Teknikens Värld, a Swedish car magazine, is claiming that the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland failed its high speed swerve test. This is also known as the Moose Test, because it's what you'd do if suddenly a moose walked out onto the road ahead of you.
For the test, the magazine staff inflated the tires to recommended pressure, and loaded the car with five adults and enough sandbags to bring the SUV up to its full load rating (about 1600 lb). Then, with all safety systems switched on, they drove through the swerve test course at faster and faster speeds. At just about 40 mph, the swerve maneuver tipped the Grand up on two wheels. Similar SUVs (BMW X5, Volvo XC90, VW Touareg) have passed this test without incident at speeds higher than 40 mph.
Here's the page with a video of the test http://www.teknikensvarld.se/jeepmoosetest/
Kudos to the cameraman for continuing to film while 6500 lb of out-of-control SUV barrels toward him!
The magazine points to the Overland edition's tire and wheel package (265/50 on a 20 inch rim) as a contributing factor. In the test movie, it looks like the rear tire folds under to the point where the edge of the rim touches the pavement.
Chrysler disputes the claim, saying they were unable to recreate the problem. Chrysler thinks there was something fishy with the test procedure.
For the test, the magazine staff inflated the tires to recommended pressure, and loaded the car with five adults and enough sandbags to bring the SUV up to its full load rating (about 1600 lb). Then, with all safety systems switched on, they drove through the swerve test course at faster and faster speeds. At just about 40 mph, the swerve maneuver tipped the Grand up on two wheels. Similar SUVs (BMW X5, Volvo XC90, VW Touareg) have passed this test without incident at speeds higher than 40 mph.
Here's the page with a video of the test http://www.teknikensvarld.se/jeepmoosetest/
Kudos to the cameraman for continuing to film while 6500 lb of out-of-control SUV barrels toward him!
The magazine points to the Overland edition's tire and wheel package (265/50 on a 20 inch rim) as a contributing factor. In the test movie, it looks like the rear tire folds under to the point where the edge of the rim touches the pavement.
Chrysler disputes the claim, saying they were unable to recreate the problem. Chrysler thinks there was something fishy with the test procedure.
