Jeep Grand CherokeeModels,Safety and Suspension,and Development and Photos
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a Mid-size SUV produced by the Jeep division of Chrysler. While some other SUVs were manufactured with body on frame construction, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has always used a unibody chassis.
Development
The Grand Cherokee's origins date back to 1983 when American Motors (AMC) engineers were designing a successor to the smaller Jeep Cherokee (XJ). Three outside (non-AMC) designers—Larry Shinoda, Adam Clenet, and Giorgetto Giugiaro—were under contract with AMC to create and build a clay model of the Cherokee replacement, then known as the "XJC" project. However, the basic design for the Cherokee's replacement was well under way by AMC's in-house designers and the 1989 Jeep Concept 1 show car foretold the basic design.
The Grand Cherokee was the first Chrysler-badged Jeep product. Development work for the new model continued and Chrysler employees (after the 1987 buyout of AMC) were eager for a late-1980s release date; however, CEO Lee Iacocca was pushing for redesigned Chrysler minivans, thus delaying the Grand Cherokee's release until late 1992 as an Explorer competitor. Unlike the Explorer, the Grand Cherokee utilized monocoque (unibody) construction, whereas the Explorer was a derivative of the Ranger pickup with a separate body-on-frame.
The Grand Cherokee debuted in grand fashion at the January 1992 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. Then Chrysler president Robert Lutz drove Detroit mayor, Coleman Young, up the steps of Cobo Hall and through a plate glass window to show off the new vehicle. Sales of the 1993 model year Grand Cherokee began in April 1992.
Production of the Grand Cherokee started shortly afterward in the purpose-built Jefferson North Assembly in Detroit, Michigan, United States. European Grand Cherokees are manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4
Four-wheel drive systems included Command-Trac, a part-time unit offering temporary 4-wheel assistance; Command-Trac was dropped from lineup in conjunction with the SE trim in 1996. Selec-Trac had the option of either full-time or part-time operation; both shift-on-the-fly Command-Trac and Selec-Trac were already available for the Cherokee, and they were adapted to the Grand Cherokee. Exclusive to the Grand Cherokee was the introduction of Quadra-Trac system with permanent all-time four-wheel assistance. This was optional on all models. Low-range required using a manual shift lever for all three systems.
Suspension
The Quadra-Coil suspension was standard and featured a solid axle multi-link coil spring design. By allowing the locating arms to positively control axle positions the handling attributes were improved. The rear suspension has 4 trailing arms with two coil springs per side. Like its XJ counterpart, the Quadra-Link front suspension was carried over.
An available "Up Country" package was offered. The suspension package included heavier duty German made gas charged shocks installed upside down, taller coil springs and longer bump stops. Ground clearance was increased by one inch.
Awards
The Grand Cherokee V8 was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 1993.
It was also Petersen's 4x4 of the Year in 1993, 1996 (with the redesigned NV249 transfer case), 1998 (with the newly available 5.9L V-8), 1999 (with its acclaimed 2nd generation model), 2001 (with the new 5-speed transmission), and 2005 (with its 3rd generation model).
Models
- 1993–1995 — Base "SE"
- 1993–1998 — Laredo
- 1993–1998 — Limited
- 1995–1997 — Orvis "Limited Edition"
- 1997–1998 — TSi
- 1993 Grand Wagoneer
- 1998 5.9 Limited
Special edition ZJs
Throughout its lifetime, there were several different "one-off" and special edition models of the ZJ. The following highlights several of these.
Safety
| Euro NCAP test results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011) | ||
| Test | Points | % |
| Overall: |   | |
| Adult occupant: | 29 | 81% |
| Child occupant: | 34 | 69% |
| Pedestrian: | 16 | 45% |
| Safety assist: | 5 | 71% |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (1993–present) Magna Steyr (1994) |
|---|---|
| Production | January 1992–present |
| Model years | 1993-present |
| Class | Mid-size SUV |
| Body style | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / Four-wheel drive |
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