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Not a trace of recession, the Jeep brand sells more vehicles in Germany than ever before. And what is being sold are not small eco-cars. Full-grown all-wheel drive vehicles for people who like the big car. Originally American in layout but meanwhile at a high European level in processing and impression.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee was tested with me almost exactly a year ago and even then I enthusiastically wrote: "Cowboy in a noble thread". Jeep has now presented the latest generation of models, typically American as the model year “2014”. The Grand Cherokee, however, is not a new car, it was "only" adapted to customer requirements and equipped with the very latest technology.
Presentation Jeep Grand Cherokee
There are a few details on the Grand Cherokee that still recall its common origin with the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. The foot parking brake, for example, or the lack of an operating lever on the right side of the steering column. Otherwise, Jeep struggles to realize the original American way of drive. Both fact are by the way, not bad!
During my time with the new model year, I was able to drive what is probably the coolest Jeep of all time and the guaranteed most sensible engine for the Grand Cherokee. The hottest variant? The SRT-8 with its 6.4 liter V8. In proportion to its fascinating aura, however, the sales figures of the 468 hp 2.5-ton athlete should move. At least in countries with fuel prices like ours. Much more sensible for everyday life and, thanks to beefy torque, never with the feeling of an impending fit of weakness on the road: the V6 diesel.
The test car 1:
Model Name: Grand Cherokee SRT
Vehicle class: Premium sports SUV
For sale: Since 15.07.13
Power: 468 PS
Base Price:
76.9k €
The test car 2:
Model Name: Grand Cherokee 3.0 Diesel Overland
Vehicle class: Premium SUV
For sale: Since 15.07.13
Power: 250 PS
Base Price:
62.3k €
What's new on the Grand Cherokee
In addition to the 468 PS V8 and the 250 PS Diesel Jeep also offers the Grand Cherokee 2014 with a tame 190 PS V6 diesel variant. Also in the offer of 3.6 liter Pentastar V6-Benzinmotor, which among other things also with E85 (ethanol) can be refueled. All engines have in common the connection with the famous ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. And when I write splendid, I mean that there is currently no better automatic transmission on the market. Fast gear changes. Smooth gear changes. And the wide spread of the gears leads to an active, but economical vehicle. The Grand Cherokee test last year had this point of criticism:
An 5-steps automatic you do not get to drive often today. The big Cherokee still has such a classic automatic torque converter with clear deficits in the area of the gear connections and the reaction speed.
With the 8 gear ZF automatic transmission is then done this point and as far as the topic of driving comfort, so heard the new Grand Cherokee is clearly the best you can buy in the field of premium full-size SUV models.
Harman Kardon
For Jeep, was it all about fulfilling the wishes of customers with the new vintage of the big Cherokee and at the top of the wish list of current new car buyers? A modern, clever but easy to use multimedia system. The answer to that is: uconnect. A multimedia system with a 8.4 ″ touchscreen and a close connection to the operating functions of the vehicle.
The multimedia system developed by Harman Kardon not only takes on any sound tasks, connects a mobile phone via Bluetooth and navigates with graphically beautiful 3D navigation material, you can also use it to operate climate settings, seat ventilation and other vehicle systems. In the case of the SRT or the “Summit” equipment, the large SUV becomes a rolling concert hall. Because then a 7.3 surround sound system (also Harman Kardon) takes over the sound reinforcement for the occupants.
Power to the People - SRT
No one needs an 2.5-ton heavy SUV that jumps from 5 to 0 km / h in 100 seconds and its all around with 295er Pirelli P-Zero frosted 20 inch wheels, 257 km / h can be spun over the track quickly. But great - it is. Thanks to the lush tires, a power distribution emphasized in Sport mode and the special BILSTEIN suspension, the SRT feels like a dancing elephant on coke. Handy? In relation to size and weight, perfect!
Power SRT:
468 PS
torque:
624 Nm
Sprint 0-100 km / h:
5.0 sec.
Pachyderms with addictive potential.
Full power cross-country - thanks to Quadra-Drive
Much more reasonable is the 250 HP diesel engine from the manufacturer VM. With hardly less torque at the start than the large V8, the three-liter V6 plays the part of the efficient SUV engine. In the combined NEDC with a consumption of only 7.5 liters of diesel per 100 km, the diesel SUV classified in efficiency class B is then also suitable for real off-road tours. Starting with the Overland equipment line, the new Grand Cherokee offers the off-road package with the “Quadra-Drive II” baptized all-wheel drive and the Quadra-Lift air suspension. Together, the clever transfer case or the air suspension with up to 28 centimeters of ground clearance are responsible for the big man's sovereign robbing through the terrain!
3.0 V6 Diesel:
250 PS
torque:
570 Nm
Sprint 0-100 km / h:
8.2 sec.
“Go anywhere, do anything” is Indian and translated means: Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Consumption values Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 MultiJet V6 Diesel:
emissions:
198 g / km CO²
Consumption:
7.5 l / 100km
Efficiency rating:
B
(All data are the manufacturer's data for the 250 PS V6 Diesel)
Which I personally liked very much
HDMI inputs for the multimedia system. Two USB charging sockets for the passengers in the second row. In addition, many unnecessary buttons in the center console can be saved because their functions have been integrated into the display menu that can be operated via touchscreen. I like this concentration on modern and contemporary technology. In addition, there are hardly any weaknesses in the chassis. On the contrary, the SRT in particular impresses with handling that is well-engineered for this size and whoever orders the Grand Cherokee with air suspension (Quadra-Lift) enjoys the expected suspension comfort of an SUV in conjunction with dynamic country road talent and real off-road talent.
And finally ...
The big Cherokee has become the flagship Jeep brand, rightly so. Rarely has a big SUV made me as much fun as the Grand Cherokee. And with the last generation, the worst problems with processing and choice of materials have already been eliminated. With the current generation, the demand for haptics and choice of material has once again increased.
Corresponding to the success of the Jeep, the group has slightly increased the prices for the new model, and yet the confident, well-designed and well-equipped Grand Cherokee remains a priced, more than interesting alternative in the segment of premium SUVs
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All photos: Bjoern Habegger - Canon 6D - 24-105mm Ultrasonic