What is it? Chrysler brought its redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the New York Auto Show, amply demonstrating that it plans to be around at least until the 2011 model year. This mainstay of the Jeep lineup shares underpinnings with the next generation of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class SUV. The two vehicles began development before Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz parted company a couple of years back. The Grand Cherokee has high-end amenities including a big two-pane panoramic sunroof, leather instrument panel, power tilt/telescope steering wheel, and power lumbar control. The door openings are larger and the rear seatbacks recline. The engine choices include a new V6 or a Hemi V8. The interior of the prototype shown has an airy interior with a tidier control layout than the outgoing model.
What is new or notable? The redesign will employ unibody construction and fully independent suspension for the first time. A 280-hp 3.6-liter, double-overhead cam V6 from Chrysler's new Phoenix engine family will power most of them. Chrysler claims the new vehicle has a 500-mile driving range. The optional 360-hp 5.7-liter HEMI V8 shuts down half the cylinders when they're not needed to save fuel. Safety systems include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, and a forward-collision warning system.
CR's take: Chrysler needs some product hits, given the sad state of much of its line-up. Maybe that's why they're showing the 2011 Grand Cherokee so early. It's a lot roomier than the old GC, and fit and finish is on a totally different league. The optional height-adjustable suspension and "Select Terrain", with its electronic modes for different driving conditions, apes Land Rovers' Terrain Response system. The real nugget from this press conference was that the Grand Cherokee will mark the first rising of the Phoenix, Chrysler's new modern V6 engine. This engine will relegate a bunch of current V6 engines, including the 3.5, 3.7, and 3.8-liter engines, to the history pages. (The last two antiquated engines won't be missed, and this has more power than the decent 3.5.) This strategy--one engine, lots of different products including sedans and SUVs--is used by many companies, most notably Nissan and Toyota.
