The Fiat influence is obvious in the lineup of the all-new Jeep Cherokee which includes a 2.0-litre diesel powerplant – perfect for Europe.
While details of the diesel have not been announced, Jeep has confirmed its new mid-size SUV will be available in both two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive and debuts Chrysler Group’s new 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine with maximum power of 199kW at 6500rpm, peak torque of 316Nm at 4000rpm and the best-in-class V6 towing capacity of 2,041kgs.
The other petrol engine is the four-cylinder 2.4-litre MultiAir2 ‘Tigershark’ I-4 with 137kW/232Nm. Jeep says the new 2.4-litre will deliver fuel consumption 45 per-cent improved over the previous ‘Liberty’ model and a range between refills approaching 800kms.
Big news on the transmission front with the all-new Jeep Cherokee the first SUV to be offered with a nine-speed automatic.
And big news too underneath with the all-new Jeep Cherokee jettisoning the ladder-type chassis and adopting a MacPherson strut front-end and multi-link rear. In fact it’s FIAT Group architecture and the Cherokee runs the new ‘Compact U.S. Wide (CUS-wide) modular platform which means other models will use the same chassis architecture.
Of course, Jeep being Jeep, the all-new Cherokee comes to market with sensational off-road ability. The newcomer lists a crawl ratio up to 56:1 (a 90 per-cent improvement over the superseded model), three new four-wheel-drive systems (the best delivering Jeep Active Drive Lock – two-speed power transfer unit, low range and a locking rear differential) and the new Jeep Selec-Terrain traction control setting with up to five driver-select modes.
The headline act in the off-road department is the Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk which is ‘Trail Rated’ (meaning it gets all of the legendary Jeep ‘go-anywhere’ capability in areas like traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation and water-fording). The Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk runs unique front and rear fascias, a ‘one-inch’ factory lift, the Jeep Active Drive Lock with locking rear differential and impressive stats in the areas which count: approach angle 29.8 degrees, departure angle 32.1 degrees and breakover angle 23.3 degrees.
But it’s the styling of the all-new Jeep Cherokee which will be the major talking point. In particular it’s the front end with a new ‘waterfall’ design bonnet and a new interpretation of the hallmark Jeep seven-slot grille.
Jeep says the all-new look moves the company into the next era while maintaining the Jeep ‘DNA’. There’s a powerful stance thanks to the aggressive wheel-to-body proportion and, while the upper body is fluid and sleek, it contrasts with the lower half which alludes to the Cherokee’s capability thanks to a more rugged look.
LED lights are used throughout and the front DRLs play a major role in crafting that aggressive front-end.
Trailhawk models highlight their ‘go-anywhere’ ability with an even more sturdy exterior.
Inside there is a much more sophisticated and complex design with premium materials, soft-touch finishes and seats in cloth or Nappa leather. Instrumentation is via a seven-inch LED cluster and there’s a large 8.4-inch colour touchscreen media centre.
The rear seat split-folds 60;40 and slides fore-aft for greater passenger and cargo versatility.
Technology and safety take centre stage too with the all-new Jeep Cherokee offering up to 70 safety and security features and 10 airbags as standard. Included in the list are adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, a rear-view camera with cross path detection and ParkSense Parallel/Perpendicular Park Assist which, like other systems, does the steering while the driver just operates brake and accelerator.
The Jeep Cherokee is made at the Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio and while full local details will be announced closer to launch Fiat-Chrysler CEO Clyde Campbell has indicated the new model will start around $30,000.
