History of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The myth of the Big Indian, or how the Jeep Grand Cherokee appeared Jeep grand cherokee history

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is an all-wheel drive, five-seat E-class SUV. The fourth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee debuted in 2010.

In the early nineties, Jeep found itself in a difficult situation. The progenitor of a comfortable SUV was more and more forced out of the market he had created. The Japanese, having offered their own versions of the "urban SUV", surpassed their American counterparts, primarily in terms of comfort.

However, in 1992, Jeep took revenge. Concern Chrysler presented to the public the most comfortable and prestigious SUV in its lineup - Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ. This AW car impressed buyers with its elegant design, spacious and comfortable interior, as well as the rich equipment of most versions. The model has become a worthy successor to the already outdated Jeep Grand Wagoneer SJ.

Initially, the Grand Cherokee was offered in four trim levels, but the simplest (Base) had to be abandoned in the same 1992. Laredo and Limited have received the greatest distribution. The main differences are in the types of transmissions and their control units. Externally, you can distinguish one from the other by the radiator grille (for Laredo it is chrome), bumpers and lining on the lower part of the doors (gray for Laredo and body-colored for Limited). The interior design is almost identical, but the Limited will please fans of leather seats.

For a very short time (from 1994 to 1995) the Grand Cherokee was produced in a special version for outdoor enthusiasts - Orvis. The model was distinguished by a reinforced suspension, factory protection of the transfer case, steering rods and even a gas tank. The interior trim used leather in two colors: brown and green. Outwardly, Orvis is easy to distinguish by red, and not golden, like the rest of the Grand Cherokee, moldings.

At the beginning of production, the Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ debuted with a single 4-liter petrol 6-cylinder engine. (178 hp). This inline 12-valve "six" consumes according to the European standard 11.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers when driving on the highway and 21 liters in urban mode. Acceleration time to hundreds of km / h is 10.2 s, and the maximum speed is electronically limited to 180 km / h.

In 1993, a more powerful 5.2L 16-valve V8 engine appeared. (212 hp). Fuel consumption per 100 km has increased to 12.7 liters on the highway and 23 liters in the city. Acceleration dynamics improved: 9.8 s to 100 km/h. The maximum speed is 200 km/h.

The 1997 model year saw the introduction of the most powerful 16-valve V8 engine, 5.9L. (241 hp). This engine consumes: 13.3 liters on the highway and 26.1 liters in the city. Up to a hundred Jeep Grand Cherokee with this engine accelerates in just 8.2 seconds, the maximum speed limit is 200 km/h.

The European version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was also equipped with a 2.5-liter diesel 4-cylinder 8-valve engine. (116 hp). Diesel uses separated fuel combustion chambers (the so-called swirl chamber scheme). Fuel consumption with a diesel is significantly lower than that of gasoline engines: 7.9 liters on the highway and 12.3 liters in the city. The maximum speed is 160 km/h.

Jeep Grand Cherokee for the US market was equipped exclusively with 4-speed "AW tomatoes", the lever of which is located under the steering wheel. On versions for Canada and Europe, the gearshift lever is located on the tunnel between the seats. The diesel version was equipped with only a 5-speed manual transmission. All engines are longitudinally located, with a system of distributed fuel injection. In the diesel power circuit, a turbocharger with intermediate air cooling is used.

The European version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has been assembled in Austria since 1994 (since entering the European market) at the Steyr-Daimler-Puch joint venture. The cars are distinguished by the European distribution of headlights, the presence of turn indicators on the front fenders and yellow direction indicators in the rear lights.

The first generation Grand Cherokee set new standards in the off-road world. The appearance of the Grand Cherokee was so successful that it has not changed for six years. Only in 1998, the first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee was discontinued, replaced by a more advanced model with the same name. The second generation of a comfortable SUV was produced under the WJ index.

In the new version, the jeep received smoother body lines, the shape of the block headlights changed, and fog lights were successfully inserted into the front bumper, but at the same time they retained continuity with the previous Jeep Grand Cherokee ZJ model.

On the 1999 model of the first generation of power units, only gasoline was retained, with a volume of 4.0 liters. (190 hp), But two new engines appeared: a 5-cylinder diesel engine with a volume of 3.1 liters (140 hp) and an 8-cylinder V-shaped gasoline with a volume of 4.7 liters with a capacity of 220 hp. For the European market, a modification equipped with a 2.7-liter turbodiesel is offered.

All engines are equipped only with AW automatic hydromechanical adaptive 4-speed "AW tomato". All-wheel drive chassis equipped with transfer case with the Quadra-Trac II system (in the USA - Quadra Drive II), AW automatically redistributing the engine torque along the axes in a ratio from 0 to 100%. The rear axle is equipped with a Van-Corn limited slip differential, which regulates the distribution of torque to the wheels using a built-in viscous coupling, depending on their slip.

In 2003, at the AW toshow in Geneva, an updated version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV was presented. The novelty is easy to distinguish from the older modification by a slightly different design of the front of the body, where a new radiator grille, slightly different headlights with transparent caps and fog lights integrated into the bumper appeared.

Despite the popularity, the model was outdated, and it urgently needed an update. And at the New York AW tosalon in 2004, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee appeared before the public.

The third generation offers improved power, superior road performance and a well-equipped interior.

The new design of the Grand Cherokee is dynamic and aggressive, accentuated by a grille and round halogen headlights. The car has increased in length and width, the rear lights have become larger, the windshield has become flatter, and aerodynamic qualities have improved. In a word, the appearance of the Grand Cherokee III has not undergone any radical changes, but still you can’t confuse it with the previous generation.

Inside, the SUV has changed much more - now its design is designed in the European spirit. Salon is very ergonomic, spacious and comfortable. Two-tone seats harmonize with the dashboard of the same color. The dark top of the panel plays not only an aesthetic, but also a practical role - in bright sunlight, it casts less glare. Seat cushions have become more resilient. Only high-quality materials were used in the interior design. The car is equipped with a Boston Acoustics audio system with 6 speakers, optionally you can order a DVD system for rear passengers.

The top model Grand Cherokee is powered by a HEMI 5.7-liter 8-cylinder engine with 325 hp. c.. This is the most powerful unit ever offered for the Grand Cherokee. It also uses MDS (Multi Displacement System) variable displacement technology - in cases where full engine power is not needed, it turns off 4 out of eight cylinders, which saves fuel. The 4.7-liter V8 used in the previous generation of the model has also been improved. Now he gives out 230 hp. With. power and 393 Nm of torque. The base model is equipped with a 3.7-liter V6 with 210 hp. With. and a torque of 319 Nm. All engines are mated to a 5-speed AW automatic transmission.

The all-new independent front suspension gives the driver total control and reduces the weight of the AW vehicle. At the rear, a 5-link suspension with anti-roll bar is installed.

For the first time in a Jeep SUV, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee comes standard with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which helps the driver cope with difficult road conditions and reduces the risk of skidding. All this, plus the increased wheelbase, has taken the handling of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee to a whole new level.

Jeep Grand Cherokee IV built on the platform Mercedes M-class II generation. The SUV has become noticeably larger, the wheelbase is “stretched” by almost 13.5 cm, and the “wide” one has also added in the sides. As before, the “grand” of the next generation will either be rear-wheel drive (for North America) or all-wheel drive. Moreover, in the tradition of Jeep, the 4WD transmission is offered in one of 3 branded versions: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II or Quadra-Drive II. By choice.

There are only two engines in the program - and both are gasoline. Chrysler's latest Pentastar V-6 and the famous Hemi 5.7-liter V-6. Designs are extremely different - different worlds. The all-aluminum Pentastar has a 24-valve timing with 4 overhead camshafts, while the Hemi has a cast iron cylinder block, 16 valves and a single camshaft (in the collapse of the block).

In general, the suspension of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is about the same as that of the Mercedes M-Class. At both ends on double wishbones (behind the "spatial" scheme); coil springs, transverse stabilizers. Moreover, the Quadra Lift chassis is also available as an option - with pneumatic elastic elements (instead of springs). Apparently, the Mercedes Airmatic: level constancy (regardless of load), smoothness. And most importantly, the ability to raise the AW car above the road (or put it below) - according to the circumstances. So, by default, the ground clearance of the Grand Cherokee IV is 205 mm, but switching to Off-road II increases it to 282 mm! In Aero mode, the suspension sags (against the standard position) by 15 mm, which reduces air resistance at speed. Whereas in the parking lot, the ground clearance is reduced to 168 mm at all - for the convenience of boarding and disembarking. An impressive range...

Passenger space in the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee is much cleaner than the outgoing model - especially in the 2nd row. The "stretched" wheelbase allows, although there are only 5 seats - and no 3rd row. Options include adaptive cruise control, a double glazed sunroof and other premium attributes. A plus modern technology security - "active" and "passive". So, the “regular” list includes ERM electronics (Electronic Roll Mitigation - preventing rollover and mitigating its consequences). And for a surcharge, a frontal collision warning system is offered - with AW automatic mobilization of protective equipment. In addition to belts with pretensioners, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is equipped with numerous "pillows" and "curtains"; "active" head restraints are also provided.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland: All Inclusive

This AW car needs no introduction at all. For Russia, the first generation Grand Cherokee has become a relic, a symbol of a whole period of modern history, an era oversaturated with events and ambiguous. And the current model is a familiar sight on our roads, although it no longer inspires the former trepidation in the hearts of those around it.
In the early nineties, the Grand Cherokee "blew up" the SUV market with its tactical and technical parameters: the buyer received reactive dynamics without much damage to cross-country ability. Over time, competitors pulled themselves up, and against their background, the second-generation AW car lost the dashing image of its predecessor. The characteristic style has been preserved, but the speed qualities have faded. And by the season of the 2002 model year, the Grand Cherokee underwent a facelift with a serious revision of the contents of the engine compartment. The turbodiesel has changed, and the Overland version with a forced 4.7-liter engine has become the head of the family. The former four-speed "AW tomato" gave way to a five-speed, also of German origin.

When the new car first appeared, many joked that it looked a lot like the "first" Grand, but bitten by bees. Swollen, they say, the poor fellow, but never recovered. And it's true: when looking at the AW car, such an allegory suggests itself. The proportions are almost the same, only the fat has increased. It seems that the SUV is shod with "sixteenth" wheels, but they also seem small. This would be eighteen inches ...
However, there is another point, not at all aesthetic properties - visibility. Problems with a sense of dimensions visit us quite rarely - both the design of modern cars and our own experience affect us. The Grand Cherokee is one of the unfortunate exceptions. The high waistline and massive pillars make you feel like you're in an armored car. All hope is only for large exterior mirrors. However, because of their size, they sometimes have a hard time: the right mirror was mercilessly demolished by an SUV of comparable dimensions, which tried to stick itself between two rows.

The interior of the AW car is shocking at first. 100% Europe! There are no American motives at all, only hints remain, such as overly soft chairs with weak lateral support and black-and-green display graphics. The view from the salon is expensive and of high quality. Noble, "clean" design, complete order with buttons. The soul is warmed by the neatness of the wooden decor and the respectability of the leather-suede seat trim. There are six dials on the dashboard, but their readings are perceived without complications. The organization of the multifunctional steering wheel is generally ideal! I can’t even believe that all this is really created in America!

The equipment list of the Overland version is huge, but something should be mentioned. In particular, electric drives for adjusting the driver's seat in ten directions and an "electric" sunroof; climate control, four airbags and, of course, an audio system with a CD receiver, a ten-disc changer and Infinity acoustics with ten speakers. In the realism of the sound of AW, cars from across the ocean have always been ahead of their counterparts from the Old World and Japan, and Grand is another confirmation of this.
Traveling behind the two is comfortable and carefree, the three of us are cramped. Only one detail alerted me: the edges of the door do not go into the wheel arches, as on most of today's all-terrain vehicles of different classes. And this exposes the wardrobe of passengers to the danger of being soiled when landing on road and off-road dirt.

The temperament of the Grand Cherokee is still the same. The two-ton colossus accelerates with the enthusiasm of a "charged" hatchback, sensitively responding to any displacement of the accelerator pedal. The speedometer needle flies into the three-digit zone in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the stability of the AW car and the quality of sound insulation are such that speeds up to 120 km / h are not perceived by either the driver or passengers as any serious. The consistency of the engine and transmission is amazing! Switching is fast, barely noticeable, the traction capabilities of the motor are enough to “shoot” without frequent transitions to “kick-down”. Most of all I liked the ability of "AW tomato" to carry out engine braking: when decelerating, the box independently selects the appropriate stage, and the correctness of its choice is beyond doubt. Therefore, the subsequent acceleration does not begin on the "fifth" with the subsequent convulsive switching to the "fourth" or "third", but immediately from the "third". The result is a significant reduction in the reaction time of the machine to human commands.

The handling of the Grand Cherokee is quite good. Yes, the response of the SUV to the steering wheel does not shine with speed, but they are sufficiently accurate and predictable. Throw in an unexpectedly high level of feedback, and you can see why this AW car is so much more enjoyable to drive than a bunch of other SUVs. And the setting of the all-wheel drive transmission here is so successful that even a not very experienced driver can drive an AW car on slippery surfaces in drifts. Of course, the Grand Cherokee is not the X5 on asphalt, but it has gone very far from its American counterparts. But with a smooth ride, the picture is not so rosy. The fully dependent design of the suspensions causes both noticeable fluctuations in unsprung masses and the hard passage of large irregularities.

The Grand Cherokee's uniqueness lies in the fact that it handles just as confidently off-road as it does on the track. The capabilities of the Quadra Trak II system are truly impressive. In normal modes, this is a rear-wheel drive AW car: the AW front axle is automatically connected through a multi-plate clutch when the rear wheels slip. The inclusion of a lowering row is accompanied by a rigid blocking of the center differential. The rear axle is equipped with an AW automatic cross-axle differential lock - quite effective, because the diagonal hanging does not immobilize the car. And the well-thought-out geometry of the body allows you to overcome pits and mounds without the risk of catching on the ground. However, you should not ignore the following: if your Grand is "shod" in road tires, all its transfers and locks will be powerless in a really difficult situation.

Only one final touch remains. A 24-hour technical support program has recently been introduced in Moscow and St. Petersburg for owners of Chrysler and Jeep AW vehicles purchased from official dealers. In the event of warranty failures, as well as annoying road troubles like running out of fuel or a damaged tire, a "technician" will come to your aid from the nearest dealership. This type of elite service is practiced in Europe and North America by manufacturers of premium AW cars, but here it is carried out for the first time. One more argument "for".

Jeep Grand Cherokee. The burden of the leader
Alexander Budkin
Behind the wheel #6 2005

Among the “mother-in-law tongues” of the serpentine, a straight section finally appeared, and, despite the continuous markings, I decided to overtake a fairly boring cargo scooter. Ashamed? To be honest, I thought about it in the next moment, when I saw the traffic police car in front of the AW
He probably even blushed, but the Italian in a blue uniform with red stripes, with a cursory glance at me, continued to deal with some motorcyclist. Or maybe overtaking such a booger is within the rules?

The main provocateur who pushed me into a minor (I reassure myself) violation is the new Jeep Grand Cherokee with a 3-liter turbodiesel (in Russia - from 50,900 euros). The duet, I must say, is impressive. "Mercedes" motor of the new generation with an aluminum block and cast-iron sleeves develops 218 hp. With. But the torque of 510 N.m speaks even more about it - today it is the best indicator in the class.

HOW TO PRESENT YOU?

Introducing journalists to the new product, Craig Love, who is responsible for the direction of all-wheel drive AW cars of the company, did not hesitate to compare the Jeep with the Tuareg and the BMW-X5. At the same time, of course, the legendary cross-country ability of the Cherokee tribe was emphasized. The new AW car has never been compared with "serious" SUVs ... but it is in this class that the leader's name has become a household name.

On the liquid crystal display of the tachometer - the pressure in all wheels. Under the speedometer - the selected position of the box or in manual mode - the gear number From left to right: turning off the stabilization system, towing assistance, adjusting the pedal assembly (the pedal unit moves towards or away from the driver), turning off the parking sensors General English name for all-wheel drive Sport Utility Vehicle is translated as "AW vehicle for outdoor activities." This should drive smartly, give pleasure to the driver, offer convenient options for transforming the cabin, and remain comfortable on a long journey. All this and much more, the creators of the new machine consider its advantages. Maybe that's why they started with a story about the magnificent "asphalt" properties?

Just don’t think that the AW car has lost its driving skills in directions - few people can boast of such an arsenal of cross-country means as the Grand Cherokee. It is equipped with one of two all-wheel drive systems - Quadra Trak II (Quadra Trac II) or Quadra Drive II (Quadra Drive II). The latter includes an electronically controlled transfer case (reduction gear 2.72), three limited-slip differentials (center and two wheel-to-wheel) and can additionally block any wheel using standard brakes. And is it an SUV?

RAISE THE SAILS!

The panels are harsh to the touch, but quite pleasant to look at. How do you prefer to drive long distances - with climate control or just with an open sunroof; Do you like to choose gears yourself or do you trust AW Tomato? And what do you like more - turning off half of the cylinders of a 5.7-liter gasoline engine or an adjustable diesel turbocharger?

Chrome T-handle on the right includes low row and lockout. If there is asphalt under the wheels, the electronics will automatically turn off the rigid connection between the axles. Railings with crossbars are standard equipment. To get rid of wind noise, the car was blown through the wind tunnel more than once. The leg shamelessly tramples the right pedal, and the diesel Cherokee cuts through the air with the persistence of a Boeing taking off. Knowing the nature of modern diesel engines, I expect that the engine is about to “shut up”, but for a surprisingly long time it continues to pull the AW car over the horizon. No, I don't need 200 km/h now... Of course, the 5.7-liter gasoline engine (also updated) "shoots" even better, but it does it somehow harshly. Perhaps the diesel engine is helped by a gearbox specially designed for it, but the gasoline “eight” Hemi responds with intense acceleration in the first third of the accelerator stroke.

The suspension of the new Grand Cherokee holds the road better than its predecessor, which is not surprising. In front, it is now independent, on A-shaped levers, a couple of rods were added to the rear axle, and only gas-filled shock absorbers are installed.

And this is a wheel nipple combined with a pressure sensor and a small transmitter. Power - batteries, as in a quartz watch. The designers have been working on aerodynamics for a long time, and this has borne fruit. The drag coefficient is reduced to Cx = 0.41 (very good for an all-terrain AW car). The cabin is quite quiet, so that the standard equipment includes a CD changer and a Boston Acoustic audio system with a total power of 276 watts that can be appreciated.

PRINCES IN THE MUD

A huge puddle in front reminded me of home. In Italy, this mud had to be created artificially - to build a dam. However, what have we to do with this? We turn on a lower gear - and forward.

The Cherokee, in addition to a free differential that distributes torque to the front and rear wheels in a ratio of 48/52, has an electronically controlled friction clutch that can partially or completely block it. When the driver requests a downshift, the lock mode becomes the main one and the electronics take care of the timely unlocking of the differential if the car hits the pavement.

We slowly dip the front bumper into a puddle, drive over some rocks under water and soon crawl out to the opposite bank. The bottom turned out to be hard - what do they want to surprise us with? But the off-road section, as it turned out, did not end there, we finally reached the muddy track. Xrr, boom - AW car crawls on the bottom and knocks on something.

The deep rut again led to a muddy puddle, but further... Continuing to scrape its belly, the Grand Cherokee set out to go uphill - well, try it! A meter, two, three ... At some point, I thought with malice: "that's it, the road is not for an SUV." But, as if hearing a mockery, the Jeep grunted its transmission and crawled forward as if nothing had happened. Yes, locking all differentials is a serious thing!

Deep down you regret that classic off-road solutions are giving way to electronics, but I must admit: the current Cherokee can rightfully call itself legendary. Even though he does not have a front dependent suspension, a powerful frame and two extra levers sticking out of the floor.

The 3.0 CRD diesel engine (with a common rail power system) has a turbine with an adjustable inlet guide vane. Before reaching the impeller, the exhaust gases pass by the rotary vanes and are deflected by them. This allows you to maintain the optimal angle of entry of gases to the turbine at different speeds. The supercharging unit has high efficiency in different modes, and the engine has the best performance.

Source: WWW.ZR.RU - AW tomobile magazine "Behind the wheel"

Jeep Grand Cherokee test drive

Manufacturers often use animal names for their AW vehicles to emphasize the different qualities of their creations. Sometimes they are used successfully, sometimes not so much. And sometimes they don’t use it, although it would be quite appropriate. So DaimlerChrysler still names its SUVs in honor of the Indian tribe - Cherokee. Meanwhile, when you look at the updated Grand Cherokee forcing a water barrier, a comparison with a hippo involuntarily comes to mind. No one is going to rename this AW car the Jeep Grand Hippo, but there is a certain resemblance to this large and serious animal.

Forms have increased significantly, and appearance, in general, unequivocally makes it clear that Jeep is not going to get stuck on off-road. When you first look at the car, the main attention is drawn to the headlights, which are unusual for a Cherokee, somewhat reminiscent of infinity signs. But since the first generation, released back in 1992, the headlights have always been rectangular and with each update they simply increased in size. Now these are double circles - eyes, direction indicators have not yet separated from the headlight, but have already begun to crawl out into the territory of the wing.

If the headlights are the eyes, then the side mirrors will pass for the ears of a hippopotamus. The new headlights have left in the shadows even the enlarged branded grille, around which, at one time, there was a lot of legal hype.

The abundance of straight lines in the front is slightly leveled by recesses in the flat hood, following the contour of the headlights and emphasizing the Jeep logo. The exaggerated forms of the previous generation are only reminiscent of the wheel arches. True, they still end with flat stamping in order to be combined with the lines of the side surfaces of the AW car. Straight lines are just the AW tomobile fashion of our time, and their abundance does not negate the resemblance to hippos.

The simplification of external forms is reflected in the dashboard. Unfortunately or fortunately, it is unlikely that it will be possible to compare the hippopotamus and Jeep from the inside, so let's talk about the SUV. The lines are not rounded at all, except that the climate control is controlled by very convenient round switches, and separate ones for the driver and passenger. Information on the dials of the instrument panel is well readable. A small screen under the tachometer allows you to find out what the on-board computer is dissatisfied with at the moment. By the way, a little practice in its use will not hurt, since switching between sections constantly causes some kind of difficulty.

Getting comfortable in chairs will take a little time and a minimum of effort. Numerous electronic adjustments are easily changed with one hand. The memory function is a special pleasure when you sit down and at the touch of a button you return to your settings, accidentally knocked down by another driver.

A painfully brittle chrome lever on the center tunnel engages the bottom row of the transmission. It would be possible to simply bring this function to a regular button - anyway, the transfer case is controlled by a servo. The gearbox has the ability to manually shift. At the same time, the lever does not move in a vertical plane, like most AW cars, but in a horizontal one, but you quickly get used to this feature, and the manual mode is much more fun to drive than AW tomatic.

The soundproofing of the cabin makes the AW car truly comfortable - it is made in the Grand Cherokee at a very high level. But with a sense of speed, problems will inevitably arise. Even at 150 km / h, it seems that the speed limit has not yet been violated. Sometimes it seems that the speedometer is still faulty.

In order to compensate for such high-speed deception, the undercarriage was significantly altered. Although the habitat of the Cherokee is off-road, on flat surfaces one should be able to move faster than a hippopotamus and, at the same time, it is advisable not to periodically fall sideways.

Competition in the market obliges manufacturers to improve driving performance. No one promises the maneuverability of a passenger car, but for its AW dimensions, the car rides exceptionally well. Torsional rigidity has been increased by 60%. The base added 91 mm in length, track - 71 mm. All this made the AW car more stable on the road.

The main role in the behavior of the car on the road is assigned to the Quadra-Drive II all-wheel drive system with an NV245 transfer case and three electronically controlled limited slip differentials. This system allows you to instantly detect wheel slip and AW automatically redistribute engine torque to those wheels that have the best grip.

The rigid front axle was changed to an independent spring suspension on double wishbones. This technical solution, combined with the use of rack and pinion steering, added confidence when driving on public roads. Leading figures of serious off-road competitions are skeptical about such novelties. Fortunately, it was decided not to abolish the rear split bridge yet. It is attached to the body with widely spaced arms, limiting axle twist and increasing lateral rigidity.

So the dirt of the Grand Cherokee kneads in the best traditions, but, as before, the living space in the rear of the cabin is very reduced. It is likely that in the next version, the rear axle will give way to independent suspension, allowing a third row of seats to be installed.

The company made motors for any style of driving. It is quite possible to choose a powerful 5.8 HEMI engine with a Quadra-Trac II transmission, or compromise and order a 4.7-liter modification. With any AW motor, the car will adequately move not only along the roads of the city, but also where there are none.

With the latter option, the modification with the Mercedes 3.0 CRD turbodiesel is especially good. Its power is 218 hp, and the maximum torque of 510 Nm is achieved at a crankshaft speed of only 1600 rpm. So he is quite capable of confidently accelerating and providing, if necessary, towing large objects.

The list of modifications that can be purchased in Russia consists of two petrol and one diesel unit. Grand Cherokee with a top-end engine in the P1 or P2 configuration will cost 58,300 Euros or 59,900 Euros, respectively. Moreover, the complete set, by and large, differ only in tinting and a roof rack. SUVs with a 4.7-liter petrol and a 3-liter turbodiesel cost the same, and in trim levels P1 and P2 will cost 50,900 Euros and 52,700 Euros, respectively. So, if the desire to buy a behemoth is at odds with the possibilities, you can start with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Artyom Baranovsky
http://www.autonews.ru/

Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD
Element Jeep Grand Cherokee outside the city

Perhaps, of the whole variety of modifications of the Grand Cherokee, in the amount of three pieces, the diesel one should be the most in demand in our market. Last summer, when the SUV was introduced to the Russian market, many modifications included only two petrol versions. Now diesel is also available, which not only calmly knocks out a colleague with an engine displacement of 4.7 liters running on gasoline, but is also able to compete with 5.7 HEMI in terms of price-quality-expediency of purchase. Although we often buy the most expensive version with a powerful engine. But, whatever one may say, a diesel engine is the most preferable in terms of compliance with our realities and simply because of the financial component of the issue.

Much has been said about the exterior design of this AW car, including its relationship with the inhabitant of Africa - the hippopotamus. Since that summer time, the situation has simply not changed fundamentally. All the same forms, except that in the washed sides, it is no longer green leaves and the dark earth of a quarry that are reflected, but gray branches and white snow of country expanses. At the first glance at the AW car, the headlights of an unusual shape, as before, attract the main attention. This design element has become familiar in city traffic over the past six months, so many are beginning to give it a positive assessment, although earlier mixed reviews were often heard from the same people.

The masculine forms of the Grand Cherokee are no doubt relevant outside the city, but in its line, he still cannot feel at home, here he is out of place. Like a Formula 1 car on the cramped streets of the center of the capital - everyone seems to know what it is capable of, but it has no opportunity to show all this in full. Therefore, when you move on smooth asphalt, you constantly want to dismantle the removable deflector at the bottom of the bumper and rush to somewhere in the mud where you can challenge the AW car, yourself and road services. Strange urges, especially considering the fact that it is unlikely that everyone who visits such an attitude can call himself an ardent supporter of the off-road mess. Apparently, the capabilities of the AW car have the ability to encourage action outside of flat roads.

Kneading in this behemoth a dirty edge, a snow barrier or some other trouble for sedans is a pleasure, and the reason is solely in the ability of the Quadra-Drive II all-wheel drive with an NV245 transfer case and three electronically controlled limited slip differentials. The engine and gearbox, by the way, have German roots. Mercedes-Benz generously shared with this American the components that undoubtedly became an ornament even in the drawings of a future novelty, not to mention practical benefits.

This AW car was built for rugged destinations, and smooth roads are more reminiscent of our time, which requires everyone to be versatile. At the joints and unevenness of the asphalt, the shaking of the unsprung masses is heard, but compared to the previous bodies, it’s all the same - everything is very worthy. The rigid front axle was changed to an independent spring suspension on double wishbones. This technical solution, combined with the use of rack and pinion steering, also added confidence at more or less serious speeds.

And the diesel modification easily equates the speeds mentioned to the gasoline modification, the working volume of which is 4.7 liters. Up to "hundreds" in just 9 seconds, and the smoothness of the ride is generally amazing and inspires respect. Switching, picking up, operation of the box at speeds above 100 km / h - all this makes it clear that there was no place for imposing American moods in the operation of the box. Just like the previous buildup of the body when cornering. Everything is clearly in German. At the same time, the American "behemoth" consumes only 14 liters of diesel fuel in the urban cycle, with the passport 13.1 liters, which is simply an excellent indicator for an AW car weighing 2169 kg and separate climate control turned on.

The power of a 3-liter diesel engine is 218 hp. at 4000 rpm it is enough to accelerate the AW car to 190 km / h at a maximum of 200 km / h, but such extremism is more of a curiosity than a necessity. Much more important for an SUV is 510 Nm at a magnificent interval from 1600 to 2800 rpm, allowing you to scatter bits of dirt over the surrounding forest plantation. Of course, for this he would need rubber with a more off-road orientation.

External brutality is clearly not reflected in the design of the trunk, the bottom of which is covered with a soft fleecy coating. The interior decoration still looks more acceptable for a vehicle of this kind. The skin is smooth, so it will be easy to wash, and the plastic is hard. Ruffles and baubles are definitely not to be found in this American. The lines are not rounded at all, except that the climate control is controlled by very convenient round switches, and separate ones for the driver and passenger. Information on the dials of the instrument panel is well readable. A small screen under the tachometer allows you to find out what the on-board computer is dissatisfied with at the moment. By the way, a little practice in using it will not hurt, since switching between sections constantly causes some kind of difficulty.

Getting comfortable in chairs will take a little time and a minimum of effort. Numerous electronic adjustments are easily changed with one hand. They just fix the body during accelerations and turns, they are not very good. Sometimes you catch yourself thinking that you are wasting extra strength just to sit up straight. Pleased with the memory function, which, oddly enough, is engaged in remembering the settings of the seats. From the interior, only the painfully fragile chrome-plated lever on the central tunnel, which includes the lower transmission row, is even less attractive. I had to use his services several times, but more often the AW car did without him, raking the road to the target.

The car really liked outside of normal roads. Makes you want to fight the road services in your own way. On a flat road, it’s still not so good, but the capabilities of a diesel unit and German components in general are simply amazing. Salon solid, but as always, it seems that the Americans held themselves back. The main plus is fuel consumption, which in our time is becoming an increasingly relevant indicator. Not everyone will include the price in this list, but you can’t throw out the words from the song, so the P1 and P2 configurations go for 50.9 thousand and 52.7 thousand euros, respectively. These figures are similar to the cost of the gasoline version with a 4.7-liter engine, but even despite the problems with diesel fuel, I want to make a choice in favor of the diesel version, which has its own unique zest.

Artem Baranovsky
http://www.autonews.ru/

Jeep Grand Cherokee III
The same "grand"

At one time, this AW car killed two birds with one stone. The Grand Cherokee, born in 1992, was not only one of the first sports utility cars on the market, but also a kind of symbol of the era of primitive accumulation of capital. In subsequent years, competitors caught up and overtook the American pioneer with more interesting and innovative offerings. At some point, it seemed golden age brand SUVs are irretrievably a thing of the past. But the timely helping hand of the German allies within the framework of the DaimlerChrysler alliance is already giving the brand and model another chance today.

The new Grand Cherokee really benefited from such close proximity to high German technology. Electronically controlled limited-slip differentials, an electronic stability control program, three all-wheel drive options, a multi-link rear suspension and an all-new independent front suspension, a new steering mechanism - no matter how many years and investments it would take for lone American engineers to realize this all in one AW car? And now this is not a dream, but reality, more precisely, a 2005 model.

The appearance of the car did not become a sensation for journalists, and it will not be a surprise for buyers. The same proportions, the same signature grille. Designers got rid of many details that tied the AW car to the nineties, made the look more minimalistic and masculine.

Despite the fact that this model with a monocoque body has always been positioned primarily as a road AW car, special attention has been paid to the all-wheel drive systems of the novelty. The new Cherokee will come to market with three drivetrain options: Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II. The first option is the simplest and is designed for those who used to drive a single-drive "Indian" (25% of them were sold). There are no switches or special levers here, and the single-speed "transfer case" divides the moment between the front and rear axles in a ratio of 48/52.
In critical situations, the BTCS traction control system will come to the aid of the driver, which will begin to slow down the spinning wheel.

The second version of the "Quad-Track" uses a more complex transfer case with a central differential and a package of electronically controlled clutches. It gives the driver the advantage of downshifting, and also, thanks to a variety of sensors, detects wheel slip on the very early stage. The BTCS system brakes each wheel individually and allows you to quickly restore the necessary contact with the roadway. The most advanced variant, the Quadra Drive II, uses the same transfer case along with electronically controlled limited slip differentials on each axle.

The tradition of using large-volume engines always remains unchanged for a real "American". The base for the AW car will be a 3.7-liter "six" (210 hp). The single-shaft engine replaced the well-known four-liter six-cylinder unit, which has already served its purpose. The second most powerful was the 4.7-liter V8 engine (230 hp), which has undergone minor changes that made its operation quieter. And at the top of the lineup is now the famous 5.7-liter HEMI engine, heavily promoted by American marketers. The symbol of the former greatness of the American AW automotive industry has a V8 configuration and is capable of delivering 325 hp. To save fuel, the engine is equipped with an MDS (Multi-Displacement System), which allows you to turn off four cylinders when the rest can handle the load. This motor also uses aluminum block heads with hemispherical combustion chambers, as well as an electronic throttle control actuator.

For new and updated engines, two types of upgraded five-speed AW automatic transmission are offered. One of them is intended exclusively for the V6 engine - the gearshift control program has been reconfigured for this engine, which can also be adapted to individual driving style.

The 2005 Grand Cherokee features a new multi-link front suspension that not only has less weight but also more travel (10 percent more). The rear suspension has been revised, which directly affects the calibration of the springs and dampers. An interesting DHS (Dynamic Handling System) system increases the rigidity of the front and rear stabilizer mounts while driving, allowing a tall car to take turns more confidently, but not lose smoothness on a straight line.

The new SUV has previously uncharacteristic premium options: SmartBeam headlight system, AW to automatically dim when oncoming cars, a DVD rear entertainment system, a hands-free system called Uconnect, a rain sensor, a satellite radio reception system and a dual-zone system. climate control. Safety has not been forgotten either - front and rear airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system and a parking radar are at the service of the driver and passengers.

Jeep Grand Cherokee III: Supreme Council of Chiefs

The ceremony of transferring power over the jeep tribe was supposed to pass decorously, without too much fuss. The old leader, who had ruled for the past six years, was going to proudly leave for the Valley of the Ancestors, giving way to a new one - young and strong. But the gods decreed otherwise, and the freshly baked Grand Cherokee III unexpectedly turned out to be not at all in the lead, but quite the contrary, in a subordinate position. By a strong-willed decision from above, the Commander was appointed as the main one. It is to him that everyone must now unquestioningly obey.

The Commander will not get to Russia soon, and all this time the coolest thing for us will be the Grand Cherokee. It is clearly cooler than its predecessor: the top modification is no longer equipped with a 4.7-liter V8 High Output with a capacity of 258 hp, but with a 326-horsepower 5.7 Hemi engine from Chrysler 300C. The diesel version now has 218 "horses" - instead of the previous 163. So there is an arms race. But not a price race: if you compare the old 4.7 Overland with the new 4.7 Limited, the increase will be only a thousand euros. And this despite the fact that the list of equipment has grown: the "standard", for example, included ESP. Since we were unable to pick up cars in equivalent configurations, the "third" Grand will be given the 5.7 Hemi Limited version, and the "second" - 4.0 Limited.

The Great Leader got hooked on fitness, dropping plump kilograms and acquiring dense muscles. Today it looks more like a brick than a loaf, but the individuality is also lost. The most expressive element was the twin headlights, from which Jaguar double-barreled stampings stretched along the hood. The rear doors have taken on a professional look: they now cover the wheel arches, thereby saving passengers' clothes from contact with a dirty body. And the fact that the body is simply obliged to be in the "dirt" of various consistencies is due to the positioning of the Grand Cherokee as a serious SUV, and not a "parquet" city slicker.

Massive doors close easily, without any effort, with a deaf noble cotton. Unfortunately, the tailgate lost its comfortable outer handle - only the key above the license plate remained. There are still no hints of a third row of seats in the cargo area. Apparently, multi-location will be one of the main attractions of the flagship Commander model. And the Grand Cherokee is still designed for five.

The architecture of the front panel of the cabin has been preserved without any changes. Its geometry has become a little sharper, but the attention to design details is an order of magnitude higher. This is the German vision of the new Chrysler style, which we have already encountered on the 300C sedan. Slender rows of flat buttons, accurate play with pseudo-chrome - and the interior already looks solid in a European way. It's worth watching! But it’s not a pleasure to feel it, because the dominant material in the cabin, except, of course, leather, turned out to be echoing hard plastic. This despite the fact that inside the old Grand, with its heavy and careless design, soft plastic was used with might and main. Miracles! In fairness, I note that official dealers are also not enthusiastic about such a substitution, and are already ready to offer the client their own options for finishing the front panel with prestigious materials.

Another trace of European influence is armchairs. They are much stiffer than the old car, but therefore more comfortable on a long journey. This ensures not only better load distribution, but also much more tangible lateral support. With ergonomics, in principle, everything is fine. It’s easier for the driver to get comfortable: he has a bunch of conceivable and unimaginable adjustments at his disposal - even the pedals go back and forth on the electrics. The rest is hindered by a too high landing, and in the back there is also a high floor, which makes you bend your knees a lot.

Why is that? Yes, because below, under your feet, there is a full-fledged all-wheel drive transmission. Of the four drive options, the "Russian" Grand Cherokee received the most advanced, bearing the name Quadra-Drive II. This is a permanent four-wheel drive with a torque distribution between the axles in a ratio of 48:52 in favor of the rear. There are also downshifts and locks on all three differentials. I remember that the previous model was also equipped with a Quadra-Drive transmission, but the first generation. What has changed?

The main news is the disappearance of the second lever that controlled the transfer case from the cabin. Instead, a small silvery thing appeared, connecting the lower row of the transmission (with the "AW tomato" lever in position N) and at the same time turning off the stabilization system. The second news is the replacement of the old Vari-lok cross-axle differentials with new ELSDs, blocked by multi-plate clutches at the command of the electronics. These clutches are fast-acting and capable of fully locking the differentials. Exactly the same scheme is applied to the center differential. In other words, in the limit, the Grand Cherokee turns into a Mercedes Gelaendewagen, in which all differentials are also rigidly blocked!

It is believed that on real off-road, diesel is especially useful with its huge torque at low revs. But the almost six-liter V8 also has complete order with the moment. The Hemi blows the Grand Cherokee away like a storm blows a plastic cup. The true - not childish - weight of the car in these moments is absolutely not realized. However, in the first turn or at the first braking, he immediately makes itself felt. The brakes of the new Grand are clearly more powerful, but they work in two stages: first smoothly and sluggishly, and then sharply and with full force. Most likely, this is a consequence of the increased capabilities of the motors, and therefore, the speeds that need to be extinguished. The old car slows down more smoothly.

Ride was better before. The former Grand was more calm about pits and joints and did not notice the shallow terrain. But steered worse. The new Cherokee has practically got rid of the "gelatinization" characteristic of its predecessor. He had an independent front suspension, which was not slow to have a positive effect on the "feeling of the AW car" and the feedback characteristic. "Zero" is clearer here, the reactive force is more pronounced and changes according to a more adequate algorithm. Along the way, rolls decreased, and the car “goats” less. There are no limits to stability: tight corners with a wet surface are overcome on a good run so confidently that the ESP does not get the slightest chance to prove its worth.

To be honest: the main thing in the Grand Cherokee 5.7 is wild dynamics. The SUV briskly responds even to a pat on the gas pedal, but once the engine is given free rein, it will heartily throw the AW car to the next traffic light or turn - whichever comes first. If nothing comes across, and there is a straight road ahead, be prepared to test the strength of your nerves. The speed in a big car is not perceived as sharply as in an urban small car, but the rapid rise of the speedometer needle to the top of the scale is no less impressive than the uterine roar of a motor that has tasted freedom. Against this background, "AW tomato" may not surprise you with its nimbleness, but there is no need for it either. It looks like the Grand and Hemi will easily "leave" almost any rival, even in the company of the ancient Hydra-Matic box from the Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser of 1939. By the way, all engine cylinders are activated only during acceleration or at very high speeds, in other cases, the Multi-Displacement system leaves half of them in operation.

Obviously, the new leader - who recently seems to be like the vice-leader - will not make a revolution. Instead, he will consistently develop the ideas of his predecessor. The Jeep Grand Cherokee III in its most impressive 5.7 Hemi is not cheap and easily falls into a niche saturated with toothy competitors. However, if you look at the seconds first when studying the technical characteristics, you will not find a more tempting option.

First look at the new generation Jeep Grand Cherokee

Generational change in the world of SUVs does not occur as often as in the more massive segment of passenger cars or crossovers. Other models of real "rogues" can boast of more than a decade of conveyor life without major design changes. However, sooner or later their turn comes - for example, this year a completely new flagship of the Jeep Grand Cherokee company entered the market.

There are few cars in the world whose name has become a household name for a whole class or even a segment of cars. If we talk about cars, then, of course, the VW Golf model dominates here, with its own name all the cars of the “C” segment are called. As for SUVs, since ancient times, any car capable of leaving hard surfaces was automatically called a jeep by the common people. We must pay tribute to the Jeep company, almost all of whose models proudly hold this honorary title.

Moreover, such a statement is true not only for cars born to conquer off-road, such as Wrangler, but also those that are designed for less harsh living conditions, and among them is the Grand Cherokee. Actually, to say that such a model as the Jeep Grand Cherokee is a parquet sissy is at least unfair. Several decades ago, Chrysler engineers decided to create a car that can not only conquer off-road, but also provide maximum comfort to its owners. This is how a car appeared, which is practically not inferior in off-road properties to horse-drawn "rogues", and in terms of comfort - to a decent passenger car. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, and the Grand Cherokee has not only not sunk into oblivion, but with each new generation it has become more prestigious and better.

Our today's hero is another round of his evolution, and quite a steep one at that - after all, the modern Grand Cherokee has inherited practically nothing from its predecessor, except perhaps for appearance. Despite the fact that the exterior design of the novelty was developed from scratch, the signature features of the previous model can be clearly seen in the overall composition of the exterior. And this is rather a plus of the new Grand Cherokee - an ageless classic, and today many people prefer other newly-made models to futurism. And our hero, despite the simplicity of the lines, is quite expressive.

Approximately the same can be described and the architecture of the interior. The front panel drawn in the corporate style with a perfectly readable instrument cluster, a laconic dashboard style with a large audio system monitor - everything is done with the proper level of quality, and the good-quality soft plastic trim is moderately diluted with decorative wooden and aluminum inserts.

No complaints about ergonomics: the ability to change the position of the steering column for reach and tilt, coupled with a rich set of adjustments for the pilot's seat, allows a person of almost any build to get into the driver's seat without any problems. It should be noted that the doorways increased in relation to the previous model - now the process of getting on and off is much more convenient, not only for the inhabitants of the first row, but also for the passengers of the second. The space for crew accommodation has also increased, the conditions for accommodating luggage have improved, but the most interesting thing is hidden in the depths of the new Grand Cherokee.

Model History

The history of the "Great Indian" goes back to the 80s, when the Jeep brand was still part of the American Motors Corporation, which ended its existence in 1987. After that, the charismatic brand became the property of Chrysler. The forerunner of the first generation Grand Cherokee (ZJ) was the luxurious Grand Wagoneer. Interestingly, the "Indian" was developed by AMC specialists, but he became the first representative of the Jeep brand, decorated with a Chrysler five-pointed star. Unlike the frame Wagoneer, the newcomer has found a load-bearing body. The car was offered a four-liter straight-six, a pair of V8s, including a powerful 5.9-liter unit for high-speed performance, a 1998 5.9 Limited, and several types of transmissions, including the famous Selec-Trac 242nd transfer case, which combines own full-time and part-time modes. For the European market, a 2.5-liter turbodiesel was offered. The ZJ rolled off the assembly line from 1993 to 1998, then the WJ took its place - more modern and with better driving performance. The lower-valve V8s have given way to a new, more fuel-efficient 4.7-liter PowerTech eight-cylinder engine. After the “marriage” of Chrysler Corporation with Daimler-Benz in the late 90s, much has changed, including for the “Indian”. The 2004 Grand Cherokee WK has gone even further from the rugged ZJ. The axle beam at the front gave way to independent suspension. Completely changed range of engines. The most ferocious is the 425-horsepower 6.1-liter V8 Hemi, which was installed on the sporty Grand Cherokee SRT-8.


Independent theme

Perhaps one of the most discussed topics in relation to new generation SUVs is the transition from dependent suspensions to multi-link designs. One can understand avid jeepers who consider the scheme with solid axle beams to be more reliable when conquering off-road. But, think about how many owners of all-wheel drive vehicles worth more than 1.5 million rubles. are you ready to send your pets where Makar did not send calves? Very few, and the rest of the audience is much more important than components such as comfort or reliable behavior at high speeds. Just in this Grand Cherokee showed itself well. Precise steering through corners, unshakable stability on the straights and almost complete indifference to the condition of the roadway. And this is at a discount to the fact that the sample we tested in a far from the most expensive configuration had a conventional spring suspension, but for gourmets, the list of Grand Cherokee modifications includes options equipped with pneumatics (Quadra-Lift), which allows you to select a mode for specific conditions. movement.

If we return to the topic of cross-country ability, then even the basic version has geometric indicators that allow you to go in search of mud adventures without much fear, and a car with pneumatic elements instead of springs is able to provide a ground clearance of 270 mm.

Plus electronics

Maintains the title of "rogue" in the new Grand Cherokee and all-wheel drive transmission scheme. Here, as in the case of the suspension, depending on the level of equipment, the car can be equipped with two options for the all-wheel drive system. In our case, the Quadra-Trac II system, which operates on the principle of torque-on-demand, in addition to the presence of a downshift, boasts the addition of a Selec-Terrain subsystem. However, despite its own name, today a similar electronic tool that improves the behavior of the car on unpaved surfaces is used by many automakers. The principle of its operation is also approximately the same: a washer located on the central tunnel selects the type of surface, and the control electronics, adjusting the operation of twelve systems subject to it (ESP, ABS and others), optimizes the supply of torque to the wheels in accordance with current conditions. The system works excellently, and is especially useful for people who have little experience when driving off-road: turn the selector knob to the desired position - and there is no need to master the science of jewelry work with the accelerator pedal. As our tests have shown, this set it is quite enough for confident advancement along the muddy autumn directions.

For those who don't think that's enough, Jeep offers an even more advanced package that comes in addition to versions equipped with air suspension - the QuadraDrive II all-wheel drive system. Here, a limited slip differential with electronically controlled locking works as a device that distributes torque between the axles. In addition, Selec-Terrain in this version has an extended range of modes.

It's no secret that in order to get the full pleasure of driving, in addition to an excellent chassis and advanced all-wheel drive systems, you also need a good power unit. In the Russian market, the new Grand Cherokee offers two engine options. Both engines are gasoline, the first is a completely new V-shaped “six” with a volume of 3.6 liters, with a variable valve timing system, which develops a maximum power of 286 hp. It was this unit, coupled with a five-speed automatic, that was installed on our version. The manufacturer promises that this motor is distinguished by enviable efficiency with high traction characteristics, and in fact this statement turned out to be close to the truth. Even under test operating conditions, fuel consumption was about 15 l / 100 km. As for the excellent performance, there is not without a fly in the ointment. However, the main complaints are still about the insufficient efficiency of the automatic transmission and a noticeable delay in the reaction of the engine control electronics to a sharp opening of the throttle. True, this roughness is noticeable only with an aggressive driving style, and for most, the return from this motor is more than enough. For those who like it hot, the range of units includes the “eight” Hemi with a volume of 5.7 liters and a maximum power of 352 hp. True, the last option for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee will make the future owner's wallet much easier: $87,900 versus $66,800 for the base version is a substantial surcharge.

Verdict

Thrust-to-weight ratio
The 3.6-liter petrol powertrain can be described as sufficient for a Grand Cherokee. 286 HP enough for dynamic movement on asphalt surfaces, they allow you not to experience an acute shortage of traction when overcoming difficult off-road sections.

Comfort
In this nomination, the car is noticeably superior to its predecessor, from the ergonomics of the driver's seat and rich equipment to the acoustic component of comfort and a very spacious second row of seats.

Behavior on the road
Thanks to the introduction of independent circuits in the suspension, the car's handling in relation to the previous generation has become noticeably better. It is gratifying that the smooth running of the machine, which is no less important for Russian reality, did not suffer.

Behavior off the road
Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite major changes in the design of its chassis, has not turned into an ordinary SUV at all. Of course, like most of its competitors, the lion's share of off-road success is provided by electronics, but this, perhaps, should not be called a serious drawback.

Eventually
In general, the new Grand Cherokee is a worthy successor to the company's traditions, and the introduction of many innovations in its design only gave the car weight among most competitors.


Specifications
Modification3,6
WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONAL INDICATORS
Curb / full weight, kg2115/2950
Length/width/height, mm4820/1940/1760
Wheel base, mm2915
Track front / rear, mm1625/1625
Ground clearance, mm220
Tires front/rear265/60R18 (30.5")*
Luggage compartment volume, l782/1554
ENGINE
Type, location and number of cylindersPetrol, V6
Working volume, cm 33604
Power, hp (kW) at rpm286 (210) at 6350
Max. torque, Nm at rpm347 at 4300
TRANSMISSION
TransmissionAutomatic, 5-st.
gear ratios
I3,59
II2,19
III1,41
IV1,00
V0,83
Reverse3,16
main gear3,06
All wheel drive typeConstant
CHASSIS
Suspension front/rearIndependent
Brakes front/rearDisk
PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed, km/h195
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h, s9,7
Fuel consumption (city/highway), l/100 km14,7/10,7
Fuel/fuel capacity tank, lAI-92/93
price, rub.From $66 800
* In brackets is the outer diameter of the tires

Nissan Pathfinder
This model, after the modernization carried out last year, is offered only with diesel power units. And its design - a supporting frame, a dependent rear suspension and the presence of a reduction gear range - is able to please off-road fans. Price in Russia - from 1,493,500 rubles.


Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
One of the few modern SUVs in which the time-tested condo design is successfully combined with newfangled electronic systems. On the Russian market, it is offered both with a gasoline and a diesel power unit. The cheapest option costs 1,805,000 rubles.


VW Touareg
A product of the German automobile industry, which at one time proved that two cars - an excellent SUV and an outstanding SUV - may well be in one shell. Today it is offered in two versions - off-road and more passenger, and the minimum cost in our market is 2,083,000 rubles.


text: Alexey TOPUNOV
photo: Roman TARASENKO

How to Buy a Jeep Grand Cherokee

Candidate Selection

1. We find the car for sale.

2. We learn from the seller by phone the VIN-code of the car. We ask the seller for the type of engine and transfer case. If the type of transfer case and engine does not suit you, we return to point 1.

3. Check the VIN code for correctness (see). Using the decoded VIN code, we check the seller's words about the year of manufacture and configuration.

4. If the VIN code is correct, go to step 5. If incorrect, go back to step 1.

5. Check the history of the car on the server carfax(if possible, since it is, in fact, paid).

6. We check the VIN code for Interpol, for example, in the VIN conference on the www.auto.ru server. Or in the traffic police, if possible. If the check for Interpol ended in failure, we return to point 1. If successful, we continue the purchase process.

7. We read the engine code (see).

Engine code there is, but he not recorded in PTS and CP

engine code there is and he inscribed in PTS and SR like engine model

engine code there is and he inscribed in PTS and SR like engine number

engine code No

In the PTS and SR, the "engine number" column must indicate "NONE" or "B/N" (no number)
If "N / U" is indicated (not installed) - there may be problems when someone wants to "install" it right on the post.

In fact, the most correct option, but if a traffic cop finds the engine code on the road and considers it the engine number, then it will be very difficult to leave such a traffic cop without loss.

In this case, the column "engine number" should indicate "NOT" or "B / N" (without a number)

Although in fact this is not true, it causes the least questions from traffic cops

A common option, because. previously, the engine code was entered instead of the number. In principle, this is not true (see Daimler-Chrysler's explanation below). Check if destroyed by handicraft or corrosion. If the code is not readable (at least in one character), then when removing or registering, it will be necessary to conduct an examination (the traffic police will force you to do this anyway) and make inserts in the TCP

If the column "engine number" in the PTS and SR indicates "absent" - it's normal, but there may be slight divorces on the topic "why the number was destroyed, perhaps the engine was stolen." If the number is indicated there, but it is not on the engine (destroyed) - let the previous owner deal with this problem. In the case of a purchase, it will be extremely difficult to register this car, and in some cases it will be simply impossible. In this case, the previous owner, upon deregistration, must make changes to the registration data (remove the number from the documents "- if he manages to do this, then see the first sentence of the paragraph.

SR - Certificate of Registration
PTS - vehicle passport

External inspection of the car

8. Identification by appearance.

If we see foglights built into the lower part of the bumper, this is a car of the 96 model year and later. If the bumper and grille are painted in body color - this is a Limited modification, if not - Laredo, SE, Base. Although Laredo after 1997 may have painted bumpers. More

General information with changes by year of issue

If we see such a car, then this is 93

9. We climb into the salon and inspect its condition, the operation of appliances, air conditioning, etc.

10. We identify the transfer case. More details. If the type of transfer case does not suit you, go back to point 1.

11. Drive the car to a service you trust and make a complete diagnosis of the car. Ask service workers to tell you the cost of parts and work that they recommend to carry out immediately after buying a car. You are trying to "share" the amount you have spoken with the seller of the car.

12. Agree on the final price and buy a car.

Addition 1

1. If the engine is 4.0 liters - look in front of the front left wheel - if oil drips, then go to step 1 (engine repair is coming)
2. If, during a test drive, a rumble appears in front or behind, changing the tone when the “gas” is added / reset, then go to step 1 (the front / rear axle will be repaired)
3. When viewed from below by mechanics at a familiar car service, ask to pay attention to the brackets of the upper front levers - there may be cracks (expensive repairs are coming)
4. If, when you turn on the gear, the car first seems to “think”, and then only a push is felt, then go to step 1 (the box will be repaired)
5. If the engine oil on the dipstick has foreign particles of a metallic color, then go to step 1
6. If there are foreign particles on the dipstick of the automatic transmission and (or) the oil has a burnt smell, then go to step 1
MONSTR44

Supplement 2

Addition3

Wet spot under front passenger carpet air conditioning problem. Either cleaning the drain or replacing the tubes (More).
Yes, if the box is 42nd, then you need to read the codes for the diagnostics of the box (More).
And yet - my year-old torment. "SPECIFICALLY!" warm up the car (the oil pressure in the engine should decrease according to the sensor) and check. Does the car "twitch" or just stall? As practice has shown, the 24th leg in the computer indulges, and this is not uncommon on the Grands.
Yuri.
Yuch

However, I don't understand. Car diagnostics (good) at the service costs ~ $100. Checking for customs - the same amount. For Interpol + examination of numbers and documents - similarly. In total, each unsuccessful copy costs us 100-300 USD. Three or four real candidates increase our costs by more than 1K. Again, no one will give a guarantee that while you are checking the car, the seller will not steam it to another person, or will not change his mind about selling it for this price, having learned how cool everything is with his documents.
The sum of 10K suggests that checking and finding the car is worth nothing. But then you don't need to write that the Grand costs 10K - for 10K the pros can buy it. A grand is worth as much as an ordinary person can buy it for, resorting to the help of professionals to protect themselves from jambs. These are two different giants.

Answer

"Car diagnostics (good) at the service costs ~ $100. "
~$30 from the same Astakhov, for example. And it's not cheap. It's more or less the same everywhere. At the same time, the slaughter of most cars is so obvious that it can be seen with the "naked eye" and you do not need to go to the service to confirm a disappointing diagnosis.

"Checking for customs - the same amount."
A full check of "legal purity" cost me 300 rubles. into the pocket of a forensic expert. True, "for friendship." Before any checks, you need to make sure that the Title is issued by customs, or the traffic police on the basis of a customs certificate (before Aug. 97, it seems) and not "instead of the lost one" or "by court order", check the VIN for correctness () and on www .carfax.com

In reality, in the case of a jeep, at the purchase of which it was possible to be present, the person also gave the original GTE from customs.

For me personally, the main thing is that a normal person sells a car. This greatly simplifies verification. In general, you can see when a well-maintained car is a normal owner who sells it in a reasonable time for a reasonable reason.

I absolutely do not consider myself a professional in "Grands", I just understand the possible "pitfalls" when buying any car. And I was the only "consultant". All other people involved in the "checks" (expert and service) were found through the Internet, auto.ru. All VIN checks by Carfax, etc. were free of charge - thanks to the conference!

In reality, the amount of purchase for a black 1994 Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2/249 with a body kit and even a gate with a spare tire cover at the back was $10,000 to the seller, the deregistration - his account-reference - seems to be in half. She was worth every penny. Expert - 300 rubles, Astakhov - $ 30. Everything. Six months have passed, no significant problems with the car, ugh*3. There were no additional costs associated with viewing "empty", except for burned gasoline and wasted time.

In fact, out of the whole set of cars that I looked at, outwardly the condition was acceptable only for one more - white. But she was crooked according to the documents. The decision of the court did not begin to dig further. There was also a black car in 1993 with 4.0/249 - shabby, but quite lively, with a Moscow customs PTS. For $7,500. It was bought by another auto-rusher, by the way. Since the customer I helped had a supply of money, she did not take it, preferring to look for a better option.

The rest of the "Grands" were such firewood that it was evident even without getting inside and without a test drive. Cars with incorrect VINs did not go to look. Cars with a price above $11,000 after a preliminary phone call - too.

Can someone tell me about the Grand Cherokee 5.9. Features of operation, weaknesses, and in general, how is the car itself and is it worth buying, a little used ?? It hurts like it.
Informed about fuel consumption. :about)

Answer 1

98 gasoline is the weakest point. The other one cannot be driven. A good 98th is a rarity in our area. Frequent complaints of owners about detonation ("ringing of fingers").
The suspension breaks somewhat faster than on 5.2 (due to faster driving :)).
And the rest - Grand as Grand ...

Answer 2

5.9's are known for their love of punching gaskets right under the intake manifold....
Symptoms, increased engine vibration, oil consumption, air leakage into the engine (vacuum reaches 15 inches of mercury, normal is around 5 inches)
Replacement labor costs (dealer yardstick) 4.7 hours X $75 plus parts...
Usually this happens after 50-60 thousand miles....
monster-cherokee

Answer 3

Enlighten on the cost structure for custom devices (say 4L) from abroad. Those. how much money do you need to add to the price of the car "there" in order to get it already cleared in the capital?

Answer

The cost structure is as follows:
1. Machine cost. You go to mobile.de and look. You can safely discard the first 30% of the cheapest ones - jambs or leave without you. Look in the middle of the list.
2. Customs. Cherok. 4000*1.4*0.92 = $5200 + clearance $100-300.
Grandee. 5200*1.4*0.92 = $6700 + clearance $100-300
3. Import. ~ 2300-2500.
In total, just the idea of ​​having a grand in Moscow (not yet in Siberia!) costs $8,500. And also the Grand. In a word - $23K.
Actually, there is a problem in the cost structure. No one wants to pay for a grand 6800 homeland when the same thing costs 3900 on a pajero. So they don’t carry it. And if they don’t bring it, there is only firewood on the market. Firewood is not expensive but no one needs it.
Sometimes (rarely) normal people start selling normal grands. And they are surprised to find that no one needs a normal grand for normal money. They get upset, the Skating rink comes and buys for 10. :) Although they sold a good person, the seller thinks and calms down :)
Sometimes normal people want to buy a grand. And they find that even throwing a couple of pieces to the average price, it’s impossible to find a good one. Because there are few of them. And order from Germany.

Good luck,
Alexander.

How to distinguish an AW4 box if it is on a car?

Answer

On the AW4, the switch says: 1-2 ,3 , D, R, P . And at 42RE- 1 , 2 , D, R, P .

Igor (Senior)

In the VIN, the letter "P" is in the 10th position, the decoder determines the year 93, and 94 is written in the TCP. Please tell me who is more worth trusting ???

Answer 1

Model next year starts FROM SEPTEMBER of the current year. Those. cars produced from 09-93 will already be the 94th model by VIN. And, accordingly, released after 09-94 - according to VIN they will be 95th. The only exceptions are Grands of 92, which were produced from 06-92, but according to VIN they all went to 93.

Addition: It happens not from September, but from July. And even since June.

I've looked at a few cars...
It’s embarrassing that the TCPs were issued to replace the lost ones ...
Kidalovo???

Answer 1

Machine history needed necessarily check up to the very first PTS.
This can only be done through a familiar traffic cop and only in the MREO where the car is (was) registered, that is, according to the file cabinet. This is the only way to get to the bottom of the entire chain to the first registration and check its legitimacy based on the issued special products. The only way.
And since you (and very many other buyers) are trying to intuitively determine whether you like or dislike documents, it’s not necessary. There can be many reasons why a new TCP was issued.
At the same time, it must be clearly understood that since the beginning of 1998. the first TCP began to issue only customs. (Second, third, etc. traffic cops. This is understandable)
Until 1998, the PTS was issued by the traffic police, the customs database was not maintained. Rather, it was conducted, but there were no computers then, only paper archives scattered across the regions. If you start to check the customs base for a car imported before 98 and it is not in the database, don’t be too upset - this is normal.
After 98g - necessarily everything must be recorded in the bases of customs cleared transport.
How to properly check a car at customs - go through the search for the word "Customs Information".
_____________
Anzhey , August 16, 2005

It so happened that the production of the new flagship of the American company Jeep took place in 1992 - the very height of perestroika. It is unlikely that the auto manufacturers from the United States planned the extensive expansion of Russia, but soon this SUV began to be purchased by entire trains. Powerful trawlers, loaded with vehicles to the eyeballs, cruised the Atlantic overtime, not having time to fulfill orders. This is especially true in Pelevin's phrase, which served as an epigraph to this material, because the presence of a Grand Cherokee jeep emphasized the status of the owner and reflected the seriousness of his intentions. The new business model of the newly emerging state, as in a tribal community, was conditioned at all stages by fetishes and symbols, without which they were simply not accepted into the game. And when hordes of entrepreneurs were picking up coins from a “scoop” that burst like a ceramic piggy bank, overseas Jeep managers happily awarded their offspring the status of “The Best Off-Road Vehicle on the Planet”. So or is it? Let's try to figure it out...

Another ace up Iacocca's sleeve

When the dark veil was finally removed from the Grand Cherokee, and this happened on January 7, 1992 at the Detroit Auto Show, the public behaved as if a laxative had been slipped into their canapes. It was possible to understand the audience - the new jeep looked careless and boorish, but with a bit of disarming courage. Long, stubby, with a powerful square “jaw”, crowned with seven chrome bulkheads (which later became the hallmark of the model), the Grand Cherokee looked like a lean retired warrior, ready for anything. Manufacturers dared to use the UniFrame technology, rare for its time, by making a load-bearing body and integrating power elements into it. This brought the car's weight closer to two tons, but gave it exceptional stability on the road.

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And yet, before starting a detailed analysis of this example of "gangster etiquette", I propose to rewind the events a little back, to the year 1986, because. for the future "style icon" among SUVs, this was a fateful time. Then the fate of Jeep was decided, and the scales were not in favor of the brand. After all, the number of cars sold by Detroit manufacturers this year has declined. The invoice numbers were still impressive, but this result was achieved by fictitious discounts for consumers - in fact, sales of cars were four times lower than the triumphant beginning of the 1980s. And now the American auto market was like a punctured tire that manufacturers were frantically trying to pump up.

Compared to their Japanese counterparts, the Big Three cars looked outdated and of poor quality. The Chrysler concern, even after the successful presentation of the minivan, was still lagging behind its competitors, and the AMC holding, half bought out by Renault, was completely breathing its last. The production entrusted to Lee Iacocca, although it gained financial independence, still needed a strong partner. Chrysler's chief financial officer, Steve Miller, advised the president to expand the scope of services provided, causing the air to sparkle with the threat of an impending merger.

Among the suitable candidates for this role, Iacocca saw American Motors, but not the entire company as a whole, and the Jeep division is its main asset. Market research showed that American consumers generally responded positively to the products of this brand. In their brains with the name Jeep, associations with a military SUV that helped win the Second world war. A certain segment of the consumer class has upgraded their luxurious all-wheel drive Wagoneer Jeeps year after year. Simpler customers chose the Cherokee for its off-road patency, which is no worse than that of its military counterpart. And young people liked the Jeep-CJ7 model, although it turned over regularly, burying the driver and passengers under it. In short, in the 1980s in the United States, interest in off-road vehicles skyrocketed, so Iacocca decided that the acquisition of the Jeep brand would give him an advantage over other manufacturers in this segment.

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The main argument for the Chrysler president was that Jeeps, as a rule, were bought by a wealthy clientele. He knew that in the garages of Beverly Hills and Greenwich, Cherokees stood next to BMWs and Mercedes. Moreover, such an audience bought them in “full stuffing”, that is, with many expensive options (leather interior, fancy color, sophisticated stereo system, multifunctional electrical package). Chrysler needed those customers like air, so Lee grabbed the Jeep with both hands.

French parity

The board of Renault for 10 years of cooperation with AMS also managed to study all the strengths and weaknesses of this corporation. Initially, its shares were bought by the French in order to sell their own Encore and Alliance models in the USA, which were assembled in Canada. But the scheme didn't work as buyers complained about the poor design and poor reliability of these sedans. Therefore, Renault was happy to sell the AMC to Iacocca, but the whole thing. The implementation of only one Jeep could not cover all the costs of the French. Lee himself, of course, understood that getting a loss-making enterprise with 20,000 employees in addition to jeeps could do more harm than good.

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These negotiations were difficult and lasted more than a year. The cunning Iacocca could have waited until things got really bad for AMC and bought a Jeep on his own terms. But in this way he lost precious time, and the reputation of the brand could be damaged. In addition, one of his competitors would definitely cross his path. Therefore, the President of Chrysler ordered the French to keep everything a secret. And they followed the conspiracy - even Joe Cappie, the head of AMC, did not know anything about a possible merger. In November 1986, things took a tragic turn: Georges Bess, chairman of Renault, was assassinated by political extremists. Raymond Levy became the new head of the company, and he turned out to be even more opposed to selling the Jeep alone.

Iacocca was simply presented with a fact: either the AMC leaves completely, entirely, or does not leave at all.

Of course, owning the Jeep brand was tempting, but in addition to it, Chrysler received all the costs of American Motors. The concern had to take on the pensions of "foreign" employees, cover the company's debt obligations, the costs of maintaining factories, real estate, equipment - all this amounted to billions of dollars. A separate item of expenditure was also litigation regarding overturned CJ7s. In general, the process of merging with AMC returned Chrysler to the dismal state of the 1970s, when the concern was on the verge of bankruptcy.

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It was a deal with the devil. Chrysler's five vice presidents were divided, and not in favor of the merger, to which Iacocca calmly replied, "I'll still have the last word." And Lee would not be himself if he had not played this risky game to the end. So in March 1987, he announced that Chrysler had reached an agreement in principle to buy American Motors Company for $1.5 billion, including Renault's 46% stake. Along with the Jeep brand, Iacocca received a new assembly plant in Bramaley, control of a network of 1,400 AMC dealerships, and outdated assembly plants in Toledo, Ohio, and Kenosha, Wisconsin. Chrysler also pledged to cover the debts of American Motors in the amount of almost $ 800 million, and the final clause of the agreement obliged it to produce the Eagle Premier sedan with power units manufactured by Renault for several more years. In short, the price of prestige for Iacocca was prohibitive ...

Big Indian

The most implacable opponent of the merger with AMC was the concern's lead engineer, Hal Sperlich. For several years, he persuaded Iacocca to heavily finance own developments Chrysler. He even introduced him to a new platform for family sedans L/H, which was in the early stages of construction. But the president was deaf to his requests, believing that the machines of the K series had not yet exhausted their capabilities. But on the development of a new "opener" from Jeep, he forbade saving.

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The external rusticity of the Grand Cherokee paid off with a heaped up interior, which could compete with the premium class Mercedes in terms of comfort. Iacocca put this question at Chrysler at the forefront. Before sculpting the "Big Indian", the engineering department received a general directive: the new SUV must be comfortable! It was the lack of any significant comfort in domestic SUVs that made the Americans look again towards the Japanese SUV segment. Maybe they didn’t show such agility on the roads, but they didn’t turn the trip into an extraordinary visit to the proctologist’s office. Of course, spending a lot of money on the production of a new model was not in the style of Iacocca, especially after the disastrous costs of AMC, but otherwise the whole adventure with Jeep could fail. So the president of Chrysler forked out again - and did not lose.

At first, the range of Grand Cherokee engines consisted of only four units: the lower performance threshold was marked by a four-liter in-line “six” (180 hp), the upper one was a powerful (250 hp) “eight” with a volume of 5.9 liters. The choice was also offered a five-speed "mechanics" Aisin and several four-band "automatic". In rear-wheel drive SUVs, only dependent suspension was installed with continuous front and rear axles suspended on springs. But the list of options for the transmission in all-wheel drive versions was impressive: the Command-Trac system (hard-wired front axle), Selec-Trac (differential drive), Quadra-Trac (viscous coupling in the front axle drive) and so on.

Pictured on the left is a 3.6L Pentastar double overhead cam, 60-degree cylinder block angle six, equipped with multipoint fuel injection and intake and exhaust phase shifters. The engine is completely made of aluminum and complies with Euro-5 standards, although it consumes fuel with an octane rating of no higher than 92. The 3.0 TD V6 turbodiesel, pictured on the right, is made by the Italian company VM Motori. It has a cast-iron block, a chain drive for both camshafts, a multiport injection system with a rail operating pressure of 1,800 bar and a Garrett variable geometry turbocharger.

Of course, " excess weight"significantly affected the dynamics of the Grand Cherokee - high speed on a string of repetitive turns threatened to demolish the car into a ditch. Yes, and the imperfection of the suspension forced drivers to be extremely careful on the roads. The handling of the "Big Indian" was also not always up to par. But the Jeep could well crawl out of this very ditch on its own, without the help of a tow truck - and this was captivating. In addition, the Jeep flagship was produced exclusively in a five-door version, for which it was appreciated not only by Russian "businessmen", but also by their numerous "security guards", because, if necessary, up to seven fighters could be accommodated in the Grand Cherokee. And numerical advantage is not an extra factor in solving important “issues” in the world of perestroika. Very soon, the nickname “bomb carriers” (apparently, from the derivative “bomb”) was assigned to American jeeps.

From the big road

The release of the new Chrysler SUV was thoroughly approached: in addition to the plant in Detroit, facilities were used in the Argentine Cordoba and the Austrian site Steyr Daimler Puch (where the Jeep was produced with a diesel engine). The first generation Jeep Grand Cherokee lasted on the market until 1998. In total, about 1.5 million copies were sold.

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In July 1998, the "Big Indian" returned to the saddle again. The car was not just restyled - it was completely redrawn. Yes, the chassis design was the same (carrier body, solid axle beams on springs). But no more than a hundred parts were used from the first Grand Cherokee. Jeep designers retouched the look of the SUV, smoothing out all the corners and bumps, trying to give the car the image of a good boy. They would have succeeded if the steel core had not been laid in the character of the car from the very beginning. But the "Big Indian" and in its second generation managed to catch up with fear on the neighbors on the roadway. The latest engines allowed him to brazenly rip up asphalt and other surfaces, the best of which were a five-cylinder turbo engine with a volume of 2.7 liters (163 hp) from Mercedes-Benz, and a V8 PowerTech with a volume of 4.7 liters (238 hp).

An excellent innovation for the brand was the Quadra-Drive all-wheel drive transmission with a two-stage transfer case New Venture Gear and three self-locking differentials. Low-power modifications of this SUV were also available in rear-wheel drive and simplified all-wheel drive (Quadra-Trac) versions. The public, which has already fallen in love with the Grand Cherokee, appreciated all these innovations. So, in 1999, Jeep set a world sales record by selling 657,494 vehicles.