A completely undisguised Jeep Grand Cherokee has been spotted tearing up the Nürburgring. Where is more appropriate to test a school run SUV, we ask you?
The new model, whose form is hardly a secret, sports a more dynamic look than the outgoing car, softening the squared edges while retaining a familiar ruggedness. The headlamps are thinner, as is the grille, and it's altogether less slab sided.
It should prove a worthy off-roader, with a terrain select system similar to Land Rover's allowing the driver to choose the suspension and drivetrain settings depending on the surface. It's called 'Selec-Terrain'.
It also has air suspension with five height settings, including one that's lower than standard to make the car more aerodynamic. It can be raised by up to 11 inches to clear serious off road obstacles too. Torque can be split across the front and rear axles in varying proportions.
Power will come from a 3.0-litre Mercedes-Benz diesel engine or a 3.6-litre V6 petrol unit with 280bhp. Most people will, of course, plump for the former.
Photography by Tony Dewhurst of www.pistonspy.com
Mark Nichol - 26 Apr 2010