Auburn Hills, MI -The latest Jeep® Grand Cherokee, with a new appearance that accentuates the vehicle’s distinctive design and 4x4 leadership, is introduced to Jeep owners and enthusiasts at Euro Camp Jeep 2003 in Northern Italy.

Now available in Europe, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee features a fresh look with a new front fascia, grille and round fog lamps for all models.

The more upright grille bars enhance the trademark seven-slotted grille design, and the sculpted front fascia holds round fog lamps that invoke Jeep’s heritage and strengthen the family resemblance with the Cherokee and Wrangler.

In keeping with the Jeep brand’s “go-anywhere, do-anything” philosophy, the new Grand Cherokee is offered with a new navigation system for European customers, available direct from the factory for the first time. This new system, similar to the one offered on Chrysler Voyager and PT Cruiser, combines a 4.9-inch (12.4-cm) full-colour display, AM/FM stereo, CD player and navigation system that utilises DVD technology -- all in one handy unit.

New 17-inch diameter, five-spoke wheels are now standard on the Limited model. For all Grand Cherokee models, new convex outside mirrors reduce high-speed shake, and the new colour Deep Lava Red is added to the palette of exterior colours.

Overland Diesel Model Extends Line-up

As the original creator of the sport-utility vehicle segment, Jeep continues to offer unique vehicles that appeal to a wide range of customers, and the upper end of the Jeep line-up has become even stronger with the addition of the Overland diesel model.

The top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee Overland is now equipped with the 2.7 common-rail turbo diesel engine previously available in other trim levels. The 2.7 CRD engine produces 120 kW (163 hp) of power and 400 Nm of torque, and is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Grand Cherokee Overland is distinguished by unique machined-rim “Rogue” 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels, body-colour exterior fascia panels and grille surround, rock rails to protect the sills, and a bright finished exhaust pipe on petrol models. The Quadra-Drive® four-wheel-drive system is standard on Overland, as is an engine bay skid plate set for optimum off-road protection.

Inside, extra equipment includes a power sunroof, 10-disc CD changer with remote control, unique suede and leather seat trim, 10-way powered and heated front seats, and real Redwood Burl wood trim on the instrument panel, centre console, upper door trims and upper part of the steering wheel.

Grand Cherokee Overland is also available with the 4.7 High Output V-8 petrol engine. The Laredo and Limited trim levels and two other petrol engines, the 4.0 I-6 and 4.7 V-8, round out the range.

In all Jeep Grand Cherokee interiors, a new cubby bin for holding sunglasses or a mobile phone is added to the instrument panel. An optional ashtray can be ordered in place of the bin.

Enhanced Ride and Safety Features

The Jeep Grand Cherokee’s suspension features reduced-pressure shock absorbers for improvements in overall ride comfort. Reduced brake pedal effort allowing shorter stopping distances during braking manoeuvres was accomplished by increasing the master cylinder output pressure for a “lighter” brake pedal feel. New brake calipers complement the lighter brake pedal feel, providing smoother and more linear braking. Jeep engineers also reduced steering effort both on- and off-centre through the use of a revised steering gear torsion bar.

Standard multi-stage driver and passenger front air bags are designed to deploy at different levels depending on the severity of the impact. Available ceiling-mounted side curtain air bags offer additional head protection for both front and rear outboard occupants.

Utilising a rain sensor attached to the windscreen, Grand Cherokee offers rain-sensing front wipers. When the windscreen wiper control is turned to “AUTO,” the wiper system automatically activates when it rains and adjusts its wiping speed according to the severity of the rain. This feature is optional on Limited and standard on Overland.

Jeep Grand Cherokee is built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit, Michigan, USA, and at the Magna-Steyr assembly plant in Graz, Austria.

Jeep® Grand Cherokee, 2004 Model -- Technical Specifications

Engine 2.7 CRD
Description Five-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled common rail turbo diesel
Displacement 2700 cc
Bore and stroke 88 mm x 88.3 mm
Valve system Chain-driven SOHC, 20 valves, direct injection,
hydraulically adjusted bucket tappets
Compression ratio 18.0:1
Maximum power 120 kW (163 hp) @ 4000 rpm
Maximum torque 400 Nm @ 1800-2600 rpm

Transmission Five-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 11.2 seconds
Top speed 190 km/h (118 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 9.7
Ex-urban cycle 8.1
Urban cycle 12.5
Combined CO2 257 g/km

Engine 4.7 High Output Petrol
Description Eight cylinders, V-type, liquid-cooled
Displacement 4701 cc
Bore and stroke 93 mm x 86.5 mm
Valve system Chain-driven SOHC, 16 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers
Compression ratio 9.7:1
Maximum power 190 kW (258 hp) @ 5200 rpm
Maximum torque 425 Nm @ 3500 rpm

Transmission Five-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 8.3 seconds
Top speed 206 km/h (128 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 15.0
Ex-urban cycle 12.0
Urban cycle 21.0
Combined CO2 368 g/km

Engine 4.7 Petrol
Description Eight cylinders, V-type, liquid-cooled
Displacement 4701 cc
Bore and stroke 93 mm x 86.5 mm
Valve system Chain-driven SOHC, 16 valves, hydraulic end-pivot roller rockers
Compression ratio 9.0:1
Maximum power 164 kW (223 hp) @ 4600 rpm
Maximum torque 394 Nm @ 3300 rpm

Transmission Five-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 9.0 seconds
Top speed 200 km/h (124 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 15.8
Ex-urban cycle 12.5
Urban cycle 21.5
Combined CO2 378 g/km

Engine 4.0 Petrol
Description Six-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled
Displacement 3960 cc
Bore and stroke 98.4 mm x 86.7 mm
Valve system OHV, 12 valves, SMPI, flat-face followers, hydraulic lifters
Compression ratio 8.8:1
Maximum power 140 kW (190 hp) @ 5000 rpm
Maximum torque 295 Nm @ 3050 rpm

Transmission Four-speed automatic
0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) 10.9 seconds
Top speed 189 km/h (117 mph)

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)
Combined cycle 15.7
Ex-urban cycle 11.5
Urban cycle 22.6
Combined CO2 372 g/km

Dimensions and Capacities
Wheelbase 2692 mm
Track, front 1511 mm
Track, rear 1511 mm
Overall length 4612 mm
Overall width 1845 mm
Overall height w/roof rack 1781 mm

Ground clearance
Front axle 232 mm
Rear axle 207.1 mm
Running 218.7 mm
Approach angle 36.6 degrees
Departure angle 28 degrees
Breakover angle 18.9 degrees
Fuel tank capacity 77 litres

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