2001 Jeep Cherokee

Trendsetting Jeep Cherokee gets bold new face and tech

The vehicle that started the SUV craze, the boxy and hugely successful Jeep Cherokee, has been superceded by a brand new, high-tech and more rounded model, the KJ-series Cherokee. It is a better vehicle in just about every respect.

With the introduction of the all-new Jeep Cherokee, the Jeep brand once again pushes the forefront of engineering and design by delivering a unique combination of ruggedness, capability and exceptional on-road refinement.

The new Cherokee is the first all-new Jeep since the launch of the Grand Cherokee in 1999, and it joins an already formidable line-up as the newest member of the legendary brand that has led all 4x4 vehicles during its 60-year history. It has been created to expand the strength of the Jeep line-up and to broaden the brand’s global appeal. Not only for traditional Jeep owners, the Cherokee should also appeal to a new generation of 4x4 buyers who seek a combination of on-road refinement and off-road ruggedness.

According to the Chrysler-Jeep division of DaimlerChrysler South Africa, the all-new Cherokee stands alone because it combines the legendary Jeep capability that customers have come to expect with superior on-road refinement.

The trademark seven-slot grille and round headlamps have been incorporated into the design of the new Cherokee, bringing a modern look for the trademark Jeep face. The latest model has short front and rear overhangs for excellent off-road capability, and its upright profile allows efficient space utilisation and command-of-the-road seating.

For quick and easy access to the cargo area, the Cherokee features a patented single-action swing gate/flipper glass system. A unique pull-type latch mechanism makes the opening of the flipper glass window and swing gate an intuitive, one-motion operation, versus competitors’ multiple steps. Pulling the release handle performs both operations, as the latch includes a detent to separate the functions. Pressing the cargo door button on the keyless entry transmitter or turning the key in the swing gate lock also opens the flipper glass window.

Buyers have a choice of numerous new engines. An all-new 2,5-litre DOHC direct injection common rail turbo diesel engine, providing best-in-class power and torque, has been introduced specifically for international markets. This engine has a cast-iron cylinder block and a one-piece aluminium cylinder head with 16 valves and provides 24 percent more power than the engine it replaces (105 kW at 4 000 r/min) and 17 percent more torque (343 Nm at 2 000 r/min). For improved performance and fuel efficiency, this engine features belt driven dual overhead camshafts, state-of-the-art direct fuel injection and counter rotating balancer shafts.

This engine is mated to a smooth shifting NV3550 five-speed manual transmission and the rugged Jeep Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system.

According to Chrysler, the 2,5-litre engine provides a fuel economy of 7,5 litres/100 km on the extra urban cycle, 11,7 litres/100 km during city driving, and 9,0 litres/100 km on the combined cycle.

Petrol power in the new Cherokee is from an all-new 3,7-litre V6 PowerTech engine, similar in architecture to the highly acclaimed 4,7-litre V8 engine powering the award-winning Grand Cherokee. Output is rated at 155 kW at 5 200 rpm and 312 Nm of torque at 3 800 rpm.

This engine features a 90-degree even-firing V6, a cast iron block, compacted graphite bedplate, aluminium cylinder heads and a balancer shaft. The 3,7-litre Cherokee is also equipped with the Jeep 45RFE multi-speed electronic automatic transmission and the full-time NV242 Selec-Trac transfer case on the Limited model.

A third Cherokee will come with a four cylinder 2,4-litre petrol engine.

The all-round driving experience of the new Cherokee is attributed to an all-new Jeep-engineered, coil spring independent front suspension. It combines excellent overall ride, handling and precise steering control with Rubicon-tested capabilities. The generous 20 cm suspension travel on the new Jeep Cherokee ensures hallmark Jeep off-road performance. Sturdy, cast iron lower and forged steel upper control arms coupled to a cast iron steering knuckle with permanently lubricated ball joints provide a stable base for the front suspension.

 A link-coil rear suspension, also similar to that on the Grand Cherokee, provides a smooth, comfortable ride, and has an advantage over leaf springs because coil springs have less static and dynamic friction. With a roll centre closer to the vehicle’s centre of gravity, this system reduces body lean during cornering. The trailing A-shaped upper arm’s sturdy, box section construction, tuned to provide extremely high stiffness, helps isolate axle and road noise. The A-arm attaches to the axle through a single, lubricated-for-life ball joint atop of the rear axle differential housing. Box section lower control arms provide exceptional durability, and progressive rate springs provide a consistently comfortable ride that helps maintain controlled handling under varying load conditions.

 This Jeep-engineered suspension, marketed as “IS43,” represents the independent front suspension, solid axle rear, four links in front and three links in rear.

 All Cherokee models are luxuriously equipped and have all the safety features regarded as essential fare these days. Leather upholstery, CD-sound and powered everything goes without saying, as does ABS with EBD and dual front and side windowbags as part of the safety package.

 Warranty is 3 years/60 000 km, with service intervals every 12 000 km.