Image credits: © Jeep.

MSRP: $29,650-44,045
Invoice: $27,215-40,060

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee news, pictures, and information

2009 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Gets Powerful Boost from New HEMI® Engine and More Premium Amenities

Since its introduction in 1992, the Jeep® Grand Cherokee has revolutionized the sport-utility (SUV) market. With its best-in-class traction capability and power, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is designed, engineered and built to master every imaginable day-to-day driving condition, whether on- or off-road.

New for the 2009 model year, Jeep Grand Cherokee features a new 5.7-liter HEMI®, which provides better fuel economy, improved idle quality and overall refinement. With 357 horsepower (266 kW) and 389 lb.-ft. (527 N•m) of torque, this new HEMI engine also delivers an 8.2 percent increase in horsepower and a 3.7 percent increase in torque compared with the previous generation engine. The HEMI's new Variable Valve Timing (VVT) improves fuel economy in two ways. First, it reduces the engine's pumping work by closing the intake valve later. Second, it increases the expansion process of the combustion event, which allows more work to be transferred to the crankshaft instead of being rejected out of the exhaust port as heat. Essentially, VVT improves engine breathing, which improves engine efficiency and power.

2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee customers also will benefit from the HEMI engine's fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS), which seamlessly shifts to smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed, and back to V-8 mode when more power is in demand. The MDS system optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

In addition to the new 5.7-liter HEMI® engine, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee also features new customer amenities.

A new Leather Appearance Group is standard on 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland models. The package includes leather wrap on the upper front- and rear-door bolsters, front-door armrests, the center console armrest/lid, instrument panel cluster brow, as well as the two-piece shift knob.

The 2009 Grand Cherokee Laredo model features a standard soft-touch center armrest cover, leather-wrapped park brake handle, floor mats, interior chrome door handles and audio control buttons.

The vehicle's instrument panel has been upgraded to include modifications to Laredo model Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) warnings in the Electronic Vehicle Information Center

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2009

INTERIOR

• Instrument panel upgrades to include Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) System

• New 9-inch rear DVD screen replaces 8-inch screen

• iPod interface available with uconnect gps

• Laredo model features a standard soft-touch center armrest cover, leather-wrapped park brake handle, floor mats, interior chrome door handles and audio control buttons

POWERTRAIN/CHASSIS

New 5.7-liter HEMI engine
PACKAGES

Leather Appearance Group standard on Limited and Overland models (which includes: leather wrap on the upper front- and rear-door bolsters, front-door armrests, the center console armrest/lid, instrument panel cluster brow, as well as the two-piece shift knob)

DESIGN

Exterior Ready to Take Action
With its upright and substantial posture, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee's design offers an athletic and contemporary appearance. The lengthened grille and more circular headlamps give Grand Cherokee a more dominant and expressive front view. Available High-intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, optional on Limited and standard on Overland, include an internal optic lens for the park/turn function. Low fog lamps also offer enhanced performance. Off-road enthusiasts will be pleased with the two-piece front fascia, which allows for the entire lower piece to be removed before hitting the off-road trails.

The body shape is designed to protect the sides of the vehicle from potential road debris. The Grand Cherokee name is integrated into the bodyside molding for a high-quality look and feel. At the side, a proportionately longer hood and greater distance between the center of the front axle and the base of the windshield emphasize the engine compartment and help to achieve a more powerful image.

Interior Design Elegant and Functional
The Jeep Grand Cherokee takes capability and refinement to new levels. On the inside, the vehicle's two-tone instrument panel features a new level of refinement with bright accents, a soft-touch surface and updated styling.

A tilt and telescoping steering column is standard and features a steering wheel that includes bright accent bezels, which house the electronic vehicle information center's switches. The Limited model's steering wheel adds two-tone leather and bright chrome accent rings. The Overland model features a real wood rim for added luxury. The instrument cluster features bright LED illumination. Limited and Overland models feature a modern and elegant treatment where, when the vehicle is started, the dark-tinted lens fades to reveal chrome-ringed black gauges that are surrounded by bright silver accents.

Jeep Grand Cherokee's seats are beautifully crafted with contours that are precise, firm and ergonomically friendly. They are purpose-built and designed for long-distance comfort with differing trim styles for each model: the Laredo model features cloth and optional leather; the Limited model features two-tone leather with perforated inserts; and the Overland model features saddle perforated leather seats with accent piping for an even more upscale look. A reversible load-floor panel is carpeted on one side and offers easy-to-clean plastic on the other. The plastic side includes a large shallow tray for additional utility.

ENGINEERING

Four-wheel-drive Systems
Quadra-Trac I®
Jeep Grand Cherokee customers who want the assurance of full-time four-wheel drive without any switches or levers to pull will find that Quadra-Trac I® is ideal. The system is available on Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine and provides smooth operation of the vehicle over a variety of road conditions.

The NV140 transfer case splits torque 48/52 percent (front/rear) for nearly even distribution of engine power. The single-speed transfer case has been designed to rigorous Jeep durability standards while offering smooth and quiet operation. The use of the Brake Traction Control System (BTCS) with the NV140 transfer case makes the 4x4 system extremely competent in most driving situations.

Quadra-Trac II®
The Jeep Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Trac II® 4x4 system gives customers the benefit of the NV245 two-speed active transfer case and BTCS.

The NV245 transfer case is the same used in the Quadra-Drive II® system. It takes input from a variety of sensors to determine tire slip at the earliest possible moment and takes corrective action. The system also uses Throttle Anticipate – sensing quick movement in throttle from a stop – and takes steps to maximize traction before tire slippage occurs. When wheel slippage is detected, up to 100 percent of the available 375 lb.-ft. of torque is instantly routed to the axle with the most traction.

Torque is transferred to the individual wheels as needed by the BTCS to maintain traction in changing road conditions. When the system senses tire slip, it modulates brake pressure to the slipping wheel, which directs torque to the tires with the best traction.

Quadra-Trac II features an electronic shift mechanism for ease of use. The transfer case offers a low range for off-road situations and includes a neutral position for trouble-free towing behind another vehicle.

Quadra-Drive II®
The Quadra-Drive II® Jeep 4x4 system offers customers the ultimate in off-road capability. It combines the NV245 full-time transfer case with Electronic Limited Slip Differentials (ELSD) for best-in-class tractive performance. The system instantly detects tire slip and smoothly distributes engine torque to the tires with traction. In some cases, the vehicle will even anticipate low traction and adjust to proactively limit or eliminate slip.

The heart of the system is the NV245 active transfer case. This transfer case includes a center differential coupled with an electronically controlled clutch pack, varying it from a completely open state to completely locked and infinite possibilities in between. The 4-Low gear ratio is 2.72:1.

A key component in the Quadra-Drive II system is the ELSD – an industry-first application front/rear/center and the benchmark for automatic traction differentials. The ELSD uses electronically controlled clutch packs to automatically and instantly vary from slip to lock at each axle. This maximizes traction when needed without any of the on-road drawbacks normally associated with such a robust 4x4 system.

All components of the system work together, continually monitoring needs, to provide smooth and automatic application of the components for best-in-class tractive performance while improving the day-to-day on-road driving experience. For example, the ELSD releases the clutch packs in the front axle during turns to allow differentiation and prevent crow hop.

Engines
3.0-liter Common Rail Turbodiesel
The 3.0-liter common rail turbodiesel (CRD) engine produces 215 horsepower (160 kW) @ 3,800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. of torque (508 N•m) @ 1,600 rpm. The engine offers up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy compared with traditional gasoline engines, class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs.) and class-leading driving range (approximately 450 miles). Clean diesel technology also reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 30 percent. Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the available 3.0-liter CRD will be built until the end of the 2008 calendar year.

3.7-liter SOHC V-6
The 3.7-liter V-6 engine provides the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a powerful standard engine that delivers efficiency, durability and smooth operation. It produces 210 horsepower (157 kW) @ 5,200 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque @ 4,000 rpm. A sophisticated Electronic Throttle Control system tailors throttle response to pedal movement based on operating conditions and maintains a consistent vehicle speed on rolling grades when cruise control is active. An exhaust gas recirculation valve helps increase fuel economy.

4.7-liter SOHC V-8 (FFV)
The Jeep Grand Cherokee's available Flexible-fuel Vehicle (FFV) 4.7-liter V-8 engine offers better fuel economy, power and torque than the previous generation 4.7-liter high-output engine. This V-8 engine incorporates electronic throttle control, two spark plugs per cylinder, increased compression ratio, improved cylinder-head port flow and a new combustion system. The result is 305 horsepower (227 kW) @ 5,650 rpm, a 30 percent increase, and 334 lb.-ft. (453 N•m) of torque @ 3,950 rpm, a 10 percent increase compared with the previous generation 4.7-liter V-8 engine. It also delivers a more than 5 percent increase in fuel economy. This FFV engine also gives customers the ability to use up to an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E85) to fuel their vehicles.

New 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee's new 5.7-liter HEMI engine produces 357 horsepower (266 kW) and 389 lb.-ft. (527 N•m) of torque, providing better fuel economy, improved idle quality and overall refinement. The HEMI's new Variable Valve Timing (VVT) improves fuel economy in two ways. First, it reduces the engine's pumping work by closing the intake valve later. Second, it increases the expansion process of the combustion event. This allows more work to be transferred to the crankshaft instead of being rejected out of the exhaust port as heat. Essentially, VVT improves engine breathing, which improves engine efficiency and power.

The HEMI® engine's fuel-saving Multi-displacement System (MDS) seamlessly alternates between smooth, high-fuel-economy four-cylinder mode when less power is needed and V-8 mode when more power is in demand. This optimizes fuel economy when V-8 power is not required, without sacrificing vehicle performance or capability.

Suspension Steering Systems and Transmissions
The short- and long-arm (SLA) independent front suspension on Grand Cherokee gives the driver a greater sense of precision and control and more precise steering, while also reducing vehicle weight and head toss, all without compromising the vehicle's off-road performance. The five-link rear-suspension geometry, including a track bar, improves lateral stiffness to match that of the front suspension for optimum handling.

The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee's standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), helps the driver maintain vehicle directional stability in severe maneuvers on any type of surface. Signals from sensors throughout the vehicle determine the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments which give the vehicle directional stability. Rack-and-pinion steering gives the driver more precise steering, providing quick response during all types of maneuvers.

Available with the 3.7-liter V-6 engine is the W5A580, a five-speed automatic transmission that delivers smooth shifts and optimum fuel economy. The 3.0-liter CRD engine is mated to the W5J400 five-speed automatic transmission. The 4.7-liter V-8 and the 5.7-liter HEMI® V-8 engines are mated to the 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission. The W5J400 and the W5A580 have been refined for higher-quality shifts while giving Grand Cherokee class-leading towing capacity of 7,400 lbs. All transmissions feature Electronic Range Select driver interactive shift control. The shifter provides fully automated shifting when in the 'drive' position. The driver also can manually select each gear by simply moving the shifter left and right from the 'drive' position. This gives the driver control to precisely match any on-road or off-road requirement.

Jeep Trail Rated®
The Jeep Grand Cherokee's four-wheel-drive systems are Trail Rated®. The Jeep Trail Rated badge on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee shows that the vehicle has been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: Traction, Ground Clearance, Maneuverability, Articulation and Water Fording.

Jeep Trail Rated is a unique methodology used by Jeep Engineering to measure and predict off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles today and into the future. Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, Jeep Trail Rated provides a consistent measurement of off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles are Trail Rated.

Source - Jeep

2009 Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8®: Four-wheel-drive SRT Performance in Quickest Jeep Ever

Chrysler Street and Racing Technology (SRT) organization has demonstrated it knows no boundaries when it created the first four-wheel-drive SRT vehicle, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8®. It's the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever created, offering astonishing on-road and all-weather ability and power.

With a 0-60 mph time in under 5 seconds – in wet or dry conditions – it's quicker than competitors such as Porsche Cayenne Turbo and BMW X5.

Powered by a 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 producing 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. of torque (569 N•m), the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 delivers a complete performance package, with exceptional ride and handling, world-class braking, race-inspired interior appointments and functional, performance-oriented exterior enhancements.

WHAT'S NEW FOR 2009

EXTERIOR

• New exterior colors Modern Blue Pearl Coat and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat replace Steel Blue Pearl Coat and Black Clear Coat

• Rear-window opening added to key fob

INTERIOR

Performance Pages reconfigurable display (can display performance information including longitudinal and lateral g-force, 0-60 mph acceleration time, 1/8-mile and 1/4-mile acceleration time, and speed and braking distance)
9-inch DVD screen viewing area
Leather interior upgrade
o Leather wrap added to upper front and rear door bolsters and armrest
o Leather-wrapped cluster brow on instrument panel
o New shift knob cap with 'Jeep' name
DESIGN
The 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's bold exterior design makes it stand out in the crowd. The front fascia not only looks good, but provides aerodynamic benefits by reducing lift and drag, while providing sufficient air flow to cool the 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 engine. The front fascia also helps increase brake system cooling through integrated air ducts.

The rear fascia incorporates an aggressive center cutout to accommodate dual four-inch exhaust tips. Sill extensions result in another functional enhancement by creating downforce.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee's SRT8's cabin features the SRT signature race-inspired interior. Race-inspired seats with added bolstering and a performance fabric insert keep occupants firmly in place under spirited driving conditions. A dark slate gray interior color, accent stitching on the seats and a unique SRT-designed leather-wrapped steering wheel are some of the highlights. Full instrumentation includes a 180-mph (300-kph) speedometer, tachometer and temperature gauges, all trimmed with a unique blue accent.

For rear-seat passenger comfort and convenience, the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 continues to offer SIRIUS BackSeat TV™. SIRIUS Backseat TV features three channels of respected children's TV featuring many of the most well-known kids' programming, including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network. SIRIUS Backseat TV operates via an in-vehicle satellite video receiver and two small roof-mounted antennas.

ENGINEERING
SRT engineers created the first SRT vehicle with full-time four-wheel drive by creating a new transfer case. They used the front half of a Jeep transfer case, chosen for its capability and light weight, and mated it to the rear half of a heavier-duty case, chosen for its ruggedness and ability to house electronic full-time, four-wheel-drive system components.

Under normal driving conditions, five to 10 percent of torque is directed to the front wheels, but as much of the 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8's torque that's needed can be directed forward when additional traction or stability is required. Remaining torque is sent via a heavy-duty driveshaft to a Dana 44 rear axle.

Providing horsepower and torque to the unique SRT four-wheel-drive system is a specially tuned version of the 6.1-liter SRT HEMI® engine, which was developed by adding more displacement, increasing the compression ratio and redesigning the cylinder heads, intake and exhaust systems for better flow and increased engine speed (versus the 5.7-liter HEMI).

Power from the SRT 6.1-liter HEMI is sent through a special torque converter to an SRT-upgraded, five-speed automatic transmission with specially calibrated driver-selectable Auto Stick, which offers fully automatic or manual shift selection.

Chassis setup for the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 employs SRT-tuned dampers, unique sway bars and specially tailored spring rates and suspension bushings. Front suspension knuckles were redesigned to accommodate high-performance braking and steering systems. The ride height of the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is one inch lower than the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which lowers aerodynamic drag as well as the center of gravity, and contributes to the vehicle's stability and aggressive stance.

The braking system on the 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 features four-piston performance brake calipers developed by Brembo, finished in red. These calipers work with 360 mm x 32 mm vented rotors up front, and 350 mm x 28 mm vented rotors in the rear.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8® is the quickest, most powerful Jeep vehicle ever
• Powered by the 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 producing 420 horsepower (313 kW) and 420 lb.-ft. (569 N•m) of torque, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's powertrain and performance-tuned ride and handling offer a world-class performance SUV experience
• Quicker than Porsche Cayenne Turbo, BMW X5
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the first Jeep SRT vehicle, offering on-road and all-weather ability and performance
• Specially developed four-wheel-drive system offers highly capable performance
• SRT performance: 0-60 mph in under five seconds, 0-100-0 in low 19-second range, 60-0 mph in approximately 125 feet
Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 formula
• Functional, performance-oriented exterior design, featuring 20-inch SRT wheels, front and rear fascias with air dam and cooling ducts; race-inspired interior appointments that include deeply bolstered seating and comprehensive instrumentation; benchmark braking; and world-class ride and handling characteristics
• The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is part of a broad lineup of SRT vehicles developed under the credo, 'Race inspired, street legal'

Source - Jeep

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