WeeklySA_AdminFIFTH GENERATION: The all-new Grand Cherokee has been punted as the most technologically advanced and 4×4-capable Jeep Grand Cherokee yet
By Ali Mphaki
At 80 years’ young the Jeep brand continues to climb to new heights with the introduction of the five-seater Grand Cherokee to South Africa alongside its ultra-luxurious seven-seater, long-wheelbase stablemate.
The new Grand Cherokee line-up consists of Limited, Overland, and Summit Reserve trims levels. Standard on all models is the all-aluminium 3.6-litre Pentastar V6.
Enthusiasts can look forward to more innovative features – with an all-new architecture, all-new exterior design, all-new interior with front passenger screen, independent front and rear suspensions and class-exclusive Quadra-Lift air suspension with electronic semi-active damping.
With more than 110 advanced safety and security features, including Active Driving Assist, plus 360-degree surround view and night vision cameras, all this and more conspire to make the newcomer more admirable.
On offer the all-new Grand Cherokee is a slim, sculpted exterior boasting a lowered, tapered roof, new active grille shutters, front wheel spats, air curtains, hood aero flick, lowered roof line and rear vertical-pillar spoilers.
A gloss black roof comes standard on Summit Reserve. It is where it matters most that the newcomer’s legendary off-road capabilities are exhibited, courtesy of the Quadra-Trac II 4×4 system.
The system features an active transfer case to improve traction by moving torque to work with the wheel with the most grip. The Selec-Terrain™ traction management system lets customers choose the on- or off-road setting for optimum 4×4 performance.
This feature electronically coordinates 4×4 torque split, braking and handling, steering and suspension systems, throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, traction control, stability control, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and steering feel.
The Selec-Terrain system offers five available terrain modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) to provide optimised calibrations for any given driving scenario.
New for the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4×4 is front axle disconnect. If the vehicle senses that road conditions do not require all-wheel drive, the front-axle disconnect automatically places the Grand Cherokee in two-wheel drive, reducing drag on the driveline and improving fuel economy. Four-wheel drive automatically re-engages when the vehicle senses it is needed.
For sound enthusiasts, they willl be pleased to know the Jeep brand is currently the only automotive manufacturer in the world to carry a McIntosh sound system featuring 19 custom-designed speakers.
Recommended Retail Price
Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 3.6L 4×4 8AT R1,329,900
Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 3.6L 4×4 8AT R1,539,900
Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 3.6L 4×4 8AT R1,735,900
All Jeep Grand Cherokee models include:
Maintenance Plan: 5-year/100 000km
Warranty: 5-year/100 000km
motoring:
Briefs
FORD HAS A BETTER IDEA
PRETORIA, South Africa – Ford’s major investment in its South African operations for the Next-Generation Ranger is delivering on its ambitious targets, achieving record production and the highest quality levels to date for the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria.
Reinforcing the segment-defining quality, technology, safety and performance of the locally produced Next-Gen Ranger, it was recently announced as the South African Car of the Year for 2023, becoming the first bakkie (pickup) to earn the coveted title since the competition began in 1986.
“The extensive modernisation and expansion of our local operations was focused on delivering must-have products of the highest quality to our customers in South Africa and more than 100 export markets around the world,” says Ockert Berry, VP Operations at Ford South Africa. “We are proud to be achieving all of our targets, and seeing demand for the Next-Gen Ranger exceeding all expectations, both locally and internationally.
MERC CLE REPLACES C AND E-CLASS COUPES
Mercedes-Benz is shrinking its coupe lineup, with its latest two-door effort, the 2024 CLE-class, replacing two recently discontinued models, the C-class and E-class coupes.
The CLE arrives with a classy, streamlined design, a pair of electrified powertrains, and a tech-focused interior that borrows from the C-class and E-class sedans. The CLE goes on sale in the U.S. in early 2024, with a cabriolet variant coming later. The styling mixes elements from the latest C- and E-class cars.
NYPD RECORDS MORE PURSUITS FOR 2023
Police chases might be entertaining in the movies, but they can be dangerous to people who get caught up in them. In New York City, a policy shift toward more aggressive tactics resulted in an increase in police vehicle pursuits of almost 600 percent in the first few months of 2023. Over in Los Angeles, about a quarter of the time when law enforcement vehicles give chase, someone dies or is injured. In Michigan, police pursuits have resulted in 60 deaths in the past five years.
According to The City, a New York City–based publication, John Chell—the new NYPD chief of patrol, who stepped into the role in December 2022—is behind the push for more enforcement, including more chases. Under Chell, the NYPD’s unofficial pursuit policy change resulted in more than 300 chases in the first three months of 2023, up nearly 600 percent from the first three months of 2022.-CAR AND DRIVER
FERRARI KC23 UNVEILED
Ferrari’s Special Projects division has unveiled its latest unique Prancing Horse – a futuristic, dual-configuration supercar for the “ultimate private customer”. The Ferrari KC23 is based on the Italian marque’s most successful racing car, the 488 GT3 Evo 2020, but is designed as a “non-competitive” car that can be either elegant show car or aggressive track car for the “very imaginative, passionate and exacting customer” who commissioned the vehicle.
For static displays, the KC23 features a sleek and clean look and sits on either 21-inch or 22-inch wheels. For private track use, the non-road-legal Ferrari can adopt a GT3-style rear wing for extra downforce and uses smaller, 18-inch wheels. The striking body also features moveable aerodynamic aids that open automatically when the KC23’s twin-turbo V8 is fired up.
PARK IT IN REVERSE
A CAR expert has revealed the reason why you should always reverse into a parking space – and it could save you a FORTUNE. Dan Ufer claims that it is ‘best practice’ to reverse into a car park bay, as those who back out are considered responsible for any accident that might occur, regardless of the circumstances.
The expert explained: “So in a shopping centre car park situation, if one vehicle is reversing out and one is driving out, and they collide in the middle, the reversing driver is always at fault. “And in situations where you are both reversing, what commonly happens is what’s referred to as in each bare own claims, which means one party pays for their loss and the other party pays for their loss, and the insurers don’t get involved at all. “So reduce your risk of being at fault and reverse park.” The Sun UK
