In line with its “Zero Emission Freedom” policy, Jeep has released details of its first-ever electrified Grand Cherokee.
Priced from $129,950 plus on-roads, the Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe Plug-In Hybrid will arrive here in August to supplement the recently released fifth-generation of five and seven-seat variants.
Reserve 4xe combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with two electric motors and a 400-volt 17.3-kWh battery pack paired with a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.
There are two available 4×4 systems – Quadra-Trac I and Quadra-Trac II.
Both 4×4 systems feature an active transfer case to improve traction by distributing torque to the wheel with the most grip.
Quadra-Trac II adds Selec-Terrain and Quadra Lift Air Suspension.
Overall, the 4xe hybrid system delivers 280kW of combined power and 637Nm of combined torque.
Full-electric range, according to the more lenient NEDC measurement system is 52km, with combined fuel economy of 3.2L/100km.
The charge port is located beneath a push-open/close cover on the left front of the vehicle for nose-in parking at charging locations.
The charge port includes LED indicators of charging status as well as an LED battery level monitor on top of the instrument panel.
Charging time varies from less than 10 hours (Mode 2) to less than 3 hours (Mode 3 at 7.4kWh).
Efficiency is enhanced via the use of electric power steering and an electrically driven air conditioning compressor, removing those loads from the engine.
The battery pack system includes a dedicated heating and cooling circuit to keep the battery at optimum temperature for best performance, with a dedicated heater unit and a chiller that uses the Grand Cherokee’s air-conditioning refrigerant to reduce coolant temperature when needed.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe comes with E-Selec modes that can adjust the hybrid powertrain to best suit each trip.
The three modes — Hybrid, Electric and eSave — are selected via buttons mounted on the instrument panel.
Regardless of mode selected, the vehicle operates as a hybrid once the battery nears its minimum state of charge.
It also has regenerative braking.
The 4xe system includes an Integrated Dual Charging Module (IDCM) that combines a battery charger and DC/DC converter in a single, compact unit and a Power Inverter Module (PIM) that is reduced in size.
These are mounted under the body and protected with steel shields.
All high-voltage electronics are sealed and waterproof.
Exterior features in the 4xe include automatic LED headlights with automatic high-beam, black painted roof and 21-inch polished/painted alloy wheels.
Inside the Summit Reserve 4xe are quilted Palermo leather-trimmed seats, 12-way power with four-way power lumbar adjustment and massage for both driver and front passenger, ventilated front and outboard second-row seats, four-zone automatic climate control and dual-pane panoramic sunroof.
Standard safety features include blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, active lane management, parallel and perpendicular park assist, active driving assist, pedestrian automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection, traffic sign recognition, 360-degree camera and digital rear view mirror.
As with all other models in the Grand Cherokee range convenience features including two USB Type C sockets, a 10.25-inch frameless digital instrument cluster with nearly two dozen different menus from which the user can select, including driver-assist technologies such as Active Driving Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition with Night Vision optional.
The 10.25 infotainment screen includes Uconnect 5 Nav with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and premium McIntosh high performance audio with 19 speakers and 950-watt amplifier.
A $5500 Advanced Technology pack adds a head-up display, wireless smartphone charging pad, night vision camera and 10.25-inch front passenger interactive display.
Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe will come with eight colour choices, some optional: Bright White, Velvet Red, Diamond Black, Silver Zynith, Midnight Sky, Rocky Mountain, Hydro Blue or Baltic Grey.
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