Jeep’s grandest SUV has just received a few updates that, while not massive, have brought some increased visual flair and added appeal to an already impressive SUV.
The Grand is still one good looking SUV, so in order to update its exterior a bit, Jeep has done nothing more than add some new bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights, redesign the front and rear ends slightly, and offer some additional mag wheel designs.
Where the company has made a substantial change, however, is to the gearbox. The Grand Cherokee now sports a state-of-the-art eight-speed automatic shifter. The new gearbox promises to work well with all derivatives, and should provide even more seamless gearshifts, as well as improved fuel economy.
Also new for the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT8 is a launch control system that’s been paired to the new eight-speed automatic transmission. Launch Control mimics a professional driver’s inputs to optimise the Grand Cherokee SRT’s performance by bringing engine, transmission, driveline, stability control, and suspension in line for a textbook launch.
Engine options have remained unchanged. There’s still a three-litre oilburner that produces 177 kW and 550 Nm of torque, a 3,6-litre Pentastar petrol mill that offers 210 Kw and 347 Nm, and a hefty 5,7-litre Hemi powerplant that produces 259 Kw and 520 Nm. The SRT8 is still powered by a 6,4-litre Hemi V8 that creates 344 kW and 624 Nm.
Several changes have been made to the interior of the Grand. There’s more high-quality leather and wood trim inside the cabin now, resulting in a cabin that looks more premium than the outgoing model’s. There’s a nice new 8,4-inch touch-screen as well, and a new leather steering wheel that looks solid and classy.
Lastly, some advanced safety features have been added as options to the Grand Cherokee range. Forward collision warning with crash mitigation uses radar sensors to check whether the vehicle is approaching the car in front too rapidly and, if necessary, sends a signal to the driver so that he can intervene to avoid a collision. Adaptive cruise control decreases the vehicle’s pre-set cruise-control speed when closing in on another vehicle in the same lane, or when another vehicle pulls into the same lane. New selec-speed control operates with the hill ascent control and the hill descent control functions to allow the driver to control the speed of the vehicle, both uphill and downhill, using the steering wheel paddle shifters instead of requiring the use of the accelerator or brake pedals.
PRICING
3.0 CRD TBC early September
3.6 Limited R584,000.00
3.6 Overland R646,990.00
5.7 Overland R679,990.00
SRT8 R879,990.00