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At the Paris Mondial de
l'Automobile, the Jeep brand will give a European debut
to the new Grand Cherokee, show off minor new interior
and exterior treatments for Wrangler and Wrangler
Unlimited, as well as two new Daimler diesel engines for
customers in Europe and other markets outside North
America. Fitting the two Daimler units into selected
Jeep models destined for overseas markets is likely to
be a stopgap solution until Fiat Powertrain's equivalent
oil burners, which are still some distance from
production, are ready. The Jeep brand will also showcase
in Paris fuel-saving Stop/Start technology for the
Wrangler – the first application of this technology for
Chrysler Group.
“The Jeep brand’s legendary heritage has made it one of
the most recognised brands in the world. The Jeep brand
continues to evolve with new vehicles, designs,
powertrains and technology,” said Mike Manley, President
and Chief Executive Officer – Jeep Brand, and Lead
Executive for the International Organization, Chrysler
Group. “We are proud to bring the newest Jeep
innovations to Paris, including the Company’s first
application of Stop/Start technology that helps improve
Jeep Wrangler’s fuel economy by up to 13 percent, as
well as the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee, designed and
built to answer the needs of customers here in Europe
and around the world.”
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Nearly two decades ago, Jeep reinvented the premium
sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with the
introduction of the Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million
sales later, Jeep improves the formula and provides the
ideal balance between iconic 4x4 capability and on-road
refinement with the all-new Grand Cherokee. The newest
vehicle in the brand’s line-up is on display for the
first time in Western Europe at the 2010 Paris Motor
Show. The Grand Cherokee aims to deliver on-road
performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s
four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer
case and unsurpassed towing capability. It also offers
improved fuel consumption. The new Quadra-Lift air
suspension system is a first for Jeep, delivering
legendary Jeep off-road capability. In addition, the new
Selec-Terrain traction control system allows the driver
to choose the drive system that best matches on- or
off-road driving conditions. New front and rear
independent suspension systems hope to deliver premium
on-road handling and comfort.
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep has given a much needed, albeit mostly mild,
makeover to the Wrangler. The Wrangler and Wrangler
Unlimited now offer a new 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine
for markets outside North America. This Daimler sourced
engine (Daimler previously owned Jeep and thus most of
its current products reflect its technology) improves
power to 200 hp DIN (147 kW) at 3,600 rpm, a 13-percent
improvement over the prior 2.8-liter diesel engine.
Torque for the new engine comes in at 410 Nm at
2,000-3,200 rpm with the six-speed manual transmission
and 460 Nm at 1,600-2,600 rpm with the
also-Daimler-sourced W5A580 five-speed automatic
transmission. The W5A580 automatic transmission is new
to Wrangler and will deliver smooth shifts and optimum
fuel consumption. The W5A580 transmission includes
adaptive electronic control or Electronic Range Select
(ERS) driver-interactive manual control and an
electronically modulated torque converter clutch.
The Wrangler’s diesel engine, when paired with the
manual transmission, incorporates Stop/Start technology
– the first application of this technology on a Chrysler
Group vehicle. With Stop/Start, the engine is shut off
when the vehicle is stopped, the shift gear is in
Neutral, and the clutch is released. The engine then
restarts automatically when the clutch pedal is
depressed. Drivers can deactivate the technology via a
button on the dashboard, and an icon displays in the
instrument panel to indicate the Stop/Start status.
An upgraded starter and alternator improve the engine's
durability, and a DC/DC power converter maintains
electronic feature functionality while the vehicle is
stopped. Stop/Start technology improves fuel efficiency
and reduces CO2 emissions by managing the amount of time
the engine runs. For the new Wrangler family, fuel
economy is improved by up to 13 percent, and CO2
emissions are reduced by up to 14 percent.
Other improvements and features incorporated into the
new Euro 5 compliant, 2.8-liter diesel engine include:
Four valves per cylinder and double overhead camshaft (DOHC)
with belt drive; 1800-bar common-rail fuel injection
system; Piezo electric injectors; variable geometry
turbocharger; new composite intake manifold; new exhaust
gas recirculation (EGR) system; reduced friction ring
pack; electric swirl control; oil and exhaust
temperature sensors; standard diesel particulate filter
(DPF); and, dditional adjustments for improved noise,
vibration and harshness (NVH).
The Wrangler’s interior has been given a mild upgrade
and the changes include a redesigned instrument panel
and new storage areas with improved ergonomics and
upgraded materials. A new console and upgraded door
armrest areas boast comfortable touch points, while a
redesigned center stack is easier to reach and operate.
Automatic temperature control, heated seats and power
heated mirrors are now available, and drivers and
passengers will enjoy enhanced visibility courtesy of
larger rear windows. New steering-wheel controls allow
the driver to operate the radio, speed control,
hands-free phone and other vehicle functions while
keeping hands on the wheel. A new USB device interface
connects to storage devices (thumb drives and most MP3
players) for use with the vehicle’s Media Center, which
now includes streaming Bluetooth audio. The new Jeep
Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will be available in
markets outside North America starting in early 2011.
New 2.8-liter Diesel Engine for Jeep Cherokee
The Cherokee will also benefit from the new Daimler
sourced 2.8-liter turbo diesel engine as it enters the
Cherokee powertrain selection for markets outside North
America. Maximum power is 200 hp DIN (147 kW) at 3,600
rpm, and torque reaches 410 Nm at 2,000-3,200 rpm with
the six-speed manual transmission and 460 Nm at
1,600-2,600 rpm with the five-speed automatic
transmission. The new 2.8-liter diesel engine for the
Cherokee brings increased performance, better fuel
economy and reduced CO2 emissions versus the 2.8-liter
diesel engine it replaces. Top speed and acceleration
from 0 to 100 km/h are improved, fuel efficiency is
increased by up to 13 percent, and CO2 emissions are
reduced by up to 15 percent (based on Cherokee 4x4
model). Along with the new diesel engine, the Cherokee
will also offer more customer features such as improved
multi-media functionality, redesigned rear-seat head
restraints and speed control standard on all models. A
Dark Slate Gray/Dark Saddle interior color combination
is now available for Limited models, and there are new
exterior paint colors such as Deep Cherry Red Crystal,
Blackberry and Bright White. The new Cherokee and the
optional 2.8-liter diesel engine will be available in
markets outside North America as of early 2011.
Also making its debut in Paris will be the Cherokee Jet
special model. This new model combines new exterior and
interior finishes to set the Jet apart. The exterior of
the Cherokee Jet displayed at the Paris show to gather
customers’ feedback, features bright trim for the lower
fascia, body-side molding, roof rails and license plate
brow, chromed mirror housings, blacked-out headlamps and
deep-tint glass. Wheels are 18-inch polished and painted
aluminum with all-season tyres. The Jet model is
available in Bright Silver, Dark Charcoal, Brilliant
Black and Blackberry exterior colors and is completed
with a Jet badge on the front quarter panels. Moving to
the interior, drivers will find a leather-wrapped
steering wheel, power front windows with one-touch
up/down control, nine-speaker Infinity sound system with
subwoofer and standard security system. Special to Jet
Sport models is an optional package incorporating
leather seats with accent stitching and
power-adjustable, heated front seats.
New 2.2-liter Diesel Engine for Jeep Compass and
Jeep Patriot
The Compass and Patriot now feature another Daimler
sourced powerplant, this time a 2.2-liter turbo diesel
engine which will offer better overall performance than
the 2.0-liter diesel engine it replaces. The new
2.2-liter diesel engine, which is paired with a
six-speed manual transmission, produces power of 163 hp
DIN (120 kW) at 3600-4200 rpm and torque of 320 Nm at
1400-3600 rpm. These equate to a 16-percent increase in
power and a 3-percent increase in torque over the prior
2.0-liter diesel engine figures.
With the new 2.2-liter diesel engine, the Compass and
Patriot also improve their overall performance with
12-percent quicker acceleration and increased towing
capacity of 2,000 kilograms. The Compass and Patriot
continue to be the most fuel-efficient Jeep vehicles
with fuel consumption of 6.6 L/100 km (combined cycle)
and CO2 emissions of 172 g/km. With this Euro 5 diesel
engine, the Compass and Patriot can travel 786
kilometers between fuel stops.
Many improvements and features can be found in the new
Daimler 2.2-liter diesel engine, including: modular and
compact engine design; four valves per cylinder and DOHC
with chain drive; 2000-bar common-rail fuel injection
system; five injection events per combustion; two
balance shafts, oil pump and injection pump driven by
gears; variable geometry turbocharger (electrical
actuator-controlled); resonator to reduce air-movement
noise from the turbocharger; switchable piston cooling;
high-efficiency EGR cooling to meet Euro V emission
standards; switchable un-cooled exhaust bypass; intake
module with integrated and controlled intake port
shut-off for variable swirl; electronically controlled
thermostat and EGR bypass actuator for faster warm-up;
and standard DPF.
The Compass and Patriot are two models however that have
missed out on the programme of interior and cosmetic
improvements that is being rapidly rolled out right
across the Chrysler group range. The new 2.2-liter
diesel engine will be available as an option on the
Compass and Patriot in markets outside North America by
the end of 2010.
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