Press Kit: Jeep Grand Cherokee Outside North America

All-new Jeep® Grand Cherokee Arriving Soon to Markets Outside North America

Inventor of the SUV Provides the Ideal Balance of Real-world Capability and On-road Refinement
Auburn Hills, Mich. June 30, 2010 - Nearly two decades ago, Jeep® reinvented the premium sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales later, Jeep improves the formula and provides the ideal balance between iconic 4x4 capability and on-road refinement with the all-new Grand Cherokee.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and unsurpassed towing capability. It also offers improved fuel consumption and a world-class interior cabin.

The all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension system is a first for Jeep, delivering legendary Jeep off-road capability. In addition, the new Selec-Terrain traction control system allows the driver to choose the drive system that best matches on- or off-road driving conditions. New front and rear independent suspension systems deliver premium on-road handling and comfort.

“With the all-new Grand Cherokee, Jeep has created the benchmark, premium SUV,” said Mike Manley, President and Chief Executive Officer – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Unique innovations such as our new Quadra-Lift suspension and Selec-Terrain traction control systems separate Jeep from the crowd and take the new Grand Cherokee to the next level of 4x4 capability. The new generation of the iconic Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers the ideal blend of on-road refinement, craftsmanship, world-class design, improved fuel consumption, innovative features and legendary, real-world capability.”

Legendary Capability and On-road Refinement

  • Most capable and refined 4x4 Grand Cherokee ever
  • NEW Jeep Quadra-Lift air suspension system
  • Choice of two 4x4 systems: Quadra-Trac II® and Quadra-Drive® II with rear Electronic Limited-slip Differential (ELSD)
  • NEW Jeep Selec-Terrain system featuring five terrain settings to match conditions
  • NEW independent front and rear suspension systems
  • NEW body structure provides 146-percent increase in torsional stiffness for improved NVH

Quadra-Lift: The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system that provides a total of 105.0mm (4.1 in.) of lift span. Quadra-Lift operates automatically or may be controlled manually via console controls.

For the first time on a Jeep vehicle, Quadra-Lift is supported by four-corner air springs featuring five height settings for optimum ride performance: 

  • Normal Ride Height (NRH): 204.5mm (8.1 in.) of clearance offers improved fuel consumption and improved aerodynamics during on-road driving
  • Off Road 1: Lifts the vehicle an additional 32.5mm (1.3 in.) to 237.0mm (9.3 in.) for added height in clearing obstacles
  • Off Road 2: Delivers legendary Jeep off-road capability and provides an additional 65.0mm (2.6 in.) over NRH for 269.5mm (10.6 in.) of ground clearance
  • Park Mode: Lowers the vehicle 40.0mm (1.6 in.) from NRH for easy ingress/egress and roof rack loading. NRH and Park mode are driver-selectable, giving the driver control over vehicle ride height
  • Aero Mode: Lowers the vehicle 15.0mm (0.6 in.) from NRH. Aero Mode is controlled by vehicle speed and adjusts for optimal performance and fuel consumption

With the front air dam removed and the available Quadra-Lift air suspension set to Off Road 2 mode, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee features a 34.3-degree approach angle, a 27.3-degree (to rear recovery tow hook) departure angle and a 23.1-degree breakover angle.

Two 4x4 Systems: The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers two 4x4 systems in markets outside of North America: Quadra-Trac II® and Quadra-Drive® II.

Quadra-Trac II’s two-speed transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors in order to determine tire slip at the earliest possible moment and take corrective action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs. When tire slippage is detected, as much as 100 percent of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Quadra-Drive II, with a rear Electronic Limited-slip Differential (ELSD), delivers industry-leading tractive capability. The system instantly detects tire slip and smoothly distributes engine torque to tires with traction. In some cases, the vehicle will anticipate low traction and adjust in order to proactively limit or eliminate slip.

Selec-Terrain: In addition to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the all-new Selec-Terrain traction control system lets customers choose the off-road setting for the optimum experience on all terrains. This feature electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The Selec-Terrain’s control dial allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions in order to achieve the best driving experience on all terrains:

  • Sand/Mud: Traction Control and Quadra-Lift operate with sensitive response to wheel spin, and torque is tuned for optimal performance
  • Sport: Provides enhanced on-road “fun-to-drive” capability
  • Auto: Automatically adapts to any on- or off-road situation
  • Snow: Vehicle traction adjusts for ultimate performance over snow-covered roads
  • Rock: Quadra-Lift suspension raises to a maximum height of 269.5mm (10.6 in.), and the transfer case, differentials and throttle coordinate to provide low-speed control

Selec-Terrain, coupled with the all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension, offers drivers an adjustable suspension span that delivers world-class capability. Selec-Terrain is standard with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II.

On-road Refinement: The all-new independent front and rear suspension deliver premium on-road manners with isolated front and rear suspension cradles and variable-rate rear springs that combine to enhance on-road character and ride comfort.

The new rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle as opposed to underneath.

The all-new body structure’s torsional stiffness is 146-percent greater than the previous model for improved durability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Stiffness is achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This marks a 53-percent increase in spot welds, a 42-percent increase in arc welds and a 38-percent increase in structural adhesive.

Stunning Exterior Design and Refined Interiors

  • Most luxurious Jeep ever with stunning exterior design and world-class, refined interiors 
  • NEW sculpted body and athletic profile define sleek interior/aerodynamic finesse
  • NEW CommandView® dual-pane panoramic sun roof
  • Premium soft-touch interior materials
  • Larger front and rear door openings (78 degrees)
  • Increased rear-seat knee clearance and leg room of 981.1mm (38.6 in.) versus the previous model – knee clearance alone is now 109.7mm (4.3 in.)
  • Larger cargo volume behind rear seat provides 11-percent more room for gear

Classic Exterior Design: Every surface of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and treated for aerodynamics. This improves fuel efficiency and puts more fluidity into the design while delivering an 8.5-percent improvement in drag compared with the previous model. The Grand Cherokee Coefficient of drag (Cd) is approximately 0.37 compared with the previous model’s Cd of 0.404.

“The Jeep design team’s mission was to completely re-design the Grand Cherokee and redefine the meaning of Jeep luxury,” said Ralph Gilles, Senior Vice President – Product Design. “New and existing customers will be delighted by the world-class attention to detail on both the exterior and interior. The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee confidently competes at every level of the full-size SUV segment, and in any market.”

The front includes Jeep’s classic seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches. The removable lower front fascia delivers improved fuel consumption, on-road performance and off-road capability. The lower front fascia features a large chromed appliqué on Limited and Overland models. Tow eyes are standard on all models.

From the side, Jeep Grand Cherokee features an athletic, muscular profile. Black appliqués on B-pillars give the bright day-light opening (DLO) an aerodynamic, modern appearance and a sleek profile. Available chromed door handles add to the profile and complement the full-chromed DLO surround on all models.

Limited and Overland models feature standard 18- and 20-inch wheels, respectively.

Taillamps wrap from the rear quarter panel to the back of the vehicle and create a solid form, which achieves more of an upscale appearance. The treatment complements the front-end design and resonates with the rest of the exterior.

Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with the 5.7-liter Multi-displacement System (MDS) V-8 engine have 89mm (3.5 in.) dual chromed exhaust tips, and those with the V-6 engine have a 76mm (3 in.) single exhaust with optional 89mm (3.5 in.) chromed tips.

World-class Interior Refinement: The all-new interior features rich materials and elegant appointments as well as more room for both passengers and cargo.

“Following in the footsteps of the benchmark 2009 Dodge Ram, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is another proud graduate of our Advanced Interior Design Studio,” said Gilles. “We achieved a world-class interior by using fine materials and maintaining a more focused attention to detail.”

The instrument panel is completely redesigned and features soft-touch material with available contrast stitching that is carried throughout the interior, including seats. Soft-touch material is integrated not only on the instrument panel but on customer touch points including doors, consoles and armrests. By using softer materials, the Jeep design team was able to achieve fit and finish complimented by lower interior noise levels.

An available all-new CommandView® dual-pane sun roof provides twice as much glass surface than a standard sun roof and extends from the windshield to the rear of the vehicle. The front panel may be opened rearward, providing additional light and fresh air to first-row passengers. The rear panel, which is fixed, allows light and open viewing for second-row passengers and comes standard with a power sun shade.

Interior Comfort: Inside, premium seating includes room for five passengers. An available fold-flat front-passenger seat provides improved cargo storage room on the Laredo model.

For added passenger comfort, rear seats recline a total of 18 degrees, offering seat comfort and flexibility and providing maximum rear cargo volume that is 11-percent larger than the previous model and 782L (27.6 cu. ft.) in total.

Compared to previous models, a larger front door opening is 48mm (1.9 in.) wider and 51mm (2 in.) higher, and the rear door opening is now 78 degrees (from 67 degrees) for better access to the interior.

The well-appointed rear cargo area includes a storage unit with a rechargeable flashlight and new and improved baggage hooks on both sides. The spare tire compartment includes removable dual storage bins for secure storage of muddy gear or other items.

An all-new power rear liftgate is available for effortless remote up/down convenience.

Powertrains

  • Available with two leading engine options: NEW 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and 5.7-liter V-8
  • 3.6-liter V-6 fuel consumption is rated at 11.4L/100km (combined) and CO2 of 265 g/km
  • Over 10-percent improved fuel consumption compared to the previous V-6 model
  • V-6 Variable-valve Timing (VVT) delivers 210 kW (286 hp DIN) of power and 347 N•m (256 lb.-ft.) of torque
  • Featured with the 5.7-liter V-8 is VVT that delivers 259 kW (352 hp DIN) of power and 520 N•m (384 lb.-ft.) of torque
  • Unsurpassed trailer tow capability of up to 3500kg (7,717 lbs.) for V-8 engine and 2268kg (5,000 lbs.) trailer tow capability with V-6 engine

All-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine: Jeep Grand Cherokee features the first application of the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine. This all-new 3.6-liter V-6 engine is standard on the Grand Cherokee and features an all-new design with double overhead camshafts (DOHC) and a high-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block in a 60-degree configuration. It features Variable-valve Timing (VVT) and delivers 210 kW (286 hp DIN) of power at 6,350 rpm and 347 N•m (256 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4,300 rpm, providing customers more than a 10-percent improvement in fuel consumption.

It is coupled with the proven W5A580 five-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and optimum fuel consumption. The five-speed W5A580 transmission includes adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver-interactive manual control and an electronically modulated torque converter clutch.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers trailer tow capability of up to 2268kg (5,000 lbs.) on models equipped with the Pentastar V-6 engine.

Legendary 5.7-liter V-8 engine: The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is also available with the legendary 5.7-liter MDS V-8 engine. Featuring VVT, it delivers 259 kW (352 hp DIN) of power at 5,200 rpm and 520 N•m (384 lb.-ft.) of torque at 4,200 rpm.

The 5.7-liter engine’s fuel-saving MDS seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-consumption four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. This optimizes fuel consumption when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee offers unsurpassed trailer tow capability of up to 3500kg (7,717 lbs.) when equipped with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine.

More than 45 Safety and Security Features
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee includes more than 45 safety and security features.

Standard safety features include Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM), four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with rough-road detection, four-wheel Brake Traction Control System (BTCS), Keyless Enter-N-Go (passive entry/pushbutton start), remote keyless entry, express up/down windows for driver and front-seat passenger, seat-belt pretensioners and Trailer-sway Control.

Other standard safety features include full-length side-curtain air bags that extend protection to front and rear outboard passengers, seat-mounted side thorax air bags that enhance protection for the driver and front passenger, standard driver inflatable knee bolster and active head restraints that deploy in the event of a rear collision.

The body structure is all new and designed to achieve expected safety performance in global markets (new roof-strength standards, side-impact standards and Euro pedestrian impact).

In June 2010, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee was presented with a ‘Top Safety Pick’ award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) – the highest rating the organization bestows. Vehicles that earn ‘Top Safety Pick’ meet the highest standards for crash test performance, encompassing state-of-the-art safety for the best protection in the most common types of crashes.

Manufacturing
The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee will be built at the nearly 278,709sq.m (3 million sq. ft.) Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit, which has been the North American site of Grand Cherokee production since its introduction in 1992.

In preparation for production of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, JNAP went through a complete transformation as part of World Class Manufacturing (WCM), an extensive and thorough process to restore all Chrysler Group facilities to their original and maximum functionality. Part of that transformation included the addition of a 26,477sq.m. (285,000 sq. ft.) expansion to replace the existing body shop, one piece of Chrysler Group’s investment of approximately €1.48 billion ($1.8 billion) in new vehicle programs.

During late 2009, the JNAP workforce went to work focusing on ways to improve the look and functionality of the plant. They made significant changes in workplace organization and logistics systems, found ways to improve quality and addressed ergonomic issues.

Taking the transformation one step further, more than 1,400 hourly and salaried employees participated in more than 44,000 hours of training in preparation for the launch and submitted over 2,500 suggestions on how to further improve the processes to ensure the highest quality Jeep Grand Cherokee rolls off the line. These changes, throughout paint and assembly operations, have given the facility an all-new level of manufacturing flexibility for multiple product capability.

“Restoring Jefferson North helps to maintain and increase the longevity of the facility and secures a future for our employees, our suppliers and the local community,” said Scott Garberding, Head of Manufacturing. “The results show the commitment, dedication, passion and pride of our employees and further demonstrate our commitment to the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan.”

JNAP was built in 1991 and was expanded in 1999.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Continues its Global Appeal

  • Jeep Grand Cherokee sold in over 100 countries
  • Fourth-generation Grand Cherokee strengthens its position as the global flagship of the Jeep brand
  • All-new Jeep Grand Cherokee brings premium features and amenities to the SUV segment and continues to set the off-road benchmark worldwide
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available in right-hand drive in late 2010

Since its introduction, more than 4.3 million Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles have been sold worldwide. The Grand Cherokee has revolutionized the SUV market and won numerous accolades from around the world.

Sold in over 100 countries, the Grand Cherokee led Jeep brand sales in 2009 outside of North America and was the second highest-selling model of all of Chrysler Group’s vehicles in international markets.

Leading the path carved by its three predecessors, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee will continue to set a global standard with its on-road refinement, off-road mastery and overall performance.

Jeep Brand
Built on nearly 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup includes Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside of North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with petrol and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.




Contact Information

Ariel Gavilan
Office: (248) 512-3404
Cell: (248) 495-4645
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