YOU gotta love designer double-speak. According to Clyde Ney, Jeep design manager, his company's newest rendition of the Grand Cherokee has a body style that is "shrink-wrapped"....whatever that means. Essentially, it appears that the lower side panels and body cladding have been redesigned and the overall body style cleaned up.
No argument, the new Grand Cherokee is a much smoother-looking and well-rounded SUV, while still bearing a family resemblance to its predecessor. The back end in particular has been nicely squared away, and the front has new sheet metal in the form of broad nacelles built into the hood....much like its stablemate, the Liberty. The result is a more refined looking vehicle that is also slightly larger than the previous version.
But that's not all. For '05, the Grand Cherokee is on the receiving end of a Hemi V8 engine for the first time. In this application, it displaces 5.7 litres and develops 330 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 375 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm. There is also a 4.7-litre V8 and a 3.7-litre V6. This latter powerplant replaces Jeep's tried and true in-line six, which the parent company has used, in one form or another, for at least two decades. All versions of the new Grand Cherokee get the power to the wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission, but the V8 models have a different one than the V6.
Here's the interesting bit: the Hemi engine has an optional feature called a Multi-Displacement System (MDS). Essentially, this shuts down four cylinders of the engine during highway cruising and "light" acceleration, with a view to improving fuel economy. The new Chrysler 300 sedan has the same feature, and the company is claiming it will increase fuel mileage by up to 20 per cent. Behind the wheel, the MDS system is imperceptible when it kicks in -- and out -- and during highway driving, most drivers probably won't even notice it. When cruising, the vehicle is smooth, responsive, and quiet, and when you need reserve power, it's right there with no delay or hesitation. Certainly, this set-up is more useable and properly executed than General Motors' attempt to accomplish the same thing on some of its Cadillac models back in the 1980s, which was an unqualified disaster.
Having said that, I found the standard-issue V6 engine to be down on power. It develops 210 hp at 5200 rpm and 235 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm, which isn't enough to propel the 4,400-pound Laredo version with any kind of authority. I also found this engine to be a little on the loud side, and all things considered, would recommend potential buyers look long and hard at the V8 drivetrains.....they just seem to be better matched to this vehicle.
Either way, the Grand Cherokee still retains its crown as the best homegrown SUV on the market when it comes to off-road performance. If you talk to hard-core 4x4 buffs whose idea of fun is being axle deep in mud or hung up on boulders with a couple of wheels in the air, Jeep is the only domestic 4WD vehicle they would even consider buying, and is right up there with Land Rover when it comes to getting through the really rough stuff. For 2005, the 4WD system comes in three varieties, all of which have a two-speed transfer case (low and high range) and uses a solid rear axle. This last feature is really what separates the wannabes from the real McCoy, because it gets the power to the ground more efficiently.
I've had the chance to put the new Grand Cherokee through some pretty gnarly gully-creeping and backwoods trailblazing, and, most of the time, it doesn't even breathe hard. Having said that, off-road enthusiasts in the market for this vehicle should really do their homework, because Jeep has taken pains to offer as comprehensive a choice of 4WD systems as possible, and there's something for everybody.
To quote Ron Smith, vice-president of marketing for DaimlerChrysler Canada, typical Grand Cherokee owners admit that they spend a lot of time on asphalt, but want that off-road ability, should they need it. They won't be disappointed here.
Available in a variety of trim levels, the new Grand Cherokee comes pretty well equipped. Quadra-trac 4WD, air conditioning, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, power adjustable front seats, a traction control system, power windows and door locks, and 60/40 folding rear seats are just some of the standard kit. The rear tailgate is one-piece, but has a window that opens independently. Cargo space is 67.4 cubic feet in total.
Prices for the 2005 Grand Cherokee start at $38,990 for the Laredo, going up to $49,990 for the Limited....before taxes and extras, of course.
300C picked as top car by TV's Motoring
MOTORING 2005 has released its list of top cars for, and, perhaps as a sign of future Canadian Car of the Year glory to come, named the 300C and Dodge Magnum as Motoring's Car of the Year.
The rest of the honourees include:
Sports Car - Chevrolet Corvette
Nominees: BMW 645Ci, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Mustang
Economy Car -- Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac Pursuit
Nominees: Chevrolet Cobalt/Pontiac Pursuit, Kia Spectra5, Mercedes-Benz
Smart
SUV -- BMW X3
Nominees: BMW X3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder
Family Car -- Honda Accord Hybrid
Nominees: Honda Accord Hybrid, Subaru Legacy, Pontiac G6
Affordable Sports Car -- Toyota Corolla XRS
Nominees: Ford Focus ST, Mazdaspeed Miata, Toyota Corolla XRS
Pick-Up Truck -- Dodge Dakota
Nominees: Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma
Luxury -- Chrysler 300C/Dodge Magnum
Nominees: Acura RL, Cadillac STS, Chrysler 300C/Dodge Magnum
Minivan -- Honda Odyssey
Nominees: Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Saturn Relay
Convertible -- Mini Cooper S
Nominees: Chrysler PT Cruiser, Mercedes-Benz SLK350, Mini Cooper S
Crossover/Wagon -- Subaru Outback/Legacy
Nominees: Ford Freestyle, Mazda6 Wagon, Subaru Outback/Legacy
Car of the Year -- Chrysler 300C/Dodge Magnum
Nominees: Chevrolet Corvette, Chrysler 300C/Dodge Magnum, Honda Accord
Hybrid
Repeat dates and times for the MOTORING 2005 Car of the Year, one hour
special to air on TSN are: Tuesday January 25 at noon; Thursday January
27 at midnight; and, Saturday January 29 at 2:30am (all times CST).
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