Tag Archives: cherokee
Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Will Be Based On Alfa Romeo Stelvio Platform
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, together with the Dodge Durango, has been using a premium platform gifted by Daimler since 2011. But that’s about to change now as the next-generation Grand Cherokee will underpin the same platform used on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
This was confirmed by company CEO Sergio Marchionne during the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles investor conference in Italy last week. Marchionne confirmed reports that the Grand Cherokee is using the same platform used by the Stelvio and the Giulia sedan.
The original architecture has been modified and extended to accommodate both the two-row and the three-row Grand Cherokee, Marchionne said. The Jeep plans to release both five-seater and seven-seater for the new iteration of the Grand Cherokee. But more than that, the company CEO also revealed that Jeep is planning to come up with a three-row E-segment mid-sized SUV by 2022. That vehicle might be called the Grand Cherokee as well, though we’re not exactly sure where it will sit in the lineup.
Based on the company’s plans, the new Grand Cherokee will be the first vehicle in the lineup to have Level 2 self-driving capability. That means it will be able to brake, accelerate, steer, and change lanes on long highway drives, similar to what the Cadillac Super Cruise system can do. That semi-autonomous driving capability may arrive in 2020, though a Level 3 self-driving technology is slated to appear sometimes by the end of 2021.
There is no specific timeline yet for the next-generation Grand Cherokee, though the work on the new platform has already started. That means that the new vehicle might arrive by 2019 or 2020 at the latest, which is at the end of Jeep’s ambitious five-year plan.
The self-driving technologies might appear on this next-generation vehicle. At least, that’s what makes sense to us. It’s going to either be a 2020 or 2021 model.
3 Things That Make Us Excited About The 2019 Jeep Cherokee
As part of an extensive freshening, Jeep’s midsize SUV, the Cherokee, is getting a slew of new updates, tech, and even powertrain. This only makes us want to reach into our pockets and check if we’ve got money to pay for the humongous price tag we’re sure the 2019 Cherokee will come packaged in.
1. Powertrain
The Jeep Cherokee gets a new powertrain courtesy of an optional turbocharged inline-four engine that could produce 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Other options available are the standard 2.4-liter I-4 engine that delivers 180 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque and a naturally-aspirated 3.2-liter V-6 that churns out 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque.
All of these three engines are combined with a nine-speed automatic transmission with a new operating software that promises to improve performance. To increase fuel efficiency, Jeep also equipped the engines with a stop-start technology.
2. Exterior
The Jeep Cherokee’s famous front fascia has been redesigned to make way for daytime running lights and LED headlights that have been infused into a single unit. The stacked design on the previous model was a popular favorite, but Jeep decided its time to forego that layout.
Aside from the front fascia, there’s also a refreshed hood and the seven-slot grille. In the rear, the liftgate design offers an optional hands-free automatic opening feature that you can activate with a mere foot wave under the bumper. There’s also a new set of rear lighting, which is a thin red band of LED lighting that signals the stop, turn, and backing lights.
3. Interior
There’s three inches of additional cabin width in the new Jeep Cherokee. This extra space now has 27 additional cubic feet for the cabin. Those who complained in the past about not being able to fit their golf clubs can now rest and be merry.
The 2019 Jeep Cherokee will be available to the US market during the first quarter. There are no pricing details as of now.
