Jeep has taken parts of its daring Grand Wagoneer idea to manufacturing with the brand new Grand Cherokee L, which can come to Europe in its smaller commonplace guise later this yr.
The fifth technology of the US model’s flagship SUV has been unveiled in its largest kind initially, and whereas this mannequin is destined solely for its house market, it serves as a preview of the brand new European-market Grand Cherokee, the present technology of which is greater than 10 years outdated.
Design cues taken from the Grand Wagoneer idea kind the premise for a dramatic styling evolution for the Grand Cherokee, which arrives alongside guarantees of boosted off-road functionality, an upgraded inside and improved rolling refinement.
Jeep president Christian Meunier stated the brand new Grand Cherokee L was redesigned to honour “its iconic Jeep heritage”. A extra clearly outlined two-box form bears similarities to the unique mannequin, launched in 1992, whereas the Grand Wagoneer’s affect extends to its skinny lights, protruding entrance bumper and new-shape seven-slat grille.
As with all earlier iterations of the Grand Cherokee, the L sits atop a ‘unibody’ structure, however one which has been closely upgraded “to optimise experience, dealing with and quiet sound, whereas additionally decreasing weight and enhancing gas financial system”.
The SUV might be specified with a selection of three distinct four-wheel drive methods: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. An non-compulsory Quadra-Carry air suspension bundle can elevate the experience top by as much as 60mm for elevated floor clearance or decrease it by 46mm in Park Mode for ease of entry and exit.
In the meantime, elevated use of aluminium for the bodyshell and a collection of revisions to the chassis are stated to enhance on-road behaviour. The entrance axle is bolted on to the engine, for instance, which reduces noise within the cabin, and new lively engine mounts soften and stiffen in response to the engine velocity for diminished vibration.
The Grand Cherokee’s inside is described as “one of the vital beautiful and technically superior” on sale. Clearly impressed by that of the Grand Wagoneer idea, it does away with lots of the bodily switches and buttons of its predecessor in favour of a predominantly touchscreen-based affair.
The dashboard is dominated by a ten.1in infotainment touchscreen that runs Jeep’s newest Uconnect 5 working system, whereas a brand new 10.25in digital gauge cluster might be configured to point out “almost two dozen” completely different shows.
The outdated automotive’s typical shifter has been swapped for a rotary merchandise (paddle shifters are additionally geared up), and there are new areas for smartphone storage and an non-compulsory wi-fi charger.
The L is obtainable with both six or seven seats. This will not be an choice for the two-row European mannequin, however we are able to count on broadly comparable expertise and cabin styling.
Within the US, the Grand Cherokee L can be provided with a 3.6-litre petrol V6 and the flagship 5.7-litre Hemi V8, however the European-market commonplace automotive will doubtless be bought with a variety of smaller-capacity motors, together with a 4xe plug-in hybrid variant that can be obtainable from launch.
The smaller automotive will doubtless share the brand new arrival’s economy-boosting expertise, nonetheless, together with a disconnecting entrance axle for diminished consumption at cruising speeds. Digital driver aids will doubtless be shared by the 2 automobiles as nicely, so the subsequent Grand Cherokee will optionally provide a head-up show, night-vision digicam, drowsiness detection, a digital rear-view digicam and visitors signal recognition.
US costs for the brand new mannequin have but to be detailed, however the usual Grand Cherokee will doubtless command a major premium over the ageing present automotive when it arrives later this yr.
