maximum towing capacity.

Both transmissions feature Electronic Range Select driver interactive shift control for the first time on Jeep Grand Cherokee. The shifter provides fully automatic shifting in the “Drive” position, or the driver can manually select each gear sequentially by moving the shift lever left or right from the “Drive” position. This gives the driver control to precisely match any on-road or off-road driving requirement.

Legendary Grand Cherokee size, styling and comfort
Jeep Grand Cherokee’s new design provides a contemporary return of an athletic appearance. Up front, the signature seven-slot grille, flanked by the functional round appearance, high-performance halogen headlamps, boldly dominates the design statement. These round headlamps unify the unmistakable front-end appearance of the entire Jeep line-up.

A proportionally longer bonnet and greater distance from the centre of the front axle to the base of the windshield visually communicate a more powerful image. Helping to achieve a more athletic appearance is a flatter windshield and sleeker A-pillar design.

The new model is 139 mm longer, 12 mm wider and rides on a 90 mm longer wheelbase. Although body width is only slightly increased, the track is up by 64 mm for a wider stance and improved handling. The overall design of the body shell, which is 60 per cent stiffer in torsion compared to the previous model, delivers improved vehicle aerodynamics (Cd is 0.41) and enhanced vehicle fuel economy. The body is “shrink-wrapped” to the package, enabling designers to emphasize the powerful wheel arch flares. Larger taillamps feature red and clear lenses for an upscale appearance. Overall, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee preserves the right-size package that is critical for off-road use and provides nimble on-road handling.

All-new interior provides next-generation sophistication
Jeep Grand Cherokee’s new interior is updated and inviting with a two-tone instrument panel, door trim and new finishes. Seat contours are precise and ergonomic with increased seat track travel. Comfortable head room plus increased shoulder room, leg room and front hip room add a feeling of even more spaciousness to the interior. The dramatic and elegant instrument panel design offers a high degree of precision and control. In the cargo area, features such as a reversible load floor panel and numerous luggage tie-down points enhance versatility and storage. The Grand Cherokee also receives an available Boston Acoustics six-speaker premium sound system and a six stacker CD player.

Complementing these features is a quieter interior, thanks to driveline NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) improvements, wind noise reductions and the use of innovative noise dampening materials within the body structure and engine compartment.

All-new suspension and steering system provides confident ride and handling
An all-new independent front suspension provides the driver with a greater sense of precision and control, more precise steering and reduces head toss. Front suspension wheel travel is increased by more than 10 per cent over the previous generation vehicle and a tight turning diameter of 11.2 metres provides for nimble handling. The new five-link rear suspension geometry, including a track bar, also improves lateral stiffness to match that of the front suspension for optimum handling.

Also standard for the first time on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is an Electronic Stability Programme, which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving manoeuvres on any type of surface. Using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, the system determines the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments to enhance directional stability of the vehicle.

Jeep Grand Cherokee also features a new electronic rollover mitigation system that anticipates critical situations for the vehicle that may lead to a rollover condition. This system observes and monitors the driver input, vehicle roll attitude and lateral force, while estimating the potential for a rollover situation. The electronic rollover mitigation system reduces engine torque and applies a short burst of full braking to the appropriate wheel to stabilise the vehicle.

Jeep Grand Cherokee’s new rack-and-pinion steering system imparts a more precise steering feel to the driver than the previous recirculating ball system. Even with the increase in wheelbase and track, Grand Cherokee’s nimbleness and tight turning diameter are maintained with the new steering system.

Four-wheel-drive capabilities
Two new full-time four-wheel-drive systems are available on Jeep Grand Cherokee. Quadra-Trac II® incorporates the new NV245 transfer case that provides full-time active four-wheel drive, which anticipates and prevents wheel slip for optimum traction during a wide range of conditions. The NV245 also includes electronic shift with a true low-range gear.

Even more sophisticated, Quadra-Drive II® takes unparalleled Jeep capability to an even higher level using Electronic Limited Slip Differentials (ELSD) — front, centre and rear. ELSD replaces the Vari-Lok® progressive axles used in previous generation Jeep vehicles for even quicker response to changing conditions and greater torque capacity.

With Quadra-Drive II, Jeep Grand Cherokee offers an electronic engagement of torque biasing for the front axle, as well as the rear. Therefore, the torque transfer is faster and almost 100 per cent of the torque can be distributed to any of the four wheels.

Two production plants to meet global demand
To meet the anticipated demand for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee, two world-class facilities are employed to build the vehicle. The Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan (USA), began production of the new model in the third quarter of 2004. Assembly of vehicles for European and right-hand-drive markets, including Australia, takes place at the Magna Steyr Manufacturing Facility in Graz, Austria.

The new Grand Cherokee will start to reach dealer showrooms across Australia from July for petrol models and from August for diesel models.

Features at a glance

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo standard features

• Choice of two engine/transmission/4x4 system combinations:
  • 4.7-litre V8 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, with Quadra-Trac II full-time four-wheel-drive system
  • 3.0-litre V6 CRD engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, with Quadra-Drive II full-time four-wheel-drive system
• Short and long-arm independent front suspension
• Five-link rear suspension
• Rack-and-pinion steering
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Traction Control System
• Electronic Stability Programme
• Electronic rollover mitigation system
• 17-inch satin silver finish wheels and tyres
• Power eight-way driver seat and four-way front passenger seat with adjustable lumbar support
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat with folding outboard head restraints and retractable cup holders in seat cushions
• Electronic Vehicle Information Center
• Dual-zone heating, ventilation and cooling system
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Sentry Key® engine immobilizer and remote keyless entry
• Advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags
• 1909 L of cargo volume
• Cargo storage with reversible load-floor and water-resistant storage compartment
• AM/FM stereo with CD and changer controls
• Front and rear full-length side-curtain air bags
• Adjustable roof rails

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo optional features

• Skid plate package, including skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case and front suspension
• Powered sun roof with express open/close
• Boston Acoustics six-speaker premium sound system with 276-watt digital amplifier and a six-stacker CD unit
• Off-road package (available on the 4.7-litre Laredo model), including skid plate package, fog lamps and Quadra Drive II

• Quadra-Drive II system for all engine variants
• Unique 17-inch polished aluminium wheels
• Power folding exterior mirrors
• Jeep Memory System (controls power seats and exterior mirrors)
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather interior trim
• Electrochromic interior rearview mirror
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Boston Acoustics six-speaker premium sound system with 276-watt digital amplifier and a six-stacker CD unit
• ParkSense rear park assist
• Heated driver and front passenger seats

• 5.7-litre HEMI V8 engine with Multi-Displacement System and five-speed automatic transmission including Quadra-Drive II
• Skid plate package, including skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case and front suspension
• Climate package including powered sun roof with express open/close and deep tint glass

Prices start from $56,490 for the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7-litre V8, $59,090 for the 3.0-litre CRD V6 and $71,990 for the range topping 5.7-litre HEMI V8.