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We were among the first UK citizens to drive the all-new Jeep Cherokee – and what a drive it was! While journalists from newspapers and car magazines were driving the Cherokee under carefully controlled conditions on the official launch in early August we were given free reign to use a Cherokee Limited Automatic as a support vehicle during the filming of the Dangerous Adventures for Boys programme for Channel Five. First task was to haul a heavy car trailer with Eugene the Hotchkiss Jeep on board to the film location in Hampshire, so we were able to see how well the Cherokee with its lusty 2.8CRD engine managed as a tow vehicle. It was great – we hardly knew there was a trailer attached, which made it quite difficult to keep the speed down to a steady 60mph. With the trailer unhitched we measured the Cherokee’s 0-60mph acceleration at 10.5 seconds, our stopwatch backing up Jeep’s official claims for the car’s performance. Did we check the claimed top speed of 111mph? We ain’t sayin’ nothing, but let’s just say we have no doubt that the gutsy 174-horse turbodiesel would have no trouble hauling the one-tonne Cherokee up to that speed on the straight and level. Refinement is remarkable. The engine has a distinctive turbodiesel rattle but it’s not as noisy as some key rivals, the five-speed automatic transmission shifts seamlessly and ride comfort is impressive – and that’s taking into account that the car we used was fitted with mud-terrain tyres. They howled quite noticeably as we cruised the motorway, but didn’t affect the handling at all, the Cherokee running straight and true at speed and cornering tautly with little body roll.
There was a good reason why the Cherokee was fitted with off-road tyres. As a support vehicle for the film crew the Cherokee was pressed into service as a camera car. If you’re at all interested in how well the Cherokee performs off road, just watch the SAS mission episode of the Dangerous Adventures for Boys programme on Channel Five this autumn. The camera chasing the Wrangler as it charges along rutted bumpy trails was mounted on the bonnet of the Cherokee which, with me at the wheel, had to stick close to the Wrangler wherever it went. Suffice it to say, wherever the Wrangler went, the Cherokee followed, marking it as a more-than-competent off-roader. Classic designThe exterior design of the new Cherokee reflects the brand’s 65-year heritage – note the trapezoidal wheel arches and the signature seven-slot grille flanked by halogen headlamps and fog lamps. Deep sides with a high beltline produce a tough, strong and capable appearance, while details include a side vent featuring seven slots at the side of the elongated bonnet where it meets the wing, door and A-pillar. The spare tyre is underneath the vehicle, allowing more interior space. And talking of space, how’s this for an option – the full-length Sky Slider sunroof, made of weatherproof acrylic fabric.
Audio and Navigation SystemsAudio systems available include the smart MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with built-in navigation, audio, entertainment and communications with touch screen or voice commands to control features. A 20-gigabyte hard drive stores music and photos while an integrated music jukebox supports Gracenote music-file management to add song, artist and album information to the music files. Space is reserved on the hard drive for approximately 1,600 songs – more than 100 hours of music. The system also includes a voice-memo recorder feature and MP3 compatibility as well as the Bluetooth-based UConnect hands-free Communication System. The navigation system does both 2-D and 3-D bird’s-eye views of roads and multiple route calculation alternatives plus postcode recognition. All radio head units use a 3.5 millimetre audio input jack for easy connection to an MP3 player. The Infinity Premium Sound System has a 368-watt eight-channel amp playing through nine speakers, including an eight-inch subwoofer. PowerhouseThe 2.8-litre DOHC 16-valve common-rail turbo diesel engine is the only power plant available, but new features such as the variable geometry turbo give the Cherokee automatic best-in-class torque of 339 lb. ft. at 2,000 rpm, best-in-class towing capacity of up to 2,800 kilograms and a driving range of 450 miles. The all-synchromesh six-speed manual shifts slickly with short throws and excellent precision, courtesy of a multi-rail shifter.New Selec-Trac II The new Selec-Trac II four-wheel-drive is a full-time, active on-demand system that anticipates and prevents wheel slip before it occurs. A 4WD Auto mode allows for 4WD on road as well as for off-road use. It’s dead easy to use, just flick the switch on the centre console, which can also engage the 2.72 low range. New suspension and steeringA new independent short- and long-arm coil spring front suspension gives a superb combination of ride, handling and steering feel that you can’t get with strut-type suspensions. A new five-link rear suspension, including upper and lower trailing links and a track bar, gives greater lateral stiffness and makes the car more responsive. The solid axle ensures uniform handling and stability when loaded or towing while the rack-and-pinion steering not only has precise feel but allows a turning circle similar to vehicles with a shorter wheelbase. The new Cherokee range is a small one – you can opt for the Limited manual at £24,595 or the Limited automatic at £25,595. Air con, electric front windows and central locking are standard, options include the Sky Slider full-length roof at £950, the MyGIG multimedia system at £1,500, deep-tint sunscreen glass at £300 and alternative paint jobs at £400.
MORE ABOUT THE SELEC TRAC II 4x4 TRANSMISSION |
SPECIFICATIONS
Cherokee 2.8 CRD Limited
Performance
0-60mph 10.5secs
Top speed 111mph
Fuel economy 37.7mpg
Engine
Type 4-cyl turbodiesel
Capacity 2777cc
Valves 16
Bore x stroke 94mmx100mm
Compression 17.5:1
Fuel DERV
Injection Direct, common rail
Max power 174bhp@3800rpm
Max torque 339lb.ft.@2000
Transmission
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
4x4 Selec Trac II, dual range
Suspension
Front Independent, coil springs, stabiliser bar
Rear Live axle, five-link, coil springs, gas shocks, stabiliser bar
Steering
Type Rack and pinion
Ratio Variable, 17.36:1
Turns lock-to lock 3.42
Turning circle 10.83m
Brakes
Front Ventilated discs
Rear Solid discs
Dimensions
Height 1797mm
Length 4493mm
Width 1839mm
Wheelbase 2694mm
Track 1549mm
Fuel tank 70 litres
Off-road
Ground clearance 189mm
Approach angle 28.2
Departure angle 30.0
Breakover angle 21.7
Wading depth 483mm
