 set to boost Jeep Cherokee appeal |
set to boost Jeep Cherokee appeal |
 2005 Jeep Cherokee Limited |
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1st December, 2004 Jeep has strengthened its popular Cherokee line-up for 2005 introducing a powerful new variable geometry turbo 2.8-litre diesel engine, a rugged Cherokee Renegade model and a new six-speed manual transmission for the 2.4-litre engine available on the Sport model. The new Cherokee line-up also boasts a host of exterior, interior and technical improvements to stand it even further apart from the competition. In addition to these enhancements, the Cherokee has become more accessible with prices for the new range being realigned and a new starting recommended retail price of $34,990 for the entry level 2.4-litre petrol model. “True to its Jeep heritage, the Cherokee continues to give customers a sense of personal capability and freedom by offering the best four-wheel-drive line-up in the segment,” said Gerry Jenkins, managing director, Chrysler Jeep Australia. “The Cherokee is a unique vehicle delivering both the on-road refinement required by the mid-sized four-wheel-drive market and the off-road capability for which the Jeep brand is renowned." “The fresh exterior, enhanced interior and improved powertrains add significant value and appeal to the 2005 model and with its realigned prices the Cherokee represents superb value,” said Jenkins. Powerful engines with plentiful “low-end” torque and wide power bands are Jeep brand hallmarks, and both Jeep Cherokee and Cherokee Renegade come with a choice of power units that exemplify this philosophy. Two engines are currently available to buyers of the new Cherokee and Cherokee Renegade models, with this to increase to three when the new diesel engine arrives early in 2005. Leading the range will be the new 2.8-litre common-rail diesel (CRD) engine. With its variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and rapid throttle response the new 2.8-litre common-rail diesel (CRD) engine minimises turbo lag and delivers nine percent more power (120 kW at 3,800 rpm) and 11 percent more torque (400 Nm at 1,800 rpm) compared to the outgoing 2.8-litre engine. With many noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) improvements the engine also delivers smoother and more refined performance. “Our new diesel engine provides the torque of a V8, the performance of a V6 and the fuel economy of a four cylinder,” said Craig Love, Vice President of Rear-wheel Drive Product Team. “We always say Jeep is the go-anywhere, do-anything brand, and these features give our owners even more capability to do just that.” The choice of a newly improved 3.7-litre V6 petrol power unit or a four-cylinder 2.4-litre petrol unit complete the three-engine range for Jeep Cherokee. Performance on both engines has also been improved with reduced fuel consumption and NVH levels. The introduction of a new German made, six-speed manual transmission for the 2.4-litre petrol engine improves gear-change quality and provides quicker take-off and brisker initial acceleration on the entry level powertrain. A choice of the 3.7-litre V6 or, when it arrives, the 2.8-litre VGT CRD units are offered to Jeep Cherokee Limited and Renegade customers, while buyers of the Cherokee Sport are offered a third unit as standard – the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol – with the 3.7-litre V6 and 2.8-litre VGT CRD as options. The combination of engines with enhanced fuel economy, together with a five percent larger (77.6-litre) fuel tank, gives increased range for all Jeep Cherokee models. The 2005 Jeep Cherokee is given a freshened exterior design with new front fascia, grille, fog lamps, fender flares, bodyside mouldings and new standard roof-rack rails and wheels. Styled to highlight its on- and off-road suitability, the Jeep Cherokee Sport comes with a painted body-colour front grille and a front bumper with “twin-tube” appearance for a customised accessory look. The Cherokee Limited has a more up market treatment with chrome grille, body-colour painted fascias and wheel arches and alloy wheels. Both the bodyside moulding and the roof-rack rails are chrome finished. The restyled and repackaged Jeep Cherokee Renegade becomes the image leader for Cherokee and features a more rugged, classic Jeep appearance. The new Cherokee Renegade offers a distinct exterior when compared to the Sport and Limited models and will appeal to a slightly different buyer with its more rugged design. Jeep Cherokee Renegade features a new flatter bonnet and taller grille, plus off-road fog lamps, “bolted-on” wheel arches and distinctive wheels. Visual enhancements that further distinguish the Renegade include roof-rack rails, functional side rock rails and skid plate appliqué below the front bumper, all painted a bright silver. All Jeep Cherokee models have a wider, more stable appearance thanks to completely re-designed front grille, front fascia and corner fenders that follow the sweeping line of the wheel arches and mount the park/turn lamps in a higher location for better protection. This also results in a broader look, which retains its famous Jeep seven-slot grille, and now has room to accommodate a fog lamp below each headlamp. In addition, all models have new, more protruding side sills and a crisper bodyside moulding. Two new pearl-coat exterior colours, dark khaki and deep beryl green, are available on all models. New 16-inch “Icon” painted five-spoke alloys are standard on Renegade models. Standard on Limited models are 16-inch “Mechanica” five-spoke machined-face alloy wheels, while new, 17-inch wheels will be optional for Limited models, available at a later stage. All 2005 Jeep Cherokee models feature interior changes to complement the freshened exterior and to enhance customers comfort, practicality and appearance. They have new larger front seats for improved comfort, new rear seats which can be folded flatter for increased utility and improved cargo storage and easier-to-use controls with improved ergonomics, including cruise control as standard across the line-up. The centre stack bezel and gear selector bezel are finished in silver mini carbon (Renegade) and satin silver (Limited and Sport). The Cherokee Limited and Cherokee Renegade models also come with a six stacker CD player with steering wheel mounted audio controls. Two new interior colours, medium slate gray and khaki, are available on all models, while Limited can also be ordered in dark khaki/light greystone leather or slate grey/light slate grey leather. On-road refinement is assisted by new seats that are improved through the use of dual-density foam. In addition to being more comfortable and providing improved lumbar support, the seats have a more contemporary look with new contours, sew styles and fabrics. Front seats have cushions which are 5 mm longer and seat inserts that are 10 mm wider to accommodate larger occupants. The backrest is wider at shoulder height to ensure occupants do not feel “squeezed.” Alterations to the profile of both the rear cushion and backrest have reduced the rear seat-fold angle, providing a flatter load floor for increased utility and improved cargo storage. The backrest and cushion split one-third/two-thirds when folded. When all seats are in use, an optional cargo organiser can be fitted in four different positions to accommodate and locate a wide variety of loads. New instrument cluster graphics – white letters on a grey background – provide greater visibility at twilight and dusk and give a more refined look. Chromed bezels distinguish the Renegade and Limited models from the Sport. Mounted on the centre stack, new heating/ventilation/air conditioning controls retain three rotary dials, but have separate AC and heated rear window select buttons, for added flexibility to meet occupant preference. The power window switches have been relocated forward to a near-horizontal placement just behind the gear selector – greatly improving ergonomics and ease of operation. A higher level of safety features was introduced for the Jeep Cherokee in 2004, and this comprehensive passive safety package is carried over to the new models. Multi-stage driver and front passenger air bags plus side curtain air bags are standard on all models. The entry level 2.4-litre petrol model is now priced from $34,990, a $500 reduction on the 2004 model. The starting recommended retail price for the refreshed 3.7-litre petrol engine moves down to $39,990 representing a $1,500 saving over the previous entry mark. And most impressive of all the 2.8-litre diesel engine will have a starting recommended retail price of $42,590 when it arrives - a $2,900 reduction compared to the previous entry mark. 2005 model year Jeep Cherokee suggested retail pricing
Price includes Jeeps 3-year/100,000km warranty and 24hour Jeep Assist (roadside assistance) for the duration of the warranty. Since the introduction of the all-new Jeep Cherokee mid-sized four-wheel-drive in 2002, its excellent balance of on-road refinement and off-road ruggedness and capabilities have continued to push the range to become one of the brand’s best-sellers around the globe. The Jeep Cherokee continues to prove popular in Australia in 2004 with October year-to-date sales up 18 percent over 2003. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Jeep® Cherokee and Cherokee Renegade Body and Chassis Engines 3.7-litre PowerTech™
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