Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #330

Dan Roth — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, BMW, Chevrolet, Jaguar, Jeep, Lexus, Shanghai Motor Show, Diesel

Shanghai Motor Show, 2014 Jaguar F-Type, 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel

Episode #330 of the Autoblog Podcast is (finally!) here, and this week, Dan Roth, Zach Bowman and Executive Editor Chris Paukert talk about the Shanghai Motor Show, our time with the 2014 Jaguar F-Type and the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel. We also give extra attention to your questions and comments. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #330:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:

Hosts: Dan Roth, Zach Bowman, Chris Paukert

Runtime: 01:40:46

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Autoblog Podcast #330 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, SUV, Jeep, First Drives

Fun Thrown In The Face Of Conventional Wisdom

Let's talk asses for a moment. What do they have to do with the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, you ask?

Well, we're here to tell you that this SRT can haul some. Lots of them, as a matter of fact: Jeep has increased the towing capacity of its most powerful SUV to 7,200 pounds. Assuming the average donkey weighs about 400 pounds, the Grand Cherokee SRT can haul ass to the tune of 18 burros, give or take a covered trailer or so, which is significantly more than it could in previous years. In 2013, the machine could manage 5,000 pounds, while the first generation was rated at just 3,500. The increase is mostly attributable to a new eight-speed automatic transmission and beefier rear axle, and it's a welcome update for those who'd like to use their SUV as, well, an SUV with an emphasis on utility.

You'll be pleased to know that this isn't the only kind of ass hauling the 2014 Grand Cherokee SRT is capable - it can also accelerate really, really quickly - 0-60 in 4.8 seconds to go along with quarter mile times in the low 13-second range and a top speed of 160 miles per hour. That's extraordinary for a vehicle of this ilk - and the run to 60 matches that of the last-gen model despite an extra shift taking place due to the new gearbox. Passing performance is even more impressive, as evidenced by a 35-75 mph sprint that's almost four seconds quicker than it was last year, again, thanks to the extra three gears in the transmission. It goes without saying that the 470 horses grazing on premium unleaded and spitting out 465 pound-feet of torque are also responsible for these accelerative antics, along with the full-time four-wheel-drive system called Selec-Track, which provides more traction than the most stubborn mule in the animal kingdom.

We've been rather fond of previous versions of this menacing machine, and with a slew of meaningful enhancements on the menu for the 2014 model year, we took to the track at the brand-new and most excellent Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas at the invitation of Jeep to find out just how Grand the iconic Cherokee nameplate has become.

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel and SRT climb onto stage

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Performance, SUV, Jeep, Diesel, Off-Road

This is indeed a case of not knowing how much we wanted something until it arrived. We've been big fans of the Jeep Grand Cherokee ever since the new model arrived a couple of years ago, and while the update you see here might seem just a slight refresh, it's actually much more than that.

For starters, the 2014 Grand Cherokee marks the return of a diesel model here in the States, with Chrysler's new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 under the hood, churning out 240 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, all of the Grand Cherokee's usual off-road goodies are on hand, with moderate tweaks to make it an even more capable vehicle when the going gets rough. Both the gasoline-fed 3.6-liter V6 and 5.7-liter V8 get the new eight-speed auto, as well.

The high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT also trudges on into the new model year, with very subtle tweaks found underneath the aggressive, slightly redesigned sheetmetal. The 6.4-liter Hemi V8 also gets eight-speed gearing, which Chrysler says will improve not only 0-60 times, but mid-range performance as well. Bring it on, we say.

Inside, the 2014 Grand Cherokee gets a slightly redesigned cockpit, with a new three-spoke steering wheel incorporating paddle shifters, an electronic gear selector and Chrysler's award-winning 8.4-inch UConnect touch-screen infotainment system.

We like what we see, and if these changes only improve upon the Grand Cherokee that we've grown quite fond of, then we expect good things when the 2014 model goes on sale later this year. For the full smattering of info, check out our deep dive coverage.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel and SRT climb onto stage originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jan 2013 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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