2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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 (SÚV) 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




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

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.

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


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 SIRIÚS BackSeat TV™. SIRIÚS 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. SIRIÚS 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.

Únder 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.

Source - Jeep