this did catch my eye. the new 2011 jeep grand cherokee. do i like it? kinda. do i want it? no. but am i fascinated by certain features? you bet!
among the fun features:
a new ultra polluting Hemi V8 at only 360 horsepower, a new high performing 260 horse V6 [keep in mind, thats juuuust about what my V8 puts out!, with nearly a liter less in total displacement!]
an all new electronically selectable traction control setting; which is billed as a transmission control; but id bet it has more to to do with electronically controlled AWD function...
an all new air bag suspension system. this one interests me most! ride height is adjustable from 5 to 11 inches at the touch of a button, which is quite interesting... no springs or shocks... however, these things are notoriously awful at traversing hard terrain.
and last but certainly least in my mind, IFS and IRS. yikes. jeep is really flushing their heritage down the dumper with this. honestly, thats THE defining reason that i purchase my WJ; the solid axles, front AND rear. the current model WK went to IFS... this is just a poor decision in my mind. but whatever.
its a nice looking vehicle. but IMO it looks something like a buick suv now... definitively less jeep like.
[ pictures are all from JALOPNIK.COM ! plus they have a fairly detailed review of new features! ]
