They are here! Jeep, the iconic SUV maker finally made their official entry into the Indian market at the Auto Expo. In tandem with their 75th anniversary celebration, FCA plans to begin sales by the second half of 2016. Initially planned to be brought via the CBU route the Jeep brand will launch three SUVs – Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT.
Jeep plans to sell the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee with both petrol and diesel engines via a network of dealers in key metro cities. Let us quickly look at all the three SUVs..
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Grand Cherokee :
Set to be offered in two variants, Grand Cherokee Limited and Grand Cherokee Summit, both the versions get bi-xenon head lamps with daytime running headlamps, LED tail lights and aerodynamic spoiler at the rear. While the Limited trim gets 18 inch alloy wheels, the Summit gets larger 20 inchers!
Both the trims get a 3.0 litre CRD Turbo V6 diesel mill producing 240 hp of power and massive 570 Nm of torque and comes mated with an 8 speed automatic transmission. The Grand Cherokee Limited gets Quadra Trac 2 while the Summit trim boasts of Quadra Drive 2 traction control. Safety features include advanced multistage driver and front passenger airbags and supplemental side-curtain airbags. It also gets ESC, electronic roll mitigation, ABS, brake assist, all-speed traction control and trailer sway control.
The infotainment system includes an 8.4 inch touchscreen setup with navigation and a rear DVD entertainment system.
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Grand Cherokee SRT:
With a wide footprint and blackened out front end, the Grand Cherokee SRT gets a glossy black treatment to the front grille and lower mouth. The SUV is wider and longer than the standard version but is slightly shorter to bring in a sporty touch. The ride height too has been lowered with stiffer springs. It also gets anti-roll bars and 20 inch Goliath polished aluminium alloy wheels.
Interiors include Laguna leather upholstery, 19 speaker Harman Kordon sound system and a leather wrapped steering wheel with SRT logo embossed on paddle shifters. The engine is a massive 6.4 litre Hemi V8 petrol mill producing 470 hp of maximum power and 624 Nm of peak torque.
It gets a Quadra Trac Active on Demand 4WD system. It boasts of a top speed of 258 kmph and thanks to its Brembo high performance brake system it can stop the car from speeds of 96 kmph to a stand-still in 116 feet!
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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited:
This one gets removable top and doors to convert it to an open air 4×4. The classic looking Jeep gets washable interiors, lockable storage space, leather wrapped steering wheel with controls for touch screen infotainment and navigation system. Apart from Command Trac Shift on the Fly 4WD it also gets an Alpine Premium audio system.
Powering the Wrangler Unlimited is a 2.8 litre CRD turbocharged diesel DOHC I-4 engine mated with a 5 speed automatic transmission. Power figures in India have not been revealed but internationally it produces 177 hp of peak power and 400 Nm of maximum torque.
To take on the tough trails it also gets hill start assist, electronic roll mitigation and a low crawl ratio for the 4×4 system. It also gets ESC, brake assist system, four wheel discs, ABS and a 2.5 mm skid plate around the fuel tank for secure off-roading.
Complete coverage of Auto Expo 2016
With the Jeep entering India, things in the premium SUV space will heat up but a lot will depend on what prices these SUVs will come at.
Patiently waiting for the second half of 2016 – would love to check what JEEP has got in its store!