Jeep Freshens Grand Cherokee for New York

For 2008, Jeep’s best-selling midsize model will be receiving a minor update. Both capableand luxurious, this five-seat luxury sport utility vehicle will debut at New York sporting changes that make it more powerful, refined and efficient.

It’s a mild facelift for the Grand Cherokee, with changes so minute even with the information, they’re hard to spot. Jeep has fitted a slightly larger version of its seven-slot grille and has also reshaped the headlamps to be rounder. The Limited and range-topping Overland model can be had with HID headlamps as well. The front bumper and fascia still features the same, chunky design, but Jeep has lowered the position of the fog lamps to make them more effective, and has made the lower air dam removable in order to prevent damage when traversing steep off-road trails during serious off-roading. Besides these minor changes, the exterior is as per the current truck.

Inside, the changes are equally minor, with a slightly refreshed look, new gauges, a new steering wheel, and most important, better qualitymaterials. The Overland model receives new Saddle perforated leather-trimmed buckets, and two-toned seating surfaces are featured on the Limited.

A growing number of SUVs and minivans feature rear-seat entertainment systems that feature built-in DVD players and RCA plug-ins for video game consoles. Jeep (and the rest of the Chrysler brand) is taking rear seat entertainment to a new level with the industry-exclusive Sirius Backseat TV, which shows real live television! With three stations aimed at children – Disney Channel, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon – it’s sure to please both parents and kids. Because Sirius TV and Sirius radio are different systems, those in front can listen to satellite radio while those in back can watch their programming through wireless IRheadphones.

Returning to the mechanical side of things, the Grand Cherokee offers a broad, and revitalized engine lineup. Depending on trim level, buyers can choose from five different engines, starting with a base 3.7-liter SOHC V6 (as found in the Liberty) and topping out with the all-powerful 6.1-liter HEMI V8 in the sports car embarrassing Grand Cherokee SRT8. The two engines Jeep is putting the biggest emphasis on, however, are the new common-rail 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 and the twin-spark 4.7-liter V8. Though available in limited numbers in the pre-facelift Grand Cherokee, this engine is still considered to be new for Jeep. It’s sourced from Mercedes-Benz, and is available on the Limited and Overland models. Meanwhile, the new V8 engine has been updated to include two spark plugs per cylinder and a redesigned cylinder head for improved combustion. It makes nearly 25-percent more power (291 hp), and 6-percent more torque (322 lb-ft), all while being smoother, more efficient, and E85 capable. It’s the same engine that debuted in the Dakota just a month ago at the Chicago International Auto Show. A 5.7-liter HEMI V8 will also be available.