New Jeep Cherokee makes European debut

The new Jeep Cherokee has been launched at the Geneva Motor Show. The American SUV gets a complete redesign, with interesting new styling, a new range of efficient engines, more gears with the option of a nine-speed automatic gearbox and a much higher quality interior.

The design of the new Jeep is dominated by the 'waterfall' bonnet, with a large grille and compact LED daytime running lights. The all-new body also gets trapezoidal wheel arches and LED tail lights. The interior has been improved with soft touch materials and a vinyl-wrapped and stitched instrument panel. Jeep tell us it has improved the interior to reflect its upmarket appeal and the seats will be ergonomically designed to support the contours of the body.

There will be two trim levels on offer - Longitude and Limited – with the entry level model getting cloth seats. Limited editions upgrade the interior with Nappa leather, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel and wireless charging pad for a mobile phone.

Jeep has spent considerable time re-engineering its SUV and the new Cherokee will be available in two or four-wheel drive, with the latter featuring rear-axle disconnect, resulting in improved efficiency by switching to two-wheel drive when 4x4 capability isn’t needed.

Four-wheel drive Cherokees will be offered with two 4x4 systems, with varying degrees of performance. For those who are not interested in the technical tinkering of the car’s drive, there will be Jeep Active Drive I - a fully automatic system that doesn’t need any intervention or feedback.

However, for those who like to tailor their car for off-roading, Limited models will also be offered with Jeep Active Drive II that will get a two speed power transfer unit, which includes torque management and low range gears to locks the front and rear drive shafts for low speed power or towing.

All four-wheel drive models feature Jeep’s Selec-Terrain traction control system with four driving modes - Auto, Snow, Sport and Sand/Mud. The system electronically coordinates and optimises the car’s ABS, ESC and powertrain controller to ensure complete stability.

The engine line up consists of a 2.0-litre MultiJet II diesel delivering 170PS, mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. There will also be a 140PS version of the 2.0 unit, which will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox.

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