IT is not called “Grand” for nothing. The facelift Jeep Grand Cherokee which was officially launched at an open day M&Z Motors on Saturday, certainly lives up to its reputation of being just that – grand. And the iconic Jeep brand has been reloaded with a host of grand features for 2014 with includes a new engine, auto transmission, and other high tech features inside and out.
The crew from Advanced Driving Academy were there to demonstrate the vehicles’ driving capability and point what makes this stylish SUV tick. And for those who turned up for some M&Z ‘fruhshoppen’ hospitality and a memorable spin, were impressed by the punch under the bonnet, its 4×4 skills .
With the unveiling of the 2014 Grand Cherokee SUV range, comes the three distinct flavours, namely the Limited, Overland, and SRTV8 all packed with top of the range specification levels. What the Grand Cherokee does extremely well, is provide a velvety smooth, magic carpet ride regardless of the surface it’s being driven on.
With the facelift includes exterior design changes such as a shorter signature seven-slot grille, slimmer headlights, as well as the raised and more pronounced fog lights, the new LED headlamps, a bigger and more aerodynamic rear spoiler, new bumpers as well as a re-sculpted tailgate that offers greater rear visibility for the driver. Dual exhaust tips are now also standard on both the Limited and Overland models.
The most significant drivetrain news is the adoption of the eight-speed automatic transmission for all Grand Cherokees, three powerplants, enhanced handrafted interiors, the new 8.4 inch touch screen, the new 7 inch TFT customer configurable cluster display, and a host of advanced safety features.
Reversing is a breeze with its rear back-up camera that moves with the line of the vehicle presenting any surprises that are in your path. Plus Select Speed Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Stop Forward Collission Warning, are just some of the precautionary measure to avoid an accident.
The 2014 Grand Cherokee will be offered with a choice of five interior finishes, and is the most awarded luxurious five-seater SUV each one rich in leather and wood veneer, with an option of 11 colours to choose from.
Being a Jeep, the Grand Cherokee has a spec sheet that offers a mind-boggling array of chassis and suspension possibilities. There are three 4×4 systems namely the quadro lift, Jeep select terrain, Select-Trac dynamic control traction management systems that takes care of any surface and thrown at you.
The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a choice of three derivatives:
The Grand Cherokee Limited comes with a 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine rated for 210kW at 6350rpm and 347Nm at 4300rpm, driving all four wheels through the proven Quadra-Trac II system with high and low-range transfer case, using the antilock braking sensors to control traction.
The Overland model offers a choice of Pentastar V6 or 5.7-litre Hemi V8 power – all 259kW at 5200rpm and 520Nm at 4200rpm of it – delivered via a Quadra-Drive II high and low-range transfer case, with an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear axle. Quadra-Lift air suspension and the Selec-Terrain traction control are standard on Limited and Overland models.
The SRT8 has a 6.4-litre Hemi V8, for which Chrysler quotes 344kW at 6250rpm and 624Nm at 4100rpm, modulated by a Quadra-Trac active on-demand all wheel-drive transfer case, with brake traction control on the front axle and an electronic limited-slip differential on the rear wheels.
Diesel fans will also get behind the wheel of the new 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee when the 3-litre V6 CRD is launched later this year, with Jeep stating that pricing info for that model will be announced closer to date of launch.
In the world of motoring, nothing ever stands still, and nowhere is this survival-of-the-fittest struggle more intense that at the top of the SUV food chain, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee competes with the Porsche Cayenne, the Audi Q7, the ML-Class Mercedes-Benz and the BMW X5. The new Jeep is available at M&Z Motors Jeep showroom.
Pricing
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6 Limited N$584 000
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6 Overland N$646 990
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Overland N$679 990
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 N$879 990
By Donna Collins