Jeep Grand Cherokee: Last Hurrah?

This past week, Chrysler LLC officials were all giddy when they released the prototype for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the New York International Auto Show. Chrysler, which has had a scarcity of new models to show off during the current US auto show circuit, managed to roll out an all new Jeep as well as to show off the Fiat 500, what Chrysler hopes will become part of its own fleet should Fiat and Chrysler hook up.

No matter, many analysts will tell you that the Grand Cherokee, if it is ever built, will probably be the last all new vehicle designed by Chrysler because by this time next year Chrysler will either have been absorbed by Fiat or out of business.

For its part, the Grand Cherokee has served admirably as the flagship vehicle in the Jeep fleet. It, along with the ugly Commander, are the two largest sport/utility vehicles sold by Jeep, with the latter likely to die off no matter whether Fiat takes over Chrysler or not. By the way, Fiat and Chrysler have until April 30th to get their plans in order for the Obama administration’s review.

Ever since replacing the Jeep Cherokee, the Grand Cherokee has been the new flagship vehicle for Jeep. The current generation Grand Cherokee was rolled out for the 2005 model year, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will bring the model into its fourth generation.

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

World-class interior features include real wood and leather, seated 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

Standard safety features include full-length side-curtain air bags which extend protection to front and rear outboard passengers, seat-mounted side thorax air bags that enhance protection for the driver and front passenger and active head restraints which deploy in the event of a rear collision.

For added passenger comfort, rear seats recline 12 degrees. There also is a 12-degree forward angle to allow 24 degrees of variation.

Premium seating includes room for five passengers. An available fold-flat front-passenger seat provides improved cargo storage room (Laredo models).

Cargo volume behind the second-row provides an additional 6.8 cubic feet of room (36.3 cubic feet total) compared to the previous model. The well-appointed rear cargo area includes a storage unit with a 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.