2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

[haven]

Details of the Grand Cherokee for 2011 model year are set to be revealed at the NY Auto Show tomorrow. (That's assuming Chrysler still exists as a company in 2011.) Autoblog has lots of information and photos:
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/new-york-2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-must-serve-two-masters/

Items that stand out to me include:
-- no more diesel engine in the Grand Cherokee for USA (no big surprise--you can't buy a diesel Jeep in 2009, either)
-- no two speed transfer case until optional Quadra-Trac II
-- skid plates optional
-- front and rear independent suspension
-- wheelbase longer by 4 inches
-- take off the 7 slot Jeep grill, and the Grand looks like it could just as easily have been styled by Kia (not much Jeep heritage left, in other words).

I'm guessing that a fully optioned 2011 Grand Cherokee will cost around $45,000 (not much of a reach, since the 2009 Grand can cost $44K). This puts it into the price range of sophisticated all wheel drive vehicles like the Audi Q7, BMW X5, Land Rover LR3, and Mercedes ML320. Jeep decided it had to accentuate the "grand" in Grand Cherokee to compete.

There is some good news. The most capable offroad setup will be the Quadra-Drive II with e-locker and Quadra-Lift, an airbag system that adds 4 inches of lift. The new chassis is reported to be 146% stiffer than the current Grand Cherokee, stiffer even than the current BMW X5.

Chip Haven

 

[BKCowGod]

With the new JAGSUV (Just Another Generic Sport Utility Vehicle) concept, Jeep promises to lure in a previously untapped market - the blind and confused buyer who is drawn, raven-like, to the latest shiny object that is placed directly in front of them. Sales are predicted to be especially strong among those who steadfastly refuse to believe that we live in a global economy and therefore refuse to buy anything that is not purported to be American made, yet secretly want an Audi Q7.

Buy it now, before another once-proud name is completely destroyed. Oops... too late.

NOTE: Please don't take me too seriously.

 

[modelbuilder]

The design is pretty ugly. Too bad it isn't more Jeep like. I was hoping for something similar to the Trail Hawk concept.

It's going to be expensive too. Only the well off will be able to enjoy the airbag suspension system and the selectable terrain control.

For everyone else they get a bigger SUV with a 6 cylinder engine.

It doesn't seem weight/power proportionate.







.

 

[Darton]

Hmmm... Same ol' same ol'. I just read a national story on another site that said it get's 20 mpg 11% bettter than earlier models.

 

[The Swiss]

-- take off the 7 slot Jeep grill, and the Grand looks like it could just as easily have been styled by Kia

Chip Haven

Looks like a Trail Blazer to me. Probably drives and off-roads like one too

 

[Zeero]

Looks like some hippy strewn space age design. Totally not what Jeep is all about. Designed by the same guy who did the 2nd phase Compass. (The 1st phase was originally supposed to be a Dakar Rally type vehicle that was buyable by the public.....)

I really think Jeep needs to separate into its own brand....get away from Chrysler and their prototype dreams....

I think Hummer needs to do the same....get away from GM and keep a tradition going..

...both need to be that "Go anywhere" type vehicles....

 

[ExpoMike]

-- take off the 7 slot Jeep grill, and the Grand looks like it could just as easily have been styled by Kia

Chip Haven

I agree 100%. This could be the new Kia, if Chrysler goes bankrupt. Kia could buy them and change the grill and have a new model ready to go...

I also agree that the pricing puts it into a higher market in where the Jeep name is not respected.

Oh well, doesn't matter as I won't be buying it and with the current state of things, seriously doubt I will be buying any US brand.

 

[Redline]

I love this term 'JAGSUV' did you invent it?

With the new JAGSUV (Just Another Generic Sport Utility Vehicle) concept,snip..............

 

[Rob O]

Decided 'BMW X5' exterior styling ... and with estimate price point and options of the high-spec version, likely a targeted competitor when the business plan was drawn up by Jeep marketing folks. Too bad they'll have to discount the ******** out of them to move 'em off lots (making the $45k MSRP less of a "suggested price" and more of a market segmentation pipe dream). Good news for those who are interested though ... they'll likely suffer insane depreciation and be available a year or two out (used) for less than 50% of sticker. ;-)

 

[haven]

Autoblog has a series of photos taken at the Grand Cherokee introduction. Here's one that shows the 11 inches of ground clearance provided by the air suspension

See the full set of photos here
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-jeep-grand-cherokee-live-reveal-1

The Grand Cherokee will have two rows of seats at first. I'd expect a stretched chassis with three rows (Grand Cherokee XL perhaps) in 2012.

Darton is right about the improved 3.6L gas V6. It's got 280 hp and 260 ft-lbs., up from 202 hp and 237 ft lb in the 2009 V6. An 11% improvement in fuel mileage would put it at 19 mpg combined. This engine will find its way into the Wrangler at some point.

 

[BKCowGod]

I love this term 'JAGSUV' did you invent it?

As far as I know... Maybe I should register it before Jeep or Tata takes it!

 

[muddyluxury]

i wonder if you can ride around with the suspension cranked all the way up like that, just get some MTRs and call it good.

and to my knowladge the new GC i am assuming w/t the v8 would have the highest tow rating for anything in its class, i wanna say that would be competing with the likes the expedition and 1500 and 150 trucks

edit: can't wait to see what AEV does when they get thier hands on it

 

[Tanto]

I'm going against the grain. I like it. It brings us back to the WJ in many ways from a design perspective. I would like 7 passenger seating.

I like the air suspension concept. Since I own both an IFS and live axle vehicle, I am more comfortable with IFS when married to an air suspension. Don't be so quick to degrade the design of that set up. The air suspension works well to maintain ground contact and promote good articulation.

I would love to have the opportunity to drive one of these and put it though its paces with an aggressive set of tires on it. I think the nay-sayers will be very surprised with out-of-the-box performance.

Now if they put front and rear lockers in it the vehicle will rival LR and LC models in capability. It may even do better because it has a lower Gross Vehicle Weight and shorter wheel base. From an expedition perspective this vehicle could have a lot of potential.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I believe those V6 power ratings are comparable to the V8 H.O. ratings of the WJ. Pretty impressive if you ask me.

Now my biggest concern would be the strength & durability of an IRS in real off-raod situations.

Other than that, I like what I'm seeing.

 

[calamaridog]

Thank goodness they are finally debuting the revolutionary Phoenix (Pentastar) line of V6 motors. Let's pray it makes its way into the JK as soon as possible.