You can almost hear the traditional Marine Corps war cry: “Oorah, Oorah,” echoing through the Cobo Centre at the NAIAS in Detroit. This, as the proudly American auto industry starts to finally pull itself up by its boot straps. First it was the new Dodge Viper SRT, then the new Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray, and now a new, more frugal and better looking Jeep Grand Cherokee. From the outside at least, out of the economic strife of a few years ago, there appears to be a lot to be proud of in the American motoring landscape.
In current form the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been on sale locally since 2011, and yet, this relatively short amount of time hasn’t curtailed Chrysler bringing a notable facelift to the well traveled American SUV. The new Jeep Grand Cherokee has bowed in Detroit for the first time.
Redesigned in front, the Grand Cherokee now brandishes newly shaped headlamps, a traditional seven-slot grille and a new, larger bumper. The ‘de-chromed’ grille design and new headlights borrow much more closely from the latest Chrysler 300C. Around the back, you’ll find a redesigned tail gate and bumper. The ribbon-like tail-lights have been given a much more European look, replete with their popular LED beams.
Inside, the centre console receives new controls and a touchscreen for the infotainment interface. On the tech front, Chrysler has also updated their UConnect infotainment system. There’s also a new steering wheel, as well as an instrument cluster with second TFT screen showing vehicle information. The transmission lever is new and is as you’ll find on the new Chrysler 300C.
Most importantly for the resurgent brand, under the skin, Jeep has introduced a new ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, which is available on all engines. In the U.S. Jeep are happy to include their very capable 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel CRD engine for the first time. The frugal oil-burner is said to return an estimated 7.8 L/100 km, making it the most economical 4×4 Jeep they’ve ever sold there.
This is attainable in no small amount, thanks to the long-awaited ZF automatic transmission, which replaces the ageing cog-swappers the Grand Cherokee had to make do with in the past.
News of a South African arrival date for the facelifted Jeep Grand Cherokee is not known as yet, but to keep Jeep fans occupied until then, there is the limited Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Alpine Edition. Quite where they got the ‘Alpine Edition’ from in the heat of a sweltering South African summer, we do not know, but it does appear to be quite a cool looking car all the same, if you’ll excuse the pun.
95 units of the Alpine Edition Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 are available and are differentiated by their unique Bright White paintwork, Black Vapor chrome finishes on the 20-inch rims and exterior appointments. These appointments include the Jeep bonnet badge, the door badge, the front grille surrounds, the rear light bar, the step plate and the rear tailgate SRT8 badge.
Chrysler South Africa say the Alpine Edition sets the Jeep Brand’s low-volume, high-performance SRT8 apart and is available immediately for R864 990. That’s R45 000 dearer than the Cherokee SRT8′s standard price of R819 990.
