All-new Engine, Refreshed Interior and Exterior and More Premium Amenities for 2008 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee
04 Avril 2007 - 10:35PM
PR Newswire (US)
NEW YORK, April 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- * All-new 4.7-liter V-8
engine delivers increased horsepower and torque, improved fuel
economy * Refreshed exterior and interior design stays true to its
authentic Jeep(R) character with signature seven-slot grille,
trapezoidal wheel openings and attention to rich details and
craftsmanship * Jeep Grand Cherokee is available with all-new
SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM) * Even more innovative, premium amenities
are available, including MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment System,
HID auto-leveling headlamps and heated first- and second-row seats
The Jeep(R) brand unveiled today the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee that
features an all-new 4.7-liter V-8 engine that delivers a 30 percent
increase in horsepower, a 10 percent increase in torque and
improved fuel economy compared with the engine it replaces. The
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee also offers a refreshed interior and
exterior design and a host of innovative premium amenities,
including one not found on other full-size sport-utility vehicles
(SUV) on the road today - SIRIUS Backseat TV(TM). The vehicle will
arrive at Jeep dealerships starting this fall. "With a choice of
five engines, three four-wheel-drive systems and more premium
amenities than ever before, the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee sets the
benchmark for full-size SUVs just as it did when it debuted in
1992," said John Plecha, Director -- Jeep Brand Marketing and
Global Communications. "Now available with SIRIUS Backseat TV, the
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee just made road trips or short trips with
kids even more enjoyable." Only Full-Size SUV with Five Engine
Offerings The 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the only vehicle with a
choice of five engine offerings: * Award-winning 3.0-liter common
rail diesel V-6 engine -- Now available on Jeep Grand Cherokee
Limited and Overland * 3.7-liter V-6 engine -- Standard on Jeep
Grand Cherokee Laredo * All-new 4.7-liter V-8 engine -- Standard on
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited * 5.7-liter V-8 HEMI(R) engine --
Available on Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, standard on Overland *
6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine -- Standard on Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
All-new for 2008 is the 4.7-liter V-8 engine that offers better
fuel economy, power and torque than the previous 4.7-liter engine,
while at the same time delivering improvements in refinement. The
new 4.7-liter V-8 incorporates two spark plugs per cylinder (the
only Chrysler Group engine to do so, other than the 5.7-liter
HEMI), increased compression ratio, improved cylinder-head port
flow and a new combustion system. The result is 305 horsepower
(227kW), a 30 percent increase, and 334 lb.-ft. of torque (453
N*m), a 10 percent increase over the previous 4.7-liter V-8 engine.
And, like the engine it replaces, the new 4.7-liter V-8 engine is
flex-fuel capable, which gives customers the ability to use up to
an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E85) to fuel their
vehicles. Improvements in the new 4.7-liter V-8 result from
significant revisions to the induction system, a lightweight
piston/rod assembly and reduced accessory drive noise through lower
accessory drive speed. Engine smoothness at idle is enhanced with a
new cam design, two spark plugs per cylinder and a valve-lash
adjuster system. The new 4.7-liter V-8 also is equipped with
electronic throttle control. First to Offer All-new SIRIUS Backseat
TV The Chrysler Group will be the first and only auto manufacturer
to offer SIRIUS Backseat TV in its 2008 model year vehicle lineup,
including the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee. SIRIUS Backseat TV features
three channels of respected children's TV featuring many of the
most well-known kids' programming, including Nickelodeon, Disney
Channel and Cartoon Network. Rear-seat passengers will be able to
watch shows such as Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants," Disney
Channel's "Hannah Montana" and Cartoon Network's "Foster's Home for
Imaginary Friends." SIRIUS Backseat TV operates via an in-vehicle
satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas.
Programming is displayed on the vehicle's second-row (except
minivan: second- and/or third-row) video screen, and channel name,
program title and rating will be broadcast and displayed on the
screen. For added flexibility, rear-seat passengers can enjoy
SIRIUS Backseat TV while front-seat occupants listen to SIRIUS
Satellite Radio. The system can be operated from either the
rear-seat entertainment unit or the radio head unit. In addition,
when the vehicle is in park, programming can be displayed on the
MyGIG screen for front-seat viewing. Innovative Premium Amenities
Along with SIRIUS Backseat TV, the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
includes a variety of premium amenities that are new for 2008,
including the new MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment System that has
a built-in navigation, audio, entertainment and communication
system. MyGIG enables customers to use touch-screen or voice
commands to control all of the features, and includes a 20-gigabyte
hard drive where music and photos can be stored. There's space
reserved on the hard drive for approximately 1,600 songs; that's
over 100 hours of music. There also is a voice-memo recorder
feature. MyGIG supports real-time traffic information, available
through SIRIUS Satellite Radio, and can provide an alternate drive
route based on current traffic. Also new on the 2008 Jeep Grand
Cherokee are high-intensity discharge (HID) auto-leveling
headlamps. HID auto-leveling headlamps provide approximately three
times the light output of conventional reflector lamps for improved
nighttime illumination. The auto-leveling feature automatically
adjusts the headlamps to the vehicle pitch depending on the load
and number of passengers in the vehicle. This feature also benefits
oncoming traffic as the system prevents drivers from being
distracted by glare from the headlamps. The auto-leveling feature
is only available with HID headlamps. ParkView(TM) Rear Back-up
Camera (with or without navigation), ParkSense(R) Rear Back-up
System, SmartBeam(R) headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, memory seats
and mirrors, iPod connectivity and 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum
wheels also are part of the vehicle's available features and
options. The Jeep Grand Cherokee also features three new safety and
security technologies for 2008: Hill Descent Control, Hill Start
Assist and Trailer Sway Control. Hill Descent Control (HDC) is
standard on Grand Cherokee 4x4 models. Operational in the "4WD Low"
position, HDC provides downhill assistance at a controlled rate of
speed. By means of electronic brake control, HDC supplements the
gear reduction and engine braking that a traditional mechanical
low-range transfer case provides. For ease of operation, Grand
Cherokee's HDC is activated and deactivated automatically, after
the HDC button is engaged, as the system senses changes in
topography. The system works whether the vehicle is in forward or
reverse. The available Hill Start Assist (HSA) allows the driver
time to transition from brake to throttle to achieve a smooth
launch on a grade. The system will hold brake pressure for two
seconds upon the driver's release of the brake pedal. The ABS
system decreases wheel pressure in response to increasing throttle
to provide a smooth launch. Trailer Sway Control is optional on all
Grand Cherokee models. This system reduces trailer sway and
provides improved trailer stability and increased towing safety.
Refreshed Exterior and Interior With its upright and substantial
posture, the Jeep Grand Cherokee's design offers an athletic and
contemporary appearance. The grille has been lengthened, and the
headlamps are more circular for a more dominant and expressive
front view. A new HID headlamp, optional on Limited and standard on
Overland, includes an internal optic lens for the park/turn
function. Fog lamps also have also been lowered for enhanced
performance. Off-road enthusiasts will be pleased with the new
two-piece front fascia, allowing for the entire lower piece to be
removed before hitting the off-road trails. On the inside, the
vehicle's two-tone instrument panel features a new level of
refinement with bright accents, a soft-touch surface and updated
styling. A new tilt and telescoping steering column is standard,
with a new steering wheel that includes bright accent bezels, which
house the electronic vehicle information center's switches. The
Limited model's steering wheel adds two-tone leather and bright
chrome accent rings, and the Overland features a real wood rim for
added luxury. Also new is the updated line of instrument clusters
that feature new brighter LED illumination, with the Limited and
Overland models receiving a modern and elegant treatment where,
when the vehicle is started, the dark-tinted lens fades to reveal
chrome-ringed black gauges that are surrounded by a bright silver
accent field. The new floor console has improved cup holders and a
new leather-wrapped and chrome-accented parking brake handle. The
door panels have new armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort.
New for the Overland model are the new saddle perforated leather
seats that feature accent piping for an even more upscale look.
Jeep Brand The Jeep brand has seven models in the 2007 model year,
the most available to retail consumers at one time in its
65-year-plus history. The expansion of the Jeep brand has taken
place in just two years. At the start of 2004, the brand's trio of
tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand
Cherokee, Jeep Liberty (Cherokee outside North America) and the
icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler. In 2005, the Jeep Commander
was introduced. In 2006, the redesigned Jeep Wrangler was unveiled.
Also debuting in 2006 were three more all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep
Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Dianna Gutierrez,
+1-248-512-2921, or , or Rick Deneau, +1-248-512-2694, or , both of
Chrysler Group Web site: http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/
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