2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

PREVIEW — What do you get when you cross a Jeep with a Mercedes? A 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be based heavily on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. Except for Chrysler’s 5.7-liter V8, almost nothing from the 2009 and 2010 Grand Cherokees will be employed on the 2011 Grand Cherokee. The 2011 Grand Cherokee will reach dealer showrooms in the spring or early summer of 2010. Jeep may build a few 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokees, but they will be little changed from 2009 models.


In 1945 or even 2005, few would have predicted that Chrysler would be owned by an Italian company (Fiat) and would sell a product based on a German vehicle. Stranger things have happened, but not many.

Styling

In addition to the Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport-utility vehicle, the 2011 Grand Cherokee shares its platform (auto-speak for “basic underpinnings”) with other Mercedes models, including the R-Class and upcoming GL-Class. It’s rumored that the 2012 Dodge Durango will also use this platform. Americans rest assured, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and most of its engines are scheduled to be built in Michigan.


In this tumultuous time, details are subject to change, but Chrysler says the 2011 Grand Cherokee will be powered by a choice of two engines. The first is the all-new, flexible-fuel 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6. The optional engine is the 360-horsepower, 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The 3.6L V6 is called “the Pentastar” after Chrysler’s pentagonal logo. The V6 features double overhead cams and variable valve timing, which can be tuned to achieve the conflicting goals of power, economy and emissions. It will be made in both the U.S. and Mexico. The V6 will replace several current Chrysler and Dodge engines and may be employed in Fiats and Alfa Romeos. Even smaller engines may be required as the V6 is rated at just 16 miles per gallon on the government’s city cycle and 23 mpg on the highway cycle. Fiat/Chrysler pickups, SUVs and vans must average 30 mpg starting in 2016.


The HEMI 5.7-liter V8, a traditional single-cam pushrod engine, also features variable valve timing. Still, it produces but 14 mpg in the EPA city cycle and 20 mph on the highway test. With the 2016 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards fast approaching, its life expectancy is cloudy. With the 5.7L V8 and two-wheel drive, the Grand Cherokee has a towing capacity of 7,500 pounds, which includes everything inside the vehicle and the trailer and everything in or on it.

Engines and Performance

For serious off-roaders, torque is far more important than horsepower. The V6 makes a peak of 260 pound-feet, although that happens at a high 4,800 rpm. The V8’s torque peaks out at a massive 390 pound-feet, but doesn’t reach that number until above 4,250 rpm. Both engines come with five-speed automatic transmissions and both are available with two-speed transfer cases that provide low-range gearing for serious off-pavement work.


Jeep built its reputation with vehicles that could successfully tackle off-road obstacles. The previous Grand Cherokee’s car-like unibody didn’t endear itself to aficionados. However, truck-style ladder frames make it difficult to provide the large interior room, ride comfort and interior quiet demanded by the vast majority of SUV buyers. In an effort to please both factions, Jeep radically increased the number of welds and adhesives used in the new Mercedes-based chassis. A stiff chassis allows engineers to use softer suspension springs, which provide better on-pavement ride and off-pavement grip. The rear springs are also variable rate, which means they get stiffer as the chassis rolls in a turn or a wheel moves up over a rock.