truth about domestics

Check out the first commercial for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  This SUV is quite impressive, I can’t wait to get a chance to drive one.  The interior craftsmanship is first rate, and the exterior design looks like an expensive suit; taut but still masculine.  I think the design will translate well into sales for struggling Chrysler.

According to the folks over at Car and Driver, Chrysler officials neither confirmed nor denied the possiblity of a high-performance, SRT8 version of the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  The new Grand Cherokee features a wide range of technology designed to make it more comfortable on and off road, such as an adaptive air suspension that can give an additional 2.1 inches of ground clearance or lower the vehicle to improve aerodynamics on the freeway.  The original Jeep SRT8 featured a 6.1L Hemi V8 that produced 420 horsepower and 420 pound feet of torque and was capable of 0-60 mph in under 5 seconds!  For more details, head on over to USAToday.com.

(Image source: Jeep)

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is probably the nicest looking vehicle to come out of Chrysler in years (partly because it’s the ONLY thing to come out of there in years.)  The new Jeep has a sharp looking exterior, a “best-in-class” interior, higher performing powertrains and also increased fuel economy.  However, that doesn’t mean the Jeep has lost its off-road cred, as you can see in the photos over at Autoblog.  The black and white 2011 Grand Cherokees in the photos were brought out to the Rubicon Trail to earn their “Trail Rated” badges by a team of Jeep engineers.  Hopefully the trucks made it through alright, as this vehicle needs to be a home run for the Pentastar.

(Image source: Autoblog)

The Jeep fans over at Jeep Garage have posted what looks like a breakdown of the new models, colors, options and packages that will be available on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  I have never been a huge fan of Jeeps in the past, but man does this SUV look sharp!  It will be loaded with technology to boot and is said to have a “Best-In-Class interior.”  That should go a long way towards changing Chrysler’s previous reputation for having some of the “Most-Plasticky-In-Class interiors.”  For the full scoop, head on over to JeepGarage.org.

(Image source: Jeep)

Jeep has stated that the Patriot and Compass will be killed off at the end of 2012 due to their slow sales success, but that will leave a gap in Jeep’s lineup.  The Grand Cherokee will fill the upper end, and another as-yet-unnamed CUV (possibly Liberty) will fill the middle and then a smaller CUV will be built on the Fiat Panda platform, wearing the signature seven-bar grill found on Jeeps today.  Only time will tell however, but for now, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Jeep)

Yahoo! Autos has decided to sit down and think up 3ish models from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler that could each (or more likely together) save that particular company.  One of the vehicles mentioned is the very attractive and high tech 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  While I agree with most of the list, you should check it out for yourself at Yahoo! Autos.

(Image source: Chrysler)

While the current Jeep Grand Cherokee is not a bad looking vehicle, its lackluster interior and poor fuel economy have made it a slow seller during the economic downturn.  That should all change when the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee hits the market sometime in 2010.  The vehicle features a much upgraded interior, a very sharp exterior design and the promise of better fuel economy and a competitive interior package.  Well, a new Jeep was recently spotted and the spy photos are up at Accelerating Perspectives.

(Image source: Accelerating Perspectives)

Some might see this list and say, “that’s why I refuse to buy American!”  However, when I look at this list created by Forbes, I see two things.  The first thing I see is that the article is totally biased in the fact that it fails to mention that 4 of the top 10 dirtiest vehicles are from German manufacturers.  The second thing I notice when looking at this list is that it appears that the Domestic 3 are learning.  Of the 6 American made vehicles on the list, 3 are out of production, another 1 is nearing its end and the other 2 are being substantially reworked to put them among the best in their class for fuel efficiency.  The list is below, along with the air pollution / greenhouse gas scores next to each vehicle.

1. Jeep Grand Cherokee (3/1)
2. BMW M5 (6/0)
3. BMW M6 (6/0)
4. Chevrolet Trailblazer (6/0)
5. Mercedes-Benz CL600
6. Mercedes-Benz S600
7. Chrysler Aspen (6/1)
8. Dodge Dakota (6/1)
9. Dodge Ram 1500 (6/1)
10. Dodge Durango (6/1)

The other small annoyance to me is the fact that the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango showed up on the list even though they are basically the same vehicle and received the same score.  I know it’s not good to have a vehicle fall on this list, but the American 3 are making a comeback in this area with vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Ford Fusion hybrid.  (Note: vehicles in red are out of production/nearing the end of production, vehicles in blue are up for significant updates.)

In the most recent presentations from top Chrysler management, a small piece of information was let slip.  Apparently the Ram brand is considering a replacement for the mid-size Dakota pickup which is slated to live on until 2011.  What’s even more shocking is that the truck could be built on a unibody platform, shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I think that this could be a smart move for the Ram brand, it would make the Dakota ride and handle better than the current body-on-frame truck and also give it better fuel economy to help with the new CAFE regs that will soon be taking effect.  For more on the story, head on over to Autoblog.

(Image source: Dodge)

If the rumors are true, then the renderings posted at Car and Driver could reveal the new Alfa Romeo SUV that’s planned to share a platform with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee.  It’s an interesting thought, and it would help leverage some of the costs for the Jeep program.  Well, here’s to hoping this new partnership works out for the best.  Stay tuned for more news!

(Image source: Car and Driver)