Jeep releases first Cherokee Blackhawk

It's been available on the rest of the Jeep range previously and now the limited-edition Blackhawk treatment can be had with Jeep's newest model, the mid-size Cherokee, as well as the latest MY15 Grand Cherokee.

The first Cherokee Blackhawk comes standard with a range of popular options, including larger 18-inch gloss black wheels (up from 17-inch), a larger 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system (up from 5.0-inch) with digital radio, black interior highlights and gloss-black Jeep badging, roof-rails, side sills, window surrounds and front and rear fascia designs.

Priced at $41,000 plus on-road costs – $2000 higher than the entry-level all-wheel drive Cherokee Longitude V6 auto on which it's based – the Cherokee Blackhawk is powered by a 200kW/316Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar petrol V6.

Meantime, the 2015 Grand Cherokee Blackhawk adds a similar range of dark-themed extras and also costs $2000 more than the model on which it's based – in this case the Grand Cherokee Laredo 4X4 – at $50,500 plus ORCs for the petrol variant and $56,500 plus ORCs for the diesel.

There are no changes to the 210kW/347Nm 3.6-litre petrol V6 or the 184kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6, but the host of upgrades includes exclusive 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels (up from 18-inch on Laredo) painted in high-gloss black and finished with black centre caps, plus body-colour fascias, wheel-arch flares and side sills.

Jeep's seven-slot grille is also wrapped in a gloss-black surround, while platinum chrome vents, gunmetal headlight bezels and gloss-black foglight bezels and Jeep bonnet badge complete the chrome-and-black look up front.

At the rear are dual bright exhaust outlets, along with gloss-black tail-light bezels, rear step pad, rear Jeep and 4x4 badges and side Grand Cherokee badge, plus a Blackhawk boot badge and black roof mouldings to replace roof-rails.

Inside, the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk offers black Capri leather and perforated suede seat trim with black accent stitching, plus heated front seats, deep-tint sunscreen glass and silver anodized interior finishes.

"Jeep customers love to personalise their vehicles and the Blackhawk range offers some of the most popular options in one value-packed offering," said FCA Australia President and CEO Pat Dougherty.

"This is the first time the Cherokee has been offered in Jeep's signature Blackhawk style, and I'm pleased to say it looks absolutely fantastic."