Jeep pulled out the stops in designing the 2011 Grand Cherokee. Except for the deletion of the front locker (ELSD) that will detract from current standards (hopefully, Jeep will reconsider), the new GC promises to be a comfortable on-pavement performer and an extremely competent off-road vehicle (put that front ELSD back). Here’s what Jeep says:
Nearly 18 years ago, Jeep invented the premium SUV segment with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales later, Jeep improves the formula and hits the sweet spot of real-world capability and on-road refinement with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2011 Grand Cherokee features:
New Selec-Terrain™ system with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II offers five terrain settings: Auto, Sand/Mud, Sport, Snow and Rock to match driving conditions
First application of company’s all-new, flexible fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine which features Variable-Valve Timing (VVT), 280 hp (209 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 N•m) @ 4,800 rpm – an 11 percent improvement in fuel economy, 33 percent in horsepower and 11 percent in torque. The legendary 5.7 Hemi V8 will also be available
World-class interior features include real wood and leather, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, four-way power lumbar controls, rain-sensitive wipers, Keyless Entry/Keyless Go, ParkView rear camera and power tilt/telescoping steering column with memory
Larger front- and rear-door openings (78 degrees) for improved ingress/egress compared to current model (67 degrees)
More than 4 inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room (38.6 inches) compared to previous model with reclining second-row seats
Larger cargo volume (36.3 cubic feet) provides 17 percent more room for gear compared to current model (31 cubic feet)
All-new independent front and rear suspension systems deliver premium on-road manners with isolated front and rear suspension cradles and variable-rate rear springs that combine to enhance on-road character and ride comfort
All-new body structure’s torsional stiffness is 146 percent stiffer than current model and stiffer than the BMW X5 and Toyota Highlander for improved durability and reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
Stiffness achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. This marks a 53-percent increase in spot welds, a 42-percent increase in arc welds and a 38-percent increase in structural adhesive
More than 45 safety and security features including standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Roll Mitigation, Hill-Start Assist, Trailer-Sway Control and available Hill-Descent Control
UConnect guardian standard on all models and includes: Automatic Crash Notification, Emergency Call, Roadside Assistance Call, Remote Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance
The new Grand Cherokee promises to be quite a vehicle.