The latest generation of Jeep’s Grand Cherokee is going to be sold exclusively as a plug-in hybrid, with an electric-only range of 31-miles being promised.
Besides a new exterior design and a reworked cabin, the big news is the Grand Cherokee’s plug-in hybrid system that mates a 2-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol with two electric motors that draw their power from a 17kWh battery. Combined, they produce 375bhp and 470lb ft of torque.
“The arrival of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe is a significant moment in the brand’s evolution and another piece in the jigsaw of the brand’s strategy to electrify the entire line-up,” the firm says.
The Grand Cherokee 4xe will debut in the UK with the ‘Summit Reserve’ and it promises “full-option specification, maximum comfort and safety”.
LED headlights, 21-inch polished alloy wheels – the largest ever fitted to a Grand Cherokee – a diamond black contrast roof and chrome detailing are exclusive to it while body colour choices include ’Diamond Black’, ‘Bright White’, ‘Velvet Red’, ‘Baltic Grey’, ‘Silver Zynith’ and ‘Midnight Sky’.
‘Summit Reserve’ models also come with Jeep’s ‘Quadra-Drive II 4×4’ system, ‘Quadra-Lift’ air suspension and ‘Selec-Terrain’ traction set-up that allows drivers to choose from five modes: ‘Auto’, ‘Snow’, ‘Sand/Mud, Rock’, and ‘Sport’.
Jeep is making big claims about the level of craftmanship on show on the inside where walnut accents is found on the doors and ‘Palmero’ leather is used for the seat upholstery.
Incorporating lumbar support, memory function and massage capability, the driver and front passenger chairs can be electrically adjusted into 16 positions. The rear seats are also heated and ventilated and rows one and two benefit from four zone climate control.
The Grand Cherokee’s dash is now heavily digitised; the instrument binnacle and multimedia touchscreen both measure 10-inches in size and the passenger’s interactive display 1025-inches. A digital rear view mirror also debuts alongside a new night vision camera.
There is also a 950-watt McIntosh sound system that boasts 19 speakers and a selection of customisable ambient lighting system with a choice of five colours.
The American SUV is now available to pre-order, with the first 20 UK customers who finalise their order of a Grand Cherokee 4xe Summit Reserve securing a place to an “exclusive experimental event” featuring the new vehicle.
As part of the pre-order offer, customers can also take advantage of a wallbox for home charging on top of four years of Jeep ‘Wave’ servicing and roadside assistance.
Prices have not been confirmed by Jeep, although the range is expected to kick-off around the £50,000 mark to keep it in line with the Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e and BMW X3 xDrive30e
