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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Production Starts May 3, Sales In July

 
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Chrysler gave us an early look at its redesigned 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee at last year’s New York Auto Show but almost a year on and the vital model in the revitalized Chrysler is still nowhere to be seen. Cherokee fans won’t have to wait too much longer however, as the new SUV is scheduled to start production on May 3 and go on sale shortly after.

The information comes directly from Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who also revealed that first sales of new SUV will start in July. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will represent the first major vehicle launch for Chrysler under the guidance of Marchionne.

All three Chrysler brands, including Jeep, have been starved for new models due to the company's poor financial performance in recent years but if the design prototype revealed at last year’s New York event is anything to go by, it looks like the new Jeep SUV will be able to boost sales of the brand somewhat. Jeep sales fell 31 percent last year. In fact, Chrysler plans to have 100 percent of its existing lineup refreshed or replaced by the end of 2012.

Under its pretty sheet metal is an advanced car-like unibody platform and the company’s Pentastar V-6 or a HEMI V-8. The 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 offers flex-fuel capability and variable valve timing and in the new Grand Cherokee will output 280 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The engine is also claimed to offer 11 percent better fuel-economy than the current V-6-powered Cherokee but it won’t be as efficient as an upcoming diesel that’s planned for overseas markets. Joining the V-6 is a range-topping 5.7-liter HEMI V-8, good for 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque.

Production is taking place at a plant in Detroit.

For more details on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, check out our previous story by clicking here.

[Automotive News, sub req’d]





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Comments (15)

  1. By Jonathan Posted: 2/15/2010 9:16am PST

    This Jeep is good, but once again it is simply adequate to compete against it competitors. It is simply missing a lot of the features that its similarly priced competition has. This Jeep definitely needs something more advanced than an old 5 speed automatic. All of the competition is basically using 6 speed transmissions and in some cases 8 speeds(ahem Volkswagen Touareg). Also there is no reason why the taillights on the Jeep should still be using halogen bulbs. The taillights should be LED elements. Stop corner cutting Chrysler!!!!!
     
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  2. By B Master Flash Posted: 2/15/2010 9:46am PST

    I owned a Jeep once.
     
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  3. By Barry Posted: 2/15/2010 9:46am PST

    Cool
     
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  4. fb_756493434 avatar Brian Parker Posted: 2/15/2010 12:04pm PST

    @jonathan--
    Do you really believe people buy SUV's based on the number of gear ratios in the transmission and the presence of LED bulbs in the tail lamps?
    I'm also pretty certain that the Touareg is going to continue to cost thousands more than the GC - more than justifying the presence (or lack of) those items.
    Better that Chrysler/Jeep introduces the new model STAT, and brings the upgraded transmission, etc with the mid-cycle update.
     
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  5. By  Mark Posted: 2/15/2010 2:18pm PST

    You will never guess which car model was the first mass produced "flex-fuel" car.
    Maybe the 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup?... Nope.
    How about the 1999 Ford Taurus?... Nada.
    So... it must be the 1998 Dodge Caravan, right?... Not even close
    This short video will reveal a surprising secret you're friends will be impressed you know.
    The First Flex-Fuel Vehicle: (5:34)
    http://alcoholcanbeagas.com/node/1331
     
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  6. By NoNameDenton Posted: 2/15/2010 5:08pm PST

    Jonathan, Chrysler has a deal with MB, their former owner for those transmissions, not much they can do.
     
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  7. By Jonathan Posted: 2/15/2010 5:23pm PST

    @Brian
    The answer? A simple and resounding YES! It's not these features specifically, but there are certain features which are a must if the competition is offering them. I really have a fondness for the Jeep brand, especially since I adore the '96 Grand Cherokee which simply was the best SUV on the market at the time. However, subsequent generations lost ground to more polished offerings, like the 4 runner and Pathfinder. They simply were more refined, better feature content and were more liveable on a day to day basis. A fully optioned Grand Cherokee today will easily touch close to 50 grand. When even some economy cars are offering 6 speed transmissions and LED taillights, there is no excuse for the Grand Cherokee. It's simple things like this that have been Chrysler's problems. There's a reason people simply weren't buying them. They were not offering what the competitors were offering. I would rather spend close to 50k on Touareg than on a Top of the line Grand Cherokee Overland any day. That back in looks absolutely cheap and boring compared to the Touareg, MDX, MKX, etc... Some of them lack the offroad capability but the Grand Cherokee was never the only one that could do it either for the price. 4 runner, explorer and Touareg are just as capable. As you can probably see I am getting the Touareg or even a base Cayenne, but would have loved to buy the Grand Cherokee but from what I can see so far it is lacking.
     
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  8. fb_756493434 avatar Brian Parker Posted: 2/15/2010 7:41pm PST

    "There's a reason people simply weren't buying them"
    And I thought it was the outdated styling and the craptastic build quality?
     
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  9. By Saabaru5 Posted: 2/17/2010 11:00am PST

    @Jonathan-
    Give Jeep a break man, they're trying to survive! Besides, this is the most beautiful Jeep I have ever seen! I'd say they're on the right track.
    Now the just need to offer a diesel option in the US.
     
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  10. By Arthur Posted: 2/22/2010 9:27am PST

    Jonathan, I think Chrysler is more concerned about fixing their business and surviving than they are about LED taillights and how many speeds their current transmissions have. In any case, Fiat Powertrain can help Chrysler with an 8-speed transmission if such help is necessary.
    As for the LED taillights, if customers need such technology on a Jeep Grand Cherokee, they can go to the aftermarket ... if the aftermarket offers such technology, that is.
     
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  11. By Jim Posted: 2/24/2010 10:42am PST

    Personally I think the government should outlaw the LED taillights. All they do is blind the dirvers behind the vehicles and make the roads more dangerous. Bright lights in the front of a car make sense. There's just no reason for extra bright lights in the rear. I had to follow an idiot with rear LED lights the other night who didn't know how to drive and rode his brakes 80% of the time. Those LED lights destroy your night vision.
     
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  12. By BK Posted: 3/12/2010 11:10am PST

    Give me a diesel or, better yet, hybrid. Today you HAVE TO HAVE those powertrain options available. Am I right?
     
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  13. By dan aka 64chevyman Posted: 3/31/2010 6:20am PDT

    Skip the Hemi and bring on the Bio Diesel! Try driving those more refined 4 X's off road. This is the real deal! The Italian CEO thinks American still want a Hemi, don't think so!
     
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  14. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 4/1/2010 2:47pm PDT

    Yes, yes, but what I really want to know is...
    Will they offer an SRT8 with the new 6.4 HEMI?
    The current one is easily one of the best sounding stock vehicles made.
    They are also brutally quick, and not just for an SUV; they'd give a lot of "sports cars" a run for their money.
     
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  15. By Bill Burke Posted: 4/4/2010 11:00am PDT

    Presently have a 2005 Grand Cherokee and a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. Looks like the new Jeep will combine the best features of both. I really love the Pacifica and the Jeep just has that rugged feel and durability. If this new Cherokee delivers as advertised, I'm on board and I've cut my car payments in half with one purchase. Really am looking foward to a drive in one ASAP. Sticking with Chrysler product one way or another with my next purchase.
     
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