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By
MURRAY HUBBARD
2 January 2012
When the all-new Grand Cherokee was launched midway through 2011
there was a major gap in the Jeep flagship’s under-bonnet
region: a diesel engine. That has since been added to the range in
the form of a 3.0-litre V6 high-tech unit developed by Fiat. This
powerplant was a feature of our review vehicle this week.
Of the three engines now
available in the Jeep Grand Cherokee the diesel is the pick of the
bunch for Australian conditions. At around 2.4 tonnes this is not
a light vehicle and the V6 petrol is underdone for this mass and
suffers accordingly. The V8 – as refined and smooth as it is and
even with the ability to shut down four cylinders – borders on
the irrelevant in today’s world.
With 550 Nm of torque on tap
between 1800 and 2800 rpm the Fiat turbo-diesel delivers grunt –
and sensible fuel consumption – in a package ideally suited to
the heavy Grand Cherokee. Jeep claim consumption of 8.3 litres on
combined cycle. The turbo diesel is fitted with the latest
1800-bar injectors with new MultiJet II technology.
The fuel consumption of the
thrifty diesel is cutting edge: we had a consistent reading of 6.8
litres per 100 km on highway cruising. Combine that with the huge
93.5-litre fuel tank and this vehicle will certainly appeal to
those covering long distances.
If we had a criticism it
would only be that we’d like to see a six-speed automatic
instead of the five-speed used in all Grand Cherokee variants.
New Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD
is rated to tow 3.5 tonnes, a tonne more than the popular Toyota
Prado and more than a tonne over its sibling, the V6 petrol Grand
Cherokee.
Grand Cherokee is
pigeon-holed in the luxury SUV category, even in entry level
Laredo format, and its appearance lives up to that tag. It is
sleek and contemporary in a shape that will be fashionable for
years to come. At 4822 mm long Grand Cherokee is not the biggest
of the bunch but still houses five in comfort with more than
adequate cargo area. Seven seats are not an option.
Active safety items include
ABS, EBD, brake assist, stability control and traction control.
Passive safety is looked after by seven airbags including dual
front, dual front side and full-length curtain.
Those of us who have been
around for a while remember Jeep’s cumbersome 4WD lever was the
automotive equivalent of a dentist pulling teeth. User-friendly it
wasn’t. Jeep – in the Mercedes era – came into modern times
and the Selec-Terrain system for off-road work is a simple switch
between modes designed for sand/mud, rocks, snow or tarmac. This
system adjusts traction control to suit the conditions the give
the vehicle as much grip as possible in the varying conditions. It
works, and works well.
There’s also a button for
low range and one for hill descent and, where fitted, Quadra-Lift
air suspension with buttons to raise and lower the body.
We don’t like the US
parking brake system, an extra Mercedes’ style pedal located to
the left of the brake pedal which you stand on to engage or
disengage. When not in use it intrudes on the driver’s left leg.
We’d prefer the old fashioned hand brake lever or even an
electric touch hand brake.
Even the Laredo has the
audio controls on the steering wheel as well as cruise control.
The wheel has manual reach and tilt adjustment and combined with
the driver’s eight-way power seat should mean most drivers can
find the ideal driving position.
The instruments are clear
and easy to see. A rear view camera is standard. The seats are
comfortable and supportive. There are plenty of cup and bottle
holders and storage bins dotted throughout the vehicle. We liked
the two removable bins that fit in around the full-size spare
wheel - normally wasted space.
The rear seat is a 60/40
split and is simple to fold down increasing boot space from a
generous 782 litres to 1554 litres. If the middle seat is not in
use there’s a fold down armrest complete with twin drink holder
for rear seat passengers. The rear pew is comfortable and offers
good head room, average shoulder room and good leg space,
depending on the height of front seat passengers and how far back
the seats are adjusted.
The compromise between
on-road comfort and off-road talent is brilliant and we could live
with the Grand Cherokee Laredo. Especially with its rrp of just
$50,000 plus on-roads.
The driving minus is that
Grand Cherokee can be a little ponderous when negotiating tight
corners at speed.
We see the big plusses for
the Laredo being price, towing ability for vans and horse floats
and low fuel consumption. Those in the market for an economical
towing vehicle with a lot of bling should have the Grand Cherokee
Laredo on the test drive list.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
Petrol V6
Laredo $45,000
Limited $55,000
Limited 70th Anniversary
$58,500
Petrol 5.7 L V8
Limited $60,000
Limited 70th Anniversary
$63,500
Overland $69,500
3.0L V6 Turbo diesel
Laredo $50,000
Limited $60,000
Limited 70th Anniversary
$63,500
Overland $69,500
(*Pricing does not include
dealer or government charges)
SPECIFICATIONS (Grand
Cherokee Laredo CRD)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 2.987 litres
Configuration: V6
Bore/Stroke: 83 mm x 92 mm
Maximum Power: 177 kW @ 4000
rpm
Maximum Torque: 550 Nm @
1800 - 2800 rpm
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: 4WD
Manual Transmission: N/A
Automatic Transmission:
5-speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND
CAPACITIES:
Length: 4822 mm
Wheelbase: 2915 mm
Width: 1943 mm
Height: 1781 - 1764 mm
Turning Circle: 11.6 metres
Kerb Mass: kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 93.5
litres
Towing Ability: 3500 kg (kg
with braked trailer)
OFF ROAD
Entry angle: 26 degrees
(steel springs) 25 - 34 degrees (air)
Ramp over: 19 degrees (steel
springs) 18 - 23 degrees (air)
Departure angle: 24 degrees
(steel springs) 23 - 27 degrees (air)
Wading depth: 508 mm
Overhang: 887 mm (front)
1020 mm (rear)
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Twin tube
spring over shock absorbers
Rear Suspension: Multi-link
(Optional Quadra-Link air
replaces coil springs)
Front Brakes: Disc
Rear Brakes: Disc
MEDIA
CD/DVD/HDD radio 16.5 cm
touch screen. 30 gB hard drive (6700 song capacity) voice command,
Bluetooth. 3 X 12 v outlets, dashboard, centre console, cargo
area.
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01):
8.3 L/100km
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5/10
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ 100,000 km
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Marque Publishing Company
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