India-bound Jeep Cherokee unveiled

Jeep unveils all-new Cherokee at New York Auto Show. The new Cherokee is Jeep's India bound FWD C-segment SUV.

The all-new Jeep Cherokee off-roader has been revealed in full prior to the New York motor show.

It's the first Jeep to utilise Chrysler's new 'Compact U.S. Wide' platform, which benefits from independent front and rear suspension. Jeep claims that its new Cherokee will deliver world-class on-road dynamics, improved fuel economy and a wide range of equipment

Offered initially with a nine-speed automatic gearbox, a choice of two engines, three types of 4x4 system and a host of safety and technology options, Jeep hopes that the Cherokee will compete strongly in the mid-size SUV segment. The bold styling, which features aerodynamic design cues that are claimed to combine the company’s heritage with advanced technology, resembles that of the recently revised Grand Cherokee.

Inside, the driver-orientated cabin is said to feature premium materials throughout and a high standard of build quality. Cloth or leather seats are available, as well as upgraded seats with electric adjustment, a memory function and heating and cooling. Buyers can also specify a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel and a wireless charging pad, useful for those with numerous mobile devices.

A 3.5-inch greyscale screen, or an optional 7-inch colour unit, in the instrument cluster can be configured by the driver to display information about economy, navigation, cruise control settings or the Jeep's four-wheel-drive system.

The standard multimedia system is a 5-inch touchscreen unit, and a larger 8.4-inch system is offered which also includes BlueTooth and sat-nav. A park assistance package is available, as well as myriad practicality and off-road orientated upgrades. Standard safety kit includes ten airbags and stability control.

Internationally, engine options will initially consist of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder 'Tigershark' petrol engine, or a new 3.2-litre V6 'Pentastar' petrol engine. The Tigershark engine uses Fiat's MultiAir technology and produces 184bhp. The 3.2-litre V6 petrol delivers a significantly higher 271bhp.

The nine-speed transmission is Chrysler’s own and is reputedly capable of delivering aggressive launches, smooth power delivery and improved fuel efficiency.

Power is transferred to all four wheels by one of three four-wheel drive systems. The entry-level 'Active Drive I' is automatic and can switch in and out of 4WD at any speed. The 'Active Drive II' option adds a low-range mode, with a locking centre diff, and a 1" increase in ride height.

Those determined to head deep off-road can opt for the 'Active Drive Lock' system, which adds a locking rear differential for improved traction in poor conditions. All come with Jeep's Selec-Terrain traction control which offers multiple modes for different surfaces.

Jeep's new Cherokee also marks the debut of Chrysler's Adaptive Cruise Control Plus, which can bring the vehicle to a complete stop in certain conditions. It uses radar and video sensors to observe vehicles in front, braking the vehicle to maintain a driver-defined gap. If the gap is reduced dramatically, the stability control system can bring the Jeep to a complete halt, even if the driver doesn't touch the brakes.

"The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee will be the benchmark for mid-size SUVs, with a new level of on-road driving dynamics and fuel economy, while at the same time improving the 4x4 capability that customers expect from Jeep", said Mike Manley, boss of the Jeep brand.

Jeep will soon launch its products in India starting with the larger Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new Jeep Cherokee revealed here could be Jeep’s C-Segment offering for India. 

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Jeep's India bound B-segment SUV takes shape

This will be the first Jeep model to be built under Fiat-Chrysler alliance.

The first Jeep-branded product to be created by the Fiat-Chrysler alliance will be launched at the New York motor show in March, replacing the Liberty with an all-new model that could revive the Cherokee name.

In Europe it will rival the Honda CR-V and Nissan’s X-Trail. This could be one of the two future smaller Jeep offerings for India and will be positioned under the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee.

This new model is based on a version of Fiat’s Compact Wide platform, which underpins the US-market Dodge Dart. The platform is capable of taking four-wheel drive, V6 engines and diesels, all of which will be available in the new Jeep. The petrol V6, which is unlikely to make it to European and Indian markets, will be a 3.2-litre version of Chrysler’s 3.6-litre unit. 

It will also be the first Fiat-Chrysler vehicle to get a new nine-speed automatic gearbox. This transmission is said by CEO Sergio Marchionne to be “the future of the front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive world of Chrysler”.

The new Jeep’s styling will use the fresh front end seen on the just-facelifted Grand Cherokee (pictured), with narrow headlights and a slimmer interpretation of Jeep’s traditional seven-bar grille.

The new Jeep will initially be built at Chrysler’s plant in Toledo, Ohio, from 23 May. Production will begin in China next year as part of Fiat’s deal with Guangzhou Automotive.

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Jeep Wrangler to thrill Indian off-road junkies

Iconic SUV-maker to draft in its Wrangler four-door SUV by the third quarter of 2013.

Jeep’s planned entry in the Indian market in the third quarter of 2013 sure has set off-road enthusiasts’ tongues wagging. The company plans on kickstarting its India innings with two models introduced via the CBU route initially, with local assembly expected somewhere along the line.

The first model to arrive here will be the Wrangler, which is the successor to the famous World War II Jeep also known as Willys CJ (Civilian Jeep). We will get the latest generation four-door Wrangler (code: JK), which will be powered by a 2.8-litre common-rail diesel engine good for 197bhp and 46kgm of torque. What will truly get off-road enthusiasts salivating; however, will be the fact that it will come with front and rear live-axles like the earlier versions of the CJ, which will make it by far the best for serious off-roading. While the latest generation Wrangler still retains its tough-as-nails looks and is still hardcore, it is greatly evolved and touted to be one of the most capable off-roaders in the world.

Despite all this though, the Wrangler is likely to have only a limited appeal in India. Its hardcore mechanical bits are designed specifically for off-road conditions, and that means it won’t make for a very practical set of wheels on an everyday basis. Also, since it will be brought in via the CBU route initially, it is also likely to be quite expensive with an expected price tag of around Rs 35 lakh. Even then, it is likely to deliver much of the appeal of a Hummer, but without the impractical size, and that could appeal to plenty.

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Jeep's aggressive India plans

Fiat and Chrysler will launch 2 Jeep models in India next year and may follow up with another two.

Fiat has announced that Chrysler will officially enter India next year with the launch of their iconic off-roader brand Jeep. 

Fiat shouldn't have problems marketing the brand in India -- it is well known thanks to its tie-up with Mahindra. Jeep sold as many as 18,000 vehicles annually when it was present here earlier.

 

When it is launched, Jeep will bring two products to India and both will be brand-defining and introduced via the CBU-route. Chrysler is expected to launch these two models in the second half of 2013.

 

The first of the two will be the Jeep Wrangler. Successor to the famous World War II Jeep also known as Willys CJ (Civilian Jeep), the first Wrangler debuted in 1987. What we will get here is the latest generation Wrangler (code; JK). Like the CJ, it uses front and rear live-axles. The current-generation is also available in a long wheelbase, five-door version known as the Wrangler Unlimited.

 

Powered by a 2.8-litre common-rail diesel engine that’s good for 197bhp, it will no doubt be the fastest off-roader in the East.

 

Another Jeep model that’ll hit our shores is the Grand Cherokee. Codenamed WK2, this fourth-gen Grand Cherokee is powered by a 3.0-litre common-rail diesel that makes 237bhp and is a proper luxury SUV. Based on the Mercedes Benz M-class, it is thoroughly modern and it promises to offer superb off-road ability with plush, comfortable interiors.  

 

There are two more models in the pipeline for Jeep in India. The first of these two would be a B-segment SUV that could share underpinnings with the upcoming Fiat SUV and the second model will be a C-segment offering that could be based on the Jeep Compass – currently the smallest model in the Jeep Global lineup.

 

Chrysler has already set up an R&D centre in Chennai that houses about 1,000 employees and is the third-largest Chrysler R&D facility worldwide. 

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Chrysler, Jeep set for India entry

Chrysler and Jeep could come to India with the help of Fiat.The full-size Jeep Grand Cherokee could come powered by a 237bhp diesel.

Iconic American SUV maker Jeep and parent company Chrysler are all set to enter the Indian market. Now owned by Fiat, Jeep and Chrysler are expected to make an official announcement of their entry to India imminently. Whereas Ford and General Motors came to the Indian market more than a decade ago, Chrysler and Jeep stayed away. The blame for this late entry rests partly on Chrysler’s decade-long financial difficulties and an unsuitable product line-up.

Things are different today, however. Chrysler and Jeep are on a more solid footing and the introduction of their cars into the European market mean some of their products are more suitable for our market. Today Jeep has a whole range of diesel SUVs, and products like the diesel Grand Cherokee could be followed by products like the Commander, Compass or Patriot, all of which are all currently sold in Europe. And Fiat could look at its Jeep-based Freemont MPV too.

The star attraction, however, is certain to be the Grand Cherokee, which even for Jeep is a landmark car. Built on the same platform as the Mercedes-Benz M-class (due to Daimler’s erstwhile ownership of Chrysler), the new Cherokee boasts the stiffest chassis in its class. Some Jeep traditions are carried over; you get that famous toothy, seven-slat grille up front, a low-ratio transfer case and a Selec-Terrain dial (much like Range Rover’s ‘Terrain Response’ system). Under the hood is a common-rail diesel motor that has been designed and engineered by Fiat, but built by diesel specialists VM Motori. Displacing 2987cc, this V6 is reputed to be silky-smooth and has bags and bags of torque. Chrysler also understands the Indian market and so pricing is expected to be really competitive; somewhere around Rs 30-40 lakh, if the car is locally assembled. And that should make for a good start. More on Chrysler and Jeep soon; watch this space.

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