CATS Motors unveils luxurious 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

MANILA, Philippines - Nearly two decades ago, Jeep created the premium SUV segment with the introduction of the luxuriously equipped Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million Grand Cherokees later, Jeep raises the bar to deliver the ultimate combination of Jeep 4x4 capability and on-road refinement with the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most luxurious yet.

Jeep Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and towing capability. It also offers improved fuel economy and a world-class 5-seater cabin.

The all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension system delivers legendary Jeep off-road capability along with the new Selec-Terrain system which allows the driver to choose the drive system that best matches on- or off-road driving conditions. New front and rear independent suspension systems deliver premium on-road handling and comfort.

The Quadra-Lift air suspension system features five height settings for optimum ride performance: Normal Ride Height (NRH) with 8.1 inches of clearance offers improved fuel economy and improved aerodynamics during on-road driving; Off-road 1, which lifts the vehicle an additional 1.3 inches for added height in clearing obstacles; Off-road 2, which delivers legendary Jeep off-road capability and provides an additional 2.6 inches of height for 10.7 inches of total ground clearance; Park Mode, which lowers the vehicle 1.5 inches from NRH for easy ingress/egress and roof rack loading (NRH and Park mode are driver-selectable, giving the driver control over vehicle ride height); and Aero Mode, which lowers the vehicle .6 inches from NRH for better aerodynamics (and hence for better fuel economy) at cruising speeds. Quadra-Lift operates automatically, or may be controlled manually via console controls.

The Selec-Terrain traction control system lets drivers choose the off-road setting for the optimum experience on all terrains. This feature electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, traction control and electronic stability control (ESC).

Selec-Terrain, coupled with the all-new Quadra-Lift air suspension system, offers drivers an adjustable suspension span that delivers world-class capability. With the front air dam removed, and with the available Quadra-Lift air suspension system, the all-new Grand Cherokee features a 34.3-degree approach angle, (compared to 32.3 on previous model), a 29.3-degree departure angle (compared to 27.5 on previous model) and 23.1-degree breakover angle (compared to 20.4 on previous model).

The Selec-Terrain’s control dial allows the driver to tailor the vehicle to five driving conditions: Sand/Mud, Sport, Auto, Snow, and Rock. The all-new front and rear independent suspension features isolated front and rear suspension cradles for further shock absorption. Variable-rate rear springs deliver improved on-road handling and comfort that complements the vehicle’s off-road capability. The new rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle as opposed to underneath.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee offers three 4x4 systems (Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II). Quadra-Trac I delivers full-time four-wheel drive without any switches or levers to pull. The system provides smooth operation over a variety of road conditions. This lightweight single-speed case is both proven and highly efficient for enhanced fuel economy.

Quadra-Trac II’s two-speed transfer case uses input from a variety of sensors in order to determine tire slip at the earliest possible moment and take corrective action. The system uses Throttle Anticipate to sense quick movement in the throttle from a stop and maximizes traction before slippage occurs. When tire slippage is detected, as much as 100 percent of available torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Quadra-Drive II, with a rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD), delivers industry-leading tractive capability. The system instantly detects tire slip and smoothly distributes engine torque to tires with traction. In some cases, the vehicle will anticipate low traction and adjust in order to proactively limit or eliminate slip. Selec-Terrain is standard with Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II.

Every surface of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee is new and treated for aerodynamics. This improves fuel efficiency and puts more fluidity into the design while delivering an 8.5 percent improvement in drag compared with the previous model. The all-new 2011 Grand Cherokee Coefficient of drag (Cd) is approximately 0.37 compared with the previous model’s Cd of 0.404.

The front includes Jeep’s classic seven-slot grille, round headlamps and trapezoidal wheel arches. The removable lower front fascia delivers improved fuel economy, on-road performance and off-road capability. From the side, Jeep Grand Cherokee features an athletic, muscular profile. Black appliqués on B-pillars give the bright daylight opening (DLO) an aerodynamic, modern appearance and a sleek profile. Available chromed mirrors and door handles add to the profile and complement the full-chromed DLO surround on all models. Standard 17-and 18-inch wheels (plus optional 20-inch rims) deliver off-road capability with style.

Taillamps wrap from the rear quarter panel to the back of the vehicle and create a solid form, which achieves a more upscale appearance. The treatment complements the front-end design and resonates with the rest of the exterior.

Jeep Grand Cherokee models equipped with the 360-hp (with 520 Nm of torque) 5.7-liter multi-displacement system (MDS) V-8 engine have 3.5-inch dual chromed exhaust tips, and those with the 290-hp (353 Nm) 3.6-liter all-aluminum V6 have a 3-inch single exhaust. Both engines have variable valve timing. MDS allows the V8 to operate as a fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine under low-load conditions for enhanced fuel economy.

The new Grand Cherokee offers trailer-tow capability of up to 5,000 pounds on models equipped with the Pentastar V-6 engine and a whopping 7,400 pounds on 4x2 models equipped with the 5.7-liter V8.

The vehicle’s 114.8-inch wheelbase is 5.3 inches longer than the model it replaces and contributes to an overall vehicle length that is 1.8 inches longer than the prior model. The longer wheelbase creates more interior room and gives passengers an additional 4 inches of rear-seat knee and legroom. The vehicle also is 3 inches wider for improved handling and packaging.

Larger front door openings (1.9 inches wider; 2 inches higher) and rear doors that open 78 degrees (compared to previous model’s 67 degrees) provide better access to the interior.

Inside, premium seating includes room for five passengers. An available fold-flat front-passenger seat provides improved cargo storage room (Laredo E models). For maximum cargo and passenger comfort, rear seat backs move a total of 12 degrees front to back.

Cargo volume behind the second row provides an additional 5.6 cubic feet of room (35.1 cubic feet total) compared to the previous model. The well-appointed rear cargo area includes a storage unit with a removable/rechargeable flashlight and new and improved grocery hooks on both sides. The spare tire compartment includes removable dual storage bins for secure storage of muddy gear or other items. An all-new power rear liftgate is available for effortless remote up/down convenience.

Continuing to build on the Jeep brand’s legendary off-road capability, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee adds true luxurious on-road performance to complete the package. The new Grand Cherokee’s premium SUV on-road manners and legendary Jeep ruggedness is achieved with more than 5,400 welds in the body alone. Torsional stiffness is 146 percent stiffer than the previous Grand Cherokee and stiffer than the BMW X5 for improved durability and reduced NVH.

More than 3,700 mm of arc welding and 100 m of structural adhesive augment the welding. This marks a 53-percent increase in spot welds, a 42-percent increase in arc welds and a 38-percent increase in structural adhesive.

Standard safety features include electronic stability control (ESC), electronic roll mitigation (ERM), ABS with rough-road detection, traction control, Keyless Enter-N-Go, seatbelt pretensioners, side-curtain airbags, seat-mounted side thorax airbags, and active head restraints that protect the occupants from whiplash when the vehicle is rear-ended.

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee includes more than 45 safety and security features and is a 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick. The body structure is all new and designed to achieve expected safety performance in global markets (new roof-crush standards, side-impact standards and European pedestrian impact standards).