NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Jeep's radical new Cherokee

We saw it a month ago and now Jeep has staged the world debut of its polarising new Cherokee at the New York motor show overnight.

Confirmed for release in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, the new Cherokee will also be available in the US with new 2.4-litre and 3.2-litre petrol engines matched to the Chrysler group’s new nine-speed automatic transmission – a first for any SUV.

As the first Jeep to ride on the Fiat Chrysler group’s Compact US Wide (CUS-wide) platform, the US off-road brand is claiming fuel consumption reductions of more than 45 per cent and “world-class on-road dynamics”, yet some 4x4 versions of the steel monococque-based, transverse-engined Cherokee still promise best-in-class capability.

To that end, although entry-level Cherokees will drive only their front wheels, three new four-wheel drive systems will be available: Jeep Active Drive I with a one-speed power transfer unit (PTU), Jeep Active Drive II with a two-speed PTU and low-range and Jeep Active Drive Lock with two-speed PTU, low-range and a locking rear differential.

In addition, the new Cherokee will come with a new Jeep Selec-Terrain traction control system offering up to five modes (Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud and Rock) a class-leading 2041kg towing capacity for the V6, “Jeep Trail Rated” off-road ability and a crawl ratio of up to 56:1 for 2.4-litre variants (47.8:1 for V6s) – a 90 per cent improvement on its predecessor. Low range provides a 2.92:1 gear reduction.

Fuel-efficiency measures include an industry-first rear-axle disconnect system that reduces energy loss when 4x4 capability isn’t needed and the replacement of the current Cherokee’s 3.7-litre V6 with Chrysler’s new 3.2-litre Pentastar V6.

The latter is available in North America’s mid-range Longitude and Limited and hard-core “trail-rated” Trailhawk variants, in which the DOHC 24-valve alloy V6 produces 199kW of power and 316Nm of torque.

The first deployment of the Chrysler group’s new 2.4-litre four-cylinder Tigershark MultiAir petrol engine, which delivers 137kW/232Nm, will be in entry-level Cherokee Sport, plus Longitude and Limited variants, all of which are claimed to make the Cherokee at least 45 per cent more efficient than before and offer a driving range of almost 800km.

In addition to the new platform, a variation of which underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the new Cherokee comes with independent MacPherson strut front and four-link trailing-arm rear suspensions and increased torsional stiffness thanks to a body comprising 65 per cent high-strength steel, helping to deliver an “exceptionally quiet cabin”

Although its bold new exterior has been almost universally lambasted, the car-maker says the new Cherokee’s more aerodynamic design is inspired by Jeep heritage, aggressive 29.8-degree approach and 32.1-degree departure angles contribute to unrivalled off-road ability and new LED daytime running lights herald the all-new model’s advanced technologies.

Inside, says Jeep, is a cabin featuring “world-class” craftsmanship, plenty of soft-touch surfaces and a first-in-class new CommandView panoramic sunroof and Sky Slider roof.

The five-seat SUV’s 60/40-split second-row seat slides fore and aft, its front passenger seat folds flat and offers covered in-seat storage, and a range of clever storage areas includes the Jeep Cargo Management System.

A procession of advanced new technologies includes a full-colour seven-inch configurable LED instrument cluster, a Uconnect 8.4-inch colour touch-screen media centre and Uconnect Access Via Mobile.

Jeep says more than 70 advanced safety and security features are available in all, including 10 standard airbags, Adaptive Cruise Control-Plus, Forward Collision Warning-Plus, Lane Departure Warning-Plus, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection and a ParkView reversing camera with dynamic grid lines.

There are also LED tail-lights and the ParkSense parallel/perpendicular park assist system – made possible by electrically assisted power steering – for the first time in a Chrysler group model.

Turning circle is listed at 11.5 metres for 4x2 models and 11.6 metres for 4x4 models, while the V6 4x2’s kerb weight is 1729kg and wheel sizes are 17- and 18-inch.

Exterior paint colours available in the US include: Bright White Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Metallic Clear Coat, Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl Coat, Eco Green Pearl Coat, Mango Tango Pearl Coat, Auburn Pearl Coat, Cashmere Pearl Coat and Granite Crystal.

Unlike Australia, where large wagons dominate the SUV sector, the mid-size Cherokee SUV competes in North America’s largest single SUV segment, with about two million sales in 2012 (versus 110,000 mediums SUVs in Australia last year).

“The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be the benchmark for mid-size SUVs with a new level of on-road driving dynamics and fuel economy, while at the same time improving the 4x4 capability that customers expect from Jeep,” said Jeep Brand President and CEO, Mike Manley.

As we’ve reported, 2014 Cherokee production begins at Chrysler’s Toledo North assembly plant in Ohio in mid-2013.