About nine months after unveiling the unprecedented seven-seat Grand Cherokee L, Jeep unveils the new Grand Cherokee , shorter and with five places.
Visually, the main difference between the Grand Cherokee and the seven-seat version we already knew about is precisely its size. Compared to the Grand Cherokee L, the variant just revealed is 294mm shorter (4910mm against 5204mm), and the wheelbase has shrunk by 126mm (2964mm).
However, the main novelty of the new Grand Cherokee that the Jeep plans to launch in 2022 is not its smaller dimensions, but the fact that it debuts in the North American SUV range a so-called plug-in hybrid version, as has already happened in other Jeeps , of 4x.
The Grand Cherokee 4x numbers
To “surrender” to the 4xe acronym, the Grand Cherokee adopted the same mechanics used by the Wrangler 4xe that we drove in Turin. As such, it “marries” a 2.0 l four-cylinder engine with two electric motors.
The first electric motor is connected to the combustion engine (replaces the alternator) and in addition to working together with it, it can also function as a high voltage generator.
The second electric motor is integrated in the eight-speed automatic transmission — where the torque converter is usually mounted — and it is this one that generates traction when in electric mode and recovers energy during braking.
Two clutches manage the power and torque of the two engines, combustion and electric. The first is mounted between the two engines and when the Grand Cherokee 4xe is in electric mode, it opens so that there is no physical connection between the two engines. When closed, the combined torque from the combustion engine and electric motor flows through the transmission.
The second clutch is mounted after the electric motor and its function is to manage the coupling with the transmission.
The end result is 381 hp of maximum combined power and a maximum combined torque of 637 Nm. Powering the electric motors we find a 400 V and 17 kWh battery that allows autonomy in 100% electric mode of up to 40 km. Consumption is set, according to Jeep, at just 4.1 l/100 km. As for driving modes, the Grand Cherokee 4x offers three: Hybrid, Electric and eSave.
goes (almost) everywhere
In addition to the plug-in hybrid engine, the Grand Cherokee also has two gasoline-only engines: a 3.6 l V6 with 297 hp and 352 Nm of torque and a 5.7 l V8 with 362 hp and 529 Nm.
Torque delivery to all four wheels is ensured by three 4×4 systems — Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II with self-locking electronic rear differential (eLSD) — all equipped with a transfer box.
The Trailhawk version further enhances off-road skills.
Still in the field of off-road skills, the Jeep Quadra-Lift air suspension with semi-active electronic damping offers a maximum height of 28.7 cm from the ground and 61 cm of ford passage.
For those looking for even greater all-terrain skills, the Grand Cherokee has the Trailhawk version, available with gasoline engines or plug-in hybrids. As usual, in addition to a specific decoration, it has 18” wheels with all-terrain tyres, the Selec-Speed Control system, among other extras dedicated to improving the off-road capability.
The Grand Cherokee has the Uconnect 5 system compatible with Apple CarPLay and Android Auto and can be equipped with up to three digital screens, one of 10.1'' and two of 10.25''.
Predictably, combustion engine-only versions (V6 and V8) will not be marketed in Europe. Only the 4x version will come to the “old continent”, with arrival scheduled for 2022, with no prices for the new North American SUV yet.