Jeep has revealed a host of enhancements for its current Grand Cherokee SUV.
Jeep has also revealed details of a 75th Anniversary limited edition Grand Cherokee for the UK, celebrating the 4x4 brand’s 75th birthday, as well as a SRT Night limited edition with exclusive styling.
The refreshed Grand Cherokee has a new Start/Stop function and electric steering which helps to achieve a 14 gram reduction in CO2 (to 184g/km), compared with the previous model year. Fuel economy has also been improved to 40.4 mpg on diesel versions. Unlike conventional power steering, Jeep says the new electric power steering system, with selectable driving modes, does not draw power from the engine and, ‘with a resultant reduction in fluid weight’, fuel savings are made' - in conjunction with the new Start/Stop function.
The new power steering also features selectable drive modes (Sport, Comfort or Normal) and introduces new safety features such as a ‘Stop’ function up to 7mph on the Rear Park Assist, and full speed forward collision warning are included for the first time. A new, more substantial premium gear lever replaces the current aircraft-style e-shift, and a new, revised centre stack includes Sport and Start/Stop buttons.
The new changes also includes a range of fresh exterior colours: Velvet Red, Redline and Ivory Tri-Coat, while acoustic glass improves the cabin experience.
The Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary version, of which just 125 retailed examples will be available in the UK, is based on the 2016 platform and powered by the same 3.0-litre V6 MultiJet 250 hp engine, with the eight-speed automatic transmission and the Quadra-Trac II 4x4 system.
New equipment includes external bronze detailing and 75th Anniversary badging, 20-inch bronze coloured alloy wheels, a bold new front design, new LED fog lamps, a Safety Technology Pack (adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with crash mitigation, cross path detection, and bind spot monitoring), Quadra-Lift air suspension, dual pane panoramic sunroof, 75th Anniversary seat design with 1941 logo, and black leather with tangerine stitching.
Four colours will be available for the new 75th Anniversary car in the UK: exclusive Recon Green, Bright White, Brilliant Black and Granite.
Last but not least, the new, high performance SRT Night version is even more limited in number - just 30 will be available for sale in the UK. This limited SRT Night version of the fastest and most powerful Jeep ever, the Grand Cherokee SRT, has a stealth-like appearance with its upper and lower grille mounts, B and C pillars and side window surrounds all coloured Matte Black. The front applique is also Matte Black, as is the ‘Jeep’ and ‘SRT’ badging on the bonnet and tailgate. The rear door features a Matte Black ‘Grand Cherokee’ badge.
The ‘Black Vapor’ 20-inch wheels are finished in an exclusive Satin Black and are designed to showcase the Grand Cherokee SRT's standard Brembo brakes. Unique interior appointments include Black Laguna leather seats with black accent stitching, leather covered door armrests and centre console including light black chrome surround. A steering wheel bezel in anodised silver, a lit ‘SRT’ on the steering wheel DAB cover and ‘SRT’ on the door sill plates are also key features. Available colours for the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night are Brilliant Black and Brilliant White.
The SRT Night is powered by a 6.4-litre V-8 petrol engine delivering 468 hp and 624 Nm of torque. Performance figures include 0-62 mph acceleration in less than five seconds, and a top speed of 160 mph.
Other standard features include ‘Performance Pages’ in the 8.4-inch UConnect Touchscreen (activated by an SRT button next to the Selec-Trac controls). Jeep says these have been revised with ‘an expanded array of performance timers and gauge readouts’, while all-new drive modes allow owners to personalise their driving experience both on-road and on-track.
In addition, standard launch control mimics a professional driver's inputs to optimise the Grand Cherokee SRT Night's performance by bringing engine, transmission, driveline, stability control, and suspension in line for a textbook launch.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT Night costs £69,865 OTR, the Grand Cherokee 75th Anniversary costs £50,550 OTR while the refreshed Grand Cherokee range starts at £45,050 OTR for the 3.0 CRD Limited, rising to £52,550 OTR for the 3.0 CRD Summit.