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The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a good reminder of what Chrysler can do when it sticks to what it knows best. There is nothing revolutionary about this redesigned SUV, because it’s still a midsize utility vehicle with two rows of seats, two available engines and real off-road capability. It’s a formula that has worked for almost two decades now, so when it came time to do it all over again, the Jeep engineers just added more of the same.
Built on an all-new chassis shared with the Mercedes ML, this Grand Cherokee has been stretched out to open up more passenger room, mostly in the second row. It’s 3 inches wider than before and rides on a wheelbase that’s 5.3 inches longer.
The result is an additional 4 inches of rear knee- and legroom, according to Jeep. The second-row seats also recline, while the front passenger seat can be folded flat on base models. Cargo room is up 6.8 cubic feet to a maximum of 36.3 cubic feet behind the second row. There is still no third-row option (for which we’re grateful).
Moving to a new chassis also allowed Jeep’s engineers to switch to a fully independent suspension for improved ride quality and greater adjustability. An optional Quadra-lift air suspension can vary the ride height from 4.5 inches of ground clearance at its lowest setting to just over 11 inches at its highest. There’s also a new driver-adjustable Selec-Terrain system that optimizes the vehicle’s settings for snow, mud, pavement, etc.
There are three four-wheel-drive systems: Quadra-Trac 1, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive. Quadra-Trac I is a basic full-time system with a single-speed transfer case. Quadra-Trac II adds a dual-range case, while Quadra-Drive goes a step further with an electronic limited-slip differential in the rear. Only Grand Cherokees with two-speed cases are “Trail Rated” by Jeep for serious off-roading. A two-wheel-drive model will also be available.
Under the hood, the Grand Cherokee gets an all-new 3.6-liter V6 as its base engine. This is the first application of this new dual-overhead-cam engine and it’s fitted to a five-speed automatic transmission. Although output is up to 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, Jeep says efficiency is also up by 11 percent.
As with the current Grand Cherokee, there’s an optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8 that delivers 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. It comes with a five-speed automatic as well and boosts the Grand Cherokee’s maximum tow rating to 7,400 pounds for two-wheel-drive models.
This Grand Cherokee is the second vehicle to benefit from Chrysler’s renewed focus on interior quality and design (the latest Ram being the first). All models get soft-touch materials and real wood detailing, while the upper trim levels add features like a heated steering wheel, ventilated seats and leather-upholstered door panels.
The options list includes just about every technological innovation on the market. There’s hill descent control, trailer sway mitigation, blind spot detection and standard stability control. Adaptive cruise control and a Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system are available as well. Convenience features range from remote start to a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.
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Technorati Tags: 2009, 2010, Auto, Car, cherokee, Chrysler, Grand, hemi, Jeep, motor, new, NYAS, off-road, Offroad, show, Sport, SUV, truck, ute, v6, York
Read the full review at http://carreviewsandnews.com . See large pictures, videos of the interior and exterior, and get invoice pricing as well as comparisons to other models.
mudding in my 2000 Jeep wrangler sport with mickey thompson classic locks and 31″ BFG All-Terrains
This one was a little trouble but it took a few tries to make it up!!!
www.gocms.com 2008 Wrangler demo vid. Not an extreme video but one is on the way.