The new 3.0-litre common-rail diesel (CRD), ‘next-generation’ engine from DaimlerChrysler has joined the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee range, building on the brand flagship’s petrol engine line-up launched in Australia last month.

Based on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology, this lightweight common-rail 3.0-litre, V6 engine produces class-leading levels of power, torque and towing, and impressive fuel efficiency all while meeting Euro 4 emission standards.

With Bosch high-pressure fuel injection (1600+ bar), a variable geometry turbocharger and four-valves-per-cylinder, the new engine is bristling with performance technology.

Maximum power is 160 kW and peak torque of 510 Nm, which is available from just 1600 rpm, means the engine has one of the highest torque figures of any four-wheel-drive vehicle in Australia. The vehicle’s tow rating of 3500kg is also amongst the best.

As the successor to the five-cylinder in-line 2.7-litre CRD engine, the new 3.0-litre CRD offers a 33 per cent increase in power and 28 per cent increase in torque, ensuring faster acceleration, brisk intermediate sprints and a higher top speed.

“The concept of diesel driving pleasure reaches a new level for Jeep with the new Grand Cherokee CRD engine,” said Gerry Jenkins, managing director, Chrysler Jeep Australia.

“Just as the HEMI engine with MDS sets the benchmark for V8 power, the 3.0-litre CRD showcases the very latest technology in diesel power and performance.

“The all-new Grand Cherokee superbly combines on-road refinement, off-road mastery and overall performance for customer satisfaction. With the new CRD engine joining the powerful petrol units, the Grand Cherokee becomes an even more compelling package for customers,” said Jenkins.

Adding another dimension to buyer choice for the all-new Grand Cherokee, the CRD is priced from $59,090 for the Laredo model and $69,090 for the luxurious Limited model.

The new diesel engine is an exceptionally smooth running engine thanks to enhancements such as a low-friction valve gear, larger bearings for the crankshaft, connecting rods made from a new alloy and a counter-rotating balancer shaft between the cylinder banks. A quick-start glow system shortens preheating time to just a moment, so that the diesel is quick to start.

The 3.0-litre CRD features an aluminium crankcase with cast-in grey iron cylinder liners, which make a major contribution to weight reduction. As a result, the new V6 weighs a total of only 208 kg.

Reduced weight and the superb efficiency of the CRD engine translate into a combined fuel economy of just 10.2L/100km, which will appeal to buyers who want a very capable four-wheel-drive vehicle with plenty of room and comfort combined with the fuel economy of a small family car.

Off-the-mark performance is also impressive. With 0-100km/h acceleration of 9 seconds and a top speed of 200km/h, the Grand Cherokee CRD gives little away in performance to its petrol cousins.

The five-speed W5A580 automatic transmission has been especially designed for the new 3.0-litre CRD to offer smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy. It features Electronic Range Select driver interactive shift control, providing fully automatic shifting in the ‘Drive’ position, or the driver can manually select each gear sequentially by moving the shift lever left or right to go up or down in gear. This gives the driver control to precisely match any on-road or off-road driving requirement.

The Grand Cherokee CRD naturally comes with all of the benefits of the all-new model including the new suspension system and variable rack and pinion steering, including the latest Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), which works with the anti-lock brakes (ABS) to help the driver retain control in cornering and emergency manoeuvres. ESP also incorporates a ‘roll-over mitigation system’.

For additional safety, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has front and side curtain airbags, a strengthened bodyshell which better withstands impacts and a tyre pressure monitoring system to alert the driver of a puncture or air leak.

Testifying to the new Grand Cherokee’s safety levels, in the U.S. the vehicle received the government’s highest ratings for frontal and side-impact crash protection (five stars) in testing by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Jeep’s range topping Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system is standard for the new diesel model. As one of the most advanced of its type, the four-wheel-drive system provides full-time four-wheel-drive to benefit the driver during marginal conditions on-road, as well as off-road.

The new system incorporates electronic limited slip technology in both axles and in the transfer case. These activate even faster to direct power to the wheel or wheels with the most traction. Also contributing to the Grand Cherokee’s new levels of performance is the ten per cent increase in wheel travel at the front and impressive ground clearance and entry/exit angles. In combination with the outstanding engine braking ability of the CRD, this model displays excellent off-road ability.

Customer convenience was at the forefront of designers minds when crafting the new Grand Cherokee, which is both longer and wider than before, providing significant improvements to interior passenger room and luggage space.

The new model is also more luxurious. The Limited model features elegant leather upholstery, dual zone climate air conditioning, premium 276-watt Boston Acoustics CD sound system, power windows and folding wing mirrors, remote locking with engine immobiliser, power-adjustable and heated electric front seats, auto dimming rear view mirror, rear park assist sensors and a vehicle information centre that includes the tyre pressure monitor.

All-new Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing:

Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7-litre V8	$56,490
Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 3.0-litre CRD V6	$59,090
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4.7-litre V8	$66,490
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.0-litre CRD V6	$69,090
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.7-litre HEMI V8	$71,990

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 Centre
• Dual-zone heating, ventilation and cooling system
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Sentry Key® engine immobiliser and remote keyless entry
• Advanced multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags
• 1909 litres 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

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited standard features
In addition to Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo standard features (listed above), the Limited model adds:

• 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

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