Jeep has thoroughly updated its Grand Cherokee range for 2008, with a range of new features and a new interior that makes this Jeep the most luxurious Jeep ever.
New soft-touch interior dashboard materials, interior colours and new textures all help to make the new Jeep Grand Cherokee even more desirable while a host of new features - tilt and telescope steering column, improved steering wheel and armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort, new instrument clusters and floor console with improved cup holders - all add to the high-class ambience.
On the exterior, a new front fascia and grille surround with a new body-colour front sill and air dam give the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee a more modern look, together with a new range of alloy wheels and a new headlamp design.
The latest Jeep Grand Cherokee is also still hard to beat off-road. Hill Descent Control now comes as standard on diesel models and is designed to mimic the safe downhill control offered by the ultra-low gearing usually found in hard-core off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.
STYLING - EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
The Jeep Grand Cherokee's design offers an athletic and contemporary appearance. The exterior design has a high belt line with deep doors and shallow glass for a reduced glass-to-body proportion. The wide track pushes the wheels out to the body edges, giving Grand Cherokee a secure appearance of being planted on the road.
Signature features of the vehicle remain, such as the famous seven-slot grille that boldly dominates the front view and the traditional trapezoidal wheel arches.
For the high-performance halogen headlamps, designers adopted a rounded traditional Jeep appearance and gracefully integrated them into a powerful bonnet form. The bonnet, air dam and exterior mirrors were developed in Chrysler's full-size leading-edge wind tunnel in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to minimise wind noise and drag, and maximise aerodynamic benefits. The air dam is removable for serious off-road driving.
Interior Design is both elegant and functional
The latest Jeep Grand Cherokee takes capability and refinement to new levels, proving there is no reason why a hugely capable off-road vehicle can't also be immensely comfortable and polished. An inviting interior awaits occupants with rich leather fittings, a dark colour scheme, new instrument panel treatment, new door trims and up-market interior finishes.
In the cargo area, versatility and storage reign. A reversible load floor panel is carpeted on one side and offers easy-to-clean plastic on the other. The plastic side includes a large shallow tray for added utility. The rear seat cushion and backrest are split 60/40 and fold almost fully flat to create a wide uncluttered load area.
3.0 V6 CRD engine
The compact and lightweight 3.0 CRD engine is a 'next-generation' power unit producing class-leading levels of torque and towing ability. Based on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology, this all-new diesel engine offers outstanding performance along with the refinement and efficiency European buyers are looking for.
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 (215 bhp) and peak torque is 510 Nm (376 lb.ft.) from just 1600 rpm.
The choice of materials, design, fuel injection and engine management system reflect the state of the art. Unlike many other diesel engines in this displacement and output class, the 3.0 CRD features an aluminium crankcase with cast-in grey iron cylinder liners, which make a major contribution to weight reduction. As a result, the V-6 weighs a total of only approximately 208 kg (459 lbs., according to DIN).
This engine is an exceptionally smooth running power unit due to features such as 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 nearly as quick to start as a petrol engine.
In addition, for the diesel engine, a kick-down switch is 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.
The W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission offers smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy with the 3.0 CRD engine. This transmission features 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 the control to precisely match any on-road or off-road driving requirement.
SUSPENSION AND STEERING SYSTEM
An 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 percent over the previous generation vehicle, and a tight turning diameter of 11.2 m (36.7 ft.) provides for even more nimble handling. The five-link rear suspension geometry, including a track bar, also offers lateral stiffness to match that of the front suspension for optimum handling.
