Yes, folks, after a 15-year absence, Jeep is officially back! We’re at the Malaysian revival of the brand at its swanky new showroom in Glenmarie, where a total of four models and eight variants have been launched.
DRB-Hicom’s subsidiary EON, having been appointed the sole Jeep distributor in Malaysia by Chrysler last June, kicks things off with the Compass Limited, two variants of the Cherokee, two variants of the Grand Cherokee and three variants of the distinctive Wrangler.
We start with the range-topping model – the fourth-gen WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Measuring 4,828 mm long, 1,943 mm wide and 1,802 mm tall, with a 2,915 mm wheelbase, the five-seater sits on a platform derived from the third-gen W166 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, but no one would be the wiser with a striking, masculine body like that.
Available here in Overland and Limited trims, the SUV’s trademark high-set seven-vertical bar front grille is flanked by bi-xenon headlamps with LED DRL signatures. Quite a bit of chrome is to be found – encircling the fog lamps, lower intake and side glass area, as well as on the door handles and tailgate sill.
The vehicle at the event is the top-spec Overland; the lower-trim Limited has a slatted front grille instead of the Overland’s honeycomb item, and no front tow hooks.
Squared-off wheel arches lord over 20-inch five-spoke aluminium wheels wrapped in 265/50 series tyres (18-inch 10-spokers on the Limited), while roof rails, a tailgate spoiler and twin tailpipes round off the exterior elements. Open the power tailgate and you’re confronted with 990 litres of boot space; fold the 60:40-split back seats and you get 1,950 litres.
Interior features include leather seats (front seats are eight-way power adjustable), keyless entry and start, auto dual-zone air-con, auto lights with auto high-beam control, auto wipers and an 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen with navigation, voice command, MP3 and USB. You also get parking sensors front and rear, plus a reverse camera with grid lines.
Apart from being power tilt- and telescopically-adjustable, the steering wheel is trimmed in wood and leather (just leather on the Limited), and contains audio, cruise control and voice command switches. Steering is electro-hydraulic. Behind the wheel you’ll find shift paddles, and on the centre console is the Selec-Terrain dial, which offers five traction control settings.
The instrument panel contains a wide seven-inch display, and above your head is a dual-pane sunroof. Audiophiles rejoice, for Alpine Premium sound enters the cabin through nine speakers.
Under the bonnet, a 3.6 litre Pentastar VVT V6 sends 284 hp at 6,350 rpm and 347 Nm of torque at 4,300 rpm to all four wheels through a Quadra-Trac II full-time 4WD system and an eight-speed auto.
Thanks to a Quadra-Lift air suspension system (only on the Overland), the vehicle’s ground clearance can be raised up to 66 mm higher than the standard ride height, or lowered by 38.1 mm. Park, Aero, Normal Ride Height, Off-Road I and Off-Road II modes are selectable. The Limited makes do with more conventional front double wishbones and rear multi-links.
The safety arsenal comprises seven airbags (including driver’s knee), ESC, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Hill Start Assist and engine immobiliser. A total of nine body colours are offered, including Deep Cherry Red Crystal Pearl, Maximum Steel Metallic and Cashmere Pearl.
Fully-imported (CBU) from the US, the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland is priced at RM468,889, OTR without insurance (or RM481,401 with insurance). A lower-trim Cherokee Limited is also available at RM448,889. A five-year/150,000 km warranty is included.
- Source: paultan.org
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