Autoblog

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee passes German "moose test"

Zach Bowman — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Safety, Chrysler, Jeep

Chrysler has released a press release detailing the findings of a recent 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee "moose test" by the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport. The publication ran the Grand Cherokee through conditions supposedly identical to those in a test conducted by the Swedish magazine Teknikens Varld, which saw the SUV nearly roll over after an abrupt lane change. After AMS loaded the Jeep with a varying number of passengers and the maximum amount of cargo, it said the vehicle remained stable with all four wheels on the ground during abrupt maneuvers.

As you may recall, Teknikens Varld produced a video showing the Grand Cherokee lift up onto two wheels during a simulated emergency lane change. Chrysler responded by saying the Jeep was intentionally overloaded and even sent a team of engineers to reproduce the test with the Swedish magazine. Take a look at the press release posted below for more information, including a translation of the text from Auto Motor und Sport.

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee passes German "moose test" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Jul 2012 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch a Jeep Grand Cherokee fail Sweden's Moose Test *UPDATE

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Safety, Videos, Chrysler, Jeep

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has proven to be a rock-solid off-road-capable SUV with a dose of civility on public roads. But while the top Jeep has a terrific reputation and a long list of accolades, at least one model apparently didn't have the chops for the Teknikens Moose (or Elk) test over in Sweden.

The moose test is a lighting-fast emergency lane change maneuver that takes place at a relatively staid 40 miles per hour. While most vehicles clear the obstacle with little fuss, the below video shows that a Grand Cherokee Overland got up on two wheels and very nearly rolled. Teknikens Värld tester Linus Pröjtz points out in the Overland model comes standard in Sweden with 20-inch wheels, rollover protection and electronic stability control.

The Swedish car magazine (translation: "World of Technology") goes on to call on Chrysler to put a stop sale on the Grand Cherokee in Sweden until this issue is addressed, and they claim Chrysler has yet to provide an explanation as to why the vehicle performed so poorly.

Here in the States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the Grand Cherokee four stars, including a five-star score for side impacts. However, in rating the SUV's rollover resistance, the GC only managed three stars in rear-wheel drive configuration, while four-wheel drive models netted four stars.

Scroll down to take in the press release from Teknikens, followed by the one-minute video that shows the GC Overland going all Dukes of Hazzard.

*UPDATE: Chrysler brand fan site Allpar has published an article that alleges that the rollover test was rigged, arguing the test was conducted in an intentionally overloaded vehicle. Further, it reports that the magazine conducted the test again - with Chrysler engineers standing by - in three different correctly loaded Grand Cherokees over eleven separate runs, but they were "unable to reproduce" the wheel lift condition.

**UPDATE: Chrysler confirms it is actively investigating the test and has just furnished Autoblog with an official response which you can read by scrolling down.

Continue reading Watch a Jeep Grand Cherokee fail Sweden's Moose Test *UPDATE

Watch a Jeep Grand Cherokee fail Sweden's Moose Test *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stealthy Jeep Grand Cherokee concept headed for production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style

Jeep is using the 2012 Houston Auto Show and 2012 Washington D.C. Auto Show to unveil a new production-intent concept. Based on the Grand Cherokee Laredo X model, what we have here is a mostly blacked-out version of Jeep's flagship product, with a few highlights in a finish Jeep calls Platinum Chrome.

Included in the blackout are the front grille (with Platinum Chrome mesh inserts), headlamp bezels and liftgate light bar. Platinum Chrome is also used on the lower front fascia. Unique to this model are 20-inch gloss black aluminum wheels in a split five-spoke design. This new Grand Cherokee concept will be shown in both Brilliant Black and Deep Cherry Red.

Curious why it's only known as the "Grand Cherokee Production-Intent Concept"? That's because there will be an online contest to help determine its official moniker. Will it be the Stealth, Noir, Dirty Dirty or the Back-in-Black edition? How about our personal favorite, the Grand Cherokee Emo Edition? That's for voters to decide. The winner "will have a chance to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee," says Jeep in the official press release after the break.

Continue reading Stealthy Jeep Grand Cherokee concept headed for production

Stealthy Jeep Grand Cherokee concept headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee base price plummets by over $3,000

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, SUV, Jeep

If you've just purchased a new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, you have our sincere congratulations, but you also might not want to read this post any further.

The 2012 Grand Cherokee, which goes on sale next month, will reportedly benefit from a $3,220 price decrease versus the 2011 model. This means that the base Laredo trim level with two-wheel drive will now carry an MSRP of $26,995. It also means that the resale value of your 2011 model has likely just taken a pretty severe whack.

Jeep introduced the all-new Grand Cherokee for the 2011 model year, and thus, only minor changes have been made for the 2012 model. The 5.7-liter V8 is now mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, rather than the aging five-speed, and models equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 will now come with electro-hydraulic power-assisted steering. These enhancements are good for very minor increases in fuel economy - likely no more than a single mpg here or there.

The folks at Kicking Tires point out that the lower base price may be a reflection of higher price points for option packages and the removal of once-standard equipment. For example, the 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo came standard with an eight-way power seat, whereas the 2012 model does not. What's more, the Laredo's leather seating package now costs a whopping $5,300 instead of $4,000.

Elsewhere in the Chrysler lineup, the 2012 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200 receive price decreases of $250, and the 2012 Dodge Journey costs a substantial $1,450 less than the 2011 model.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee base price plummets by over $3,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Off-Road

2011 Jeep Wrangler - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to The Toledo Blade, citing ordering guides sourced from Chrysler dealerships, the Jeep Wrangler will finally get the automaker's 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 for the 2012 model year. Since 2007, the Wrangler has been fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine (which replaced the venerable 4.0-liter inline six) that has met with less than stellar reviews. The new engine may have been a foregone conclusion, but it's a welcome one nonetheless.

Equally as important is news that the Jurassic-age four-speed automatic will be replaced with a five-speed unit. That's nice and all... but why go with a five-speeder when six (or more) is the current standard?

In any case, the report claims that the 2012 Wrangler's powertrain will be identical to the units in the 2011 Grand Cherokee. That means we should expect 290 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Those are much-needed improvements of the old 3.8, which offered up 202 horses and 237 lb-ft. Fuel mileage will reportedly improve to 16 city, 23 highway from 15/19.

In other Jeep news, Allpar.com reports that the 2012 Grand Cherokee will get a six-speed automatic to replace the five-speed unit in the 2011 model. (Guess we know where those older gearboxes are headed, eh?) In a further bid to improve fuel economy, the Pentastar-equipped Grand Cherokee will also be getting electrically driven power steering in place of the current hydraulic unit.

More Jeep Wrangler Pentastar rumors, five-speed auto promised originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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