2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

All-new platform offers enhanced fuel economy and off-road features

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Yesterday Chrysler unveiled an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee in New York. The new Jeep shares underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz ML.

Buyers can select from two engines and three four-wheel drive systems. A new air suspension and Selec-Terrain traction control provide additional ground clearance and better handling on uneven trails.

The Grand Cherokee is the first application of Chrysler’s new Pentastar V-6, which yields 11 percent better fuel economy and 33 percent more horsepower than the block it replaces. The Grand Cherokee is also available with a hemi V8.

Engineers refined on-road handling with an all-new fully independent suspension and improvements in torsional rigidity.

Standard safety features include electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation and hill-start assist. Standard uconnect guardian includes automatic crash notification, roadside assistance and stolen vehicle location.

Quadra-lift air suspension

The new air suspension has five settings to optimize the Grand Cherokee’s off-road performance and aerodynamics at speed. The driver operates the system using console controls, adjusting ride height between 8.1-inches for normal conditions, to 11.1-inches for extreme off-road trails.

A park mode lowers the vehicle 1.5-inches to ease ingress and egress.  The vehicle automatically lowers .6 inches from normal ride height at highway speeds, to enhance fuel economy.

Selec-terrain traction control, plus three four-wheel drive systems

The new traction control system modifies braking, suspension, engine throttle, and shift points for five driving situations: automatic, sport, sand/mud, snow and rock.

The traction control system is standard with two four-wheel drive systems. Quadra Trac II has a two-speed transfer case to provide low gears for extreme terrain. The system can send up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque to the axle with the best traction. Quadra Drive II comes with a rear electronic differential, which automatically adjusts for wheel slippage.

The third system, Quadra Trac I is a full-time four-wheel drive system with one-speed transfer case.

Aerodynamic design

Designers improved the Grand Cherokee’s coefficient of drag seven percent over the outgoing model with a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile. At the same time, styling incorporates classic Jeep cues such as the seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches.

Buyers can upgrade from standard 17-inch wheels to 18 or 20-inch rims.

Chrysler will build the 2011 Grand Cherokee at its 2.7-million square foot Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit.