Jeep presents the 2011 model for Grand Cherokee in New York

It is quite unusual to see a car be presented in a model year that is two years in advance of the current. In fact, we have never seen such a thing before the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, presented today at the New York Auto Show.



A plausible explanation on that is the fact that Chrysler is facing hard times and it must gather all support it can get from customers and mainly from the government. It must show it is capable of developing and selling competitive and attractive products, even if they are still a lot ahead of its sales period. If customers feel inclined to keep on buying Chrysler cars or to buy them in a higher quantity, the company will get back into profitability and can walk with its own legs. Again.

While it fights for it, let's have a look at the new SUV. New is not only an expression. The new 2011 Grand Cherokee is entirely different from the currently available. It is 4.82 m long, 1.94 m wide, 1.76 m tall and counts on a wheelbase of 2.92 m. There will only be five places, although a seven-seater version may be presented in the future. The luggage compartment is able to carry 1,030 l.

Its platform is not the same one used by Mercedes-Benz ML, but will be the same one ML's next generation will have. Modern and stiffer than the one used by BMW X5, the new body is 146% more rigid than the one used by the current model. This remarkable improvement has been achieved with 5,400 additional weld points.

There will be two engine options in the USA, the already known 5.7-litre V8 Hemi and the brand-new 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar flex fuel engine, also known as Phoenix. It develops 212 bhp at 6,400 rpm and 353 Nm at 4,800 rpm with petrol. Chrysler does not inform how much power the engine delivers using E85, but it must not be more than with petrol, considering the low compression ration of 10.2;1. In Brazil, the leading country in flex fuel engines use and production, the best engines work with at least 15:1, what gives ethanol great advantage in output.

Besides the perfected looks and enhanced space, Grand Cherokee also presents luxury features such as power adjustment for the steering column both in distance and height, keyless entry and start, heated seats (all the five) and steering wheel, ventilated front seats, rear camera for parking and leather and real wood in the interior. Safety is also included with 45 safety equipments

Since any Jeep is expected to perform well in the Rubicon trail, the new Grand Cherokee uses a pneumatic suspension, called Quadra Lift, able to adjust its height to different conditions which you can choose. There are five options: Auto, Sand/Mud, Sport, Snow and Rock. Chrysler, of course, expects the new Jeep Grand Cherokee to rock a lot. In all terrains it is destined to cross, including financial ones.
















Source: Chrysler