La Thuile, Italy -The Jeep® Cherokee Red River Edition, with unique exterior features, is one of three new vehicles revealed to the public at Euro Camp Jeep 2003 in Northern Italy.

The limited-production Red River Edition features the grille, front and rear fascias and “bolted-on” wheel flares -- all finished in high-gloss graphite paint. Body-colour painted door mouldings complete the colour-keyed appearance. Complementing the unique exterior features are fog lamps and all-season tyres mounted on 16-inch, graphite painted, six-spoke cast aluminium wheels.

Inside, the Jeep Cherokee Red River Edition has well-tailored, supportive low-back front seats with a unique combination of flat woven cloth and leather. The right-hand seat includes a seat-back map pocket for added storage. The steering wheel is also wrapped in leather. Cruise control comes as standard.

In addition, unique optional Mopar equipment has been designed specifically to complement this vehicle, including graphite painted tubular side rock rails and tail lamp guards. A front brush guard is available outside Europe.

The 2003 Jeep Cherokee Red River Edition is offered with a choice of three powertrains: the 3.7 PowerTech™ V-6 petrol engine with automatic transmission, 2.5 common-rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine with manual transmission, or the new 2.8 CRD engine with automatic transmission. All Red River Edition vehicles are four-wheel drive.

The Jeep Cherokee Red River Edition is available in two exterior colors: Bright Silver Metallic or Black, with special Red River Edition badges on the driver and front passenger doors. The interior is Dark Slate colour.

The special edition takes its name from an historic town high in the Rocky Mountains, within the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in New Mexico, USA. Settlers formed the town of Red River in the late 1800s when gold was discovered in the region.

Now, surrounded by a 1.5-million acre national forest, Red River is known for its natural beauty and rugged outdoor activities. Still challenging visitors to master the tough environment, Red River is host to one of the most picturesque Jeep Jamboree events (weekend driving programs that offer American owners opportunities to explore the abilities of their vehicles).

Jeep Cherokee 2003 Models

As well as the Red River limited-production model, the full line-up of Jeep Cherokee 2003 models (including the rugged Cherokee Renegade model) features many improvements. For instance, a new powertrain option improves upon the range of engines and transmissions available on the Jeep Cherokee -- a Jeep vehicle that has captivated traditional Jeep fans and attracted a new generation of 4x4 vehicle buyers who value on-road refinement and off-road ruggedness.

The Cherokee is now equipped with a new 2.8 common-rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine mated, for the first time on a diesel-powered Cherokee, to a five-speed automatic transmission. The 2.8 CRD engine provides power and responsive acceleration with the ease of a smooth-shifting automatic transmission. The engine produces 110 kW (150 hp) of power and 360 Nm of torque and propels the Cherokee 2.8 CRD to among the best-in-class for acceleration and top speed.

The 545RFE five-speed automatic overdrive transmission, new to the Cherokee but also used in the Grand Cherokee, features driver-adaptive shifting that allows the transmission to learn a driving style and adapt the shift characteristics accordingly.

With this powertrain enhancement, Jeep Cherokee now offers customers a broad choice of four engines. The 2.8 CRD joins the existing three-strong line-up: 2.5 CRD engine, 3.7 V-6 PowerTech petrol engine, and 2.4 PowerTech petrol engine.

New exterior colors for 2003 models include Atlantic Blue Pearl for both Sport and Limited Edition models, Light Khaki Metallic for all models, and Bright Cactus Green on the Sport.

Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard equipment and give Jeep Cherokee better brake feel on-road, with decreased stopping distances, reduced brake fade and improved trailer tow ratings. Ratings go up from 2250 kg to 3500 kg on models with the 3.7 petrol and 2.8 CRD powertrains. The four-wheel disc brakes are self-cleaning, which is especially helpful when driving off-road.

New Interior and Safety Features

The Jeep Cherokee continues to delight customers with new interior features. A new overhead console, based on the Grand Cherokee design, includes a unique interface that allows customers to program the operation of nine convenience and safety items to their own requirements. Cherokee owners can now personalise features, including which doors unlock with the first press of the remote keyless entry unlock button, the distance desired between service intervals, and the amount of time the headlamps remain on after exiting the vehicle. A new cubby bin found in the dash features a rubber mat with a lip to keep sunglasses and mobile phones in place.

Drivers will also have a better view of the world with newly available electrochromic interior and driver’s side rearview mirrors that help reduce headlamp glare from following traffic. Standard sliding sunvisors keep the sun out of the driver’s eyes by providing added coverage of the glass.

Standard multi-stage driver and passenger front air bags are designed to deploy at different levels depending on the severity of the impact. Optional side curtain air bags offer additional protection for both front and rear outboard occupants. Jeep Cherokee also features a seat belt pretensioner in the driver’s position, and constant force retractors for both driver and front passenger.

Exclusive to Jeep vehicles, Cherokee’s “uniframe” chassis structure incorporates all of the strength and durability typical of a body-on-frame design into a unitised construction. Also, more than 70 per cent of Cherokee’s underbody is made of high-strength steel.

Innovative Suspension and Steering

In response to customer feedback, Jeep engineers reduced Cherokee’s steering effort for improved manoeuvrability and even more fun-to-drive characteristics. Cherokee is the first Jeep vehicle to offer rack and pinion steering, tuned to give the driver precise control and positive feedback on-road, with enhanced durability for off-road use.

Cherokee’s Jeep-engineered, coil spring independent front suspension combines with a link-coil rear suspension to provide exceptional on-road refinement, while maintaining its 200 mm of suspension travel and legendary off-road capability and durability.

Jeep Cherokee is built at the Toledo North Assembly Plant in Ohio, USA.

Jeep® Cherokee, 2003 Model -- Technical Specifications

Engine 3.7 Petrol
Description Six-cylinder PowerTech™ V-6, 90-degree V, liquid-cooled
Displacement 3701 cc
Bore and stroke 93 mm x 91 mm
Valve system Chain drive, SOHC, 12 valves, roller followers with
hydraulic lash adjustment
Compression ratio 9.1:1
Maximum power 155 kW (211 hp) @ 5200 rpm
Maximum torque 312 Nm @ 3800 rpm

Transmission Four-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 10.8 seconds
Top speed 180 km/h (112 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 14.0
Ex-urban cycle 11.0
Urban cycle 18.8
Combined CO2 333 g/km

Engine 2.8 Common Rail Turbo Diesel
Description PowerTech common-rail diesel, turbocharged I-4
Displacement 2755 cc
Bore and stroke 94 mm x 100 mm
Valve system Belt drive, DOHC, 16 valves, roller followers,
hydraulic lash adjustment
Compression ratio 17.5:1
Maximum power 110 kW (150 hp) @ 3800 rpm
Maximum torque 360 Nm @ 1800 - 2600 rpm

Transmission Five-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 12.6 seconds
Top speed 174 km/h (108 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 10.3
Ex-urban cycle 8.4
Urban cycle 11.7
Combined CO2 274 g/km

Engine 2.5 Common Rail Turbo Diesel
Description PowerTech common-rail diesel, turbocharged I-4
Displacement 2499 cc
Bore and stroke 92 mm x 94 mm
Valve system Belt drive, DOHC, 16 valves, roller followers,
hydraulic lash adjustment
Compression ratio 17.5:1
Maximum power 105 kW (143 hp) @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque 340 Nm @ 2000 - 2400 rpm

Transmission Five-speed manual
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 13.5 seconds
Top speed 164 km/h (102 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 9.0
Ex-urban cycle 7.5
Urban cycle 11.7
Combined CO2 250 g/km

Engine 2.4 Petrol
Description Four-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled PowerTech I-4
Displacement 2429 cc
Bore and stroke 88 mm x 101 mm
Valve system Belt drive, DOHC, 16 valves, stamped steel followers, hydraulic lash adjustment
Compression ratio 9.5:1
Maximum power 108 kW (147 hp) @ 5200 rpm
Maximum torque 215 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Transmission Five-speed manual
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 13.9 seconds
Top speed 174 km/h (108 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 11.0
Ex-urban cycle 8.8
Urban cycle 14.6
Combined CO2 260 g/km

Dimensions and Capacities
Wheelbase 2649 mm
Track, front 1524 mm
Track, rear 1518 mm
Overall length w/spare tyre 4496 mm
Overall width 1819 mm
Overall height (to roof rack) 1817 mm (1897 mm, Renegade model only)

Ground clearance
Front axle 157 mm
Rear axle 180 mm
Running 231 mm
Approach angle 36 degrees
Departure angle 31.5 degrees
Fuel tank capacity 70 litres

Above specifications are accurate for Europe only. Figures for other markets may vary.