Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 Test

A good dancer must have express themselves on any terrain, even with a partner. It is a parallel I dare do with this new Grand Cherokee, equally at home on pavement and off-piste, including the ice!

For 70 years, Jeep has provided a gift: a new Grand Cherokee. But this time, the cake is iced airs log because we went to discover Arvidsjaur above the Arctic Circle. A destination for the least unexpected, but it is the price that the Fiat group (now owns Jeep) can perform cold tests quietly on future models. The term "cold" is not usurped, as the thermometer can display up to -40 ° C and from you to me, this is not a time to be a photographer outside! Yes, but try this new Grand Cherokee deserves. And Indian friend, not the kind of chilly, does not seem to fear the biting cold. Neither critics elsewhere (rare) journalists who dared to move toward him.

It is true that the new Jeep puts the odds on his side. Here, "new" is not overused because everything has been completely redesigned, design (interior and exterior) to the embedded technology. Regarding style, the Grand Cherokee remains as large (4.82m long) but it is refined, and even improves aerodynamics. Ultimately it is not only pleasing to the eye, but also the guarantee of saving some fuel. The front immediately identifiable as belonging to the Jeep world is adorned with an imposing chrome grille bars 7 vertical beautifully. These fancies, full of personality, should soon find on other models of the brand, starting with the next Compass. The back also gives in elegance, with a steeply raked tailgate, like a Range Rover. No offense to the British 4x4, 4x4 pioneer but remains well luxury Grand Cherokee, born in the sixties as the Wagoner. This historical parenthesis being made back to our fourth Grand Cherokee name.

Leader

Over time, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a leader of the movement of luxury 4x4 therefore, was enhanced at all levels. In the style we have seen, but also at the level of ground connections. Ultimate witness failed marriage between Daimler and Chrysler; the Grand Cherokee is based on the chassis of the future Mercedes ML. The old version was not bad, far from it even, but this latest generation rose significantly by getting rid of its solid rear axle in favor of a modern multi-link rear suspension. Handling wins but also the comfort, despite riding on our test model real "tons" huge wheels 255/50 R20. And know that Grand Cherokee can do better by adopting a Quadra-Lift air suspension, offering up to 270 mm of amplitude! Standard on the V8 version 5.7, it will be available with the V6 premium finish Overland. Overland that, you know, since it is the insurance benefit in Jeep interior full options, in the U.S.

Make a comprehensive list of standard equipment would be to make a endless inventory, but know that almost everything is on board, leather seats electric color touch screen GPS (with advanced system "media center"), and even power adjustable pedals. A real tipi 4 stars! In addition to this orgy of luxury, other surprises abound on board. Despite a substantial electronics, intuitive controls fall to hand, indicating that the interface is (finally) well thought out. But besides roominess revised upwards and chest size cargo (from 782 to 1554 liters), the best news is to the credit of the finish, which makes a leap forward. Now, Jeep does rhyme with more cheaply! New, there is also the engine room with the presence of a novel Pentastar V6 3.6 24v developing 286 hp at 6350 r / min, with variable valve timing. A noble modern engine test by promises, according to Jeep, average consumption limited to only 11.4 L/100 km (CO2 emissions 265g/km of). Significant reductions, but not at the expense of drivability, up!

The delights of slips

Obviously, judging the behavior of a 4x4 road on a smooth surface like a mirror, where it is difficult to stand, is not easy! Thankfully, the Pirelli Scorpion tandem with permanent AWD Quadra-Trac 2 wonders. Of course, driving on eggs and therefore the weight of the machine encourages vigilance, but the Grand Cherokee has another secret weapon: Selec-Terrain. It is a wheel similar to Land Rover's Terrain Response, to select among five modes electronically most favorable conditions adhesions.