The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee has just gone on sale in South Africa and it has climbed a good few steps up the sophistication ladder. Chrysler even managed to plonk it onto the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class platform before the big divorce.
This new Grand Cherokee aims to deliver a great balance between off-road ability and on-road comfort.
This is achieved via the all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension system that's paired up with the new Selec-Terrain system that allows the driver to choose the drive system that best matches the prevailing driving conditions, be they on tar or in the middle of the bundus.
Further aiding its off-road ability is a torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case while its on-road cause if furthered by new front and rear independent suspension systems.
According to Jeep, torsional stiffness, compared with the previous model, has improved by 146 percent, leading to much-improved NVH characteristics.
South Africans initially have two petrol engines to choose from, the base engine being Chrysler's new 3.6-litre Pentastar DOHC V6 that delivers 210kW and 347Nm at 4800rpm - offering a healthy improvement in performance while being up to 11 percent more frugal than the previous V6.
This version offers a trailer towing capacity of up to 2268kg and a claimed driving range of 800km between tanks.
At the top of the pecking order is the 5.7-litre HEMI V8, good for 259kW and 520Nm at 4250rpm, and capable of operating in four-cylinder mode when economical driving is in order. This one will tow a 3500kg trailer.
Diesel fans will have to wait until late 2011 for their engine of choice to join the Grand Cherokee range.
Of course, being a far more sophisticated vehicle and with the cabin finishes and bells and whistles to match, the Grand Cherokee does not come cheap, with prices starting at R531 990.
PRICING:
3.6 Ltd - R531 990
3.6L Overland - R581 990
5.7 HEMI Overland - R637 990