DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Jeep Grand Cherokee goes eight-speed
Fuel economy the big winner as Jeep's popular Grand Cherokee adopts ZF auto across the rangeA new eight-speed automatic transmission and the fuel consumption improvements it triggers are the most significant aspects of a Jeep Grand Cherokee upgrade announced ahead of this week’s Detroit motor show.
The popular American four-wheel drive wagon will also receive external and internal updates, however, much about the specification of the Grand Cherokee update, which arrives in Australia in quarter three, is yet to be resolved.
That includes pricing, which is important because the keen value of the Grand Cherokee has been one of the key reasons for its sales popularity ahead of such hefty competition as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3.
“Our plan is to continue our policy of razor sharp pricing, although the exact figures haven’t been finalised as yet,” Jeep Australia’s Lenore Fletcher told motoring.com.au.
Currently all Grand Cherokees sold in Australia employ a five-speed auto except for the six-speed in the 5.7-litre V8 Limited. Even the 6.4-litre 344kW SRT super-SUV uses a five-speed auto.
Jeep claims the new ZF 8HP70 eight-speed boosts fuel efficiency and improves four-wheel drive performance thanks to a lower crawl ratio.
On the US testing cycle 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6 is now claimed to achieve 9.41L/100km, compared to the current version’s official 11.0L/100km average in Australia. The 5.7-litre V8 averages 11.2 mpg (14.1L/100km here) and the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 – which is being launched into the US at Detroit – rates 7.84L/00km (8.3L/100km).
The hi-po SRT’s new figure was not announced. It currently averages 14.1L/100km. Jeep says it will be better because of the transmission and modifications to the engine’s cylinder deactivation mode.
A new 8.4-inch touch-screen display is a new interior feature, as is a seven-inch configurable cluster display. There are new leather, wood and colour offerings. US models also feature UConnect Access and cloud-based voice texting. A new ‘Summit’ luxury model has also been launched in the USA.
Exterior updates include available bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lamps.
Specific improvements for the SRT include a 44 per cent boosted towing capacity to 3265kg, more rear orientation of Selec-Track 4WD in ‘track’ mode, standard launch control, a brawnier grille, a one-touch liftgate and spoiler and a redesigned steering wheel with more ergonomic shift paddles.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
