“What is past is prologue” – William Shakespeare
It was once said that “what is past is prologue” and if the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is any indication of this, the future of the Jeep brand looks to be a very bright one.[Not a valid template]
The last two years have brought about a myriad of obstacles, challenges, and renewed successes for the American auto industry. Chrysler has had its tribulations with its divestiture from Daimler and then Cerebrus, followed by its merger with Italy-based Fiat which has brought about a breath of fresh air to the company and its product lineup.
The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is the company’s first major vehicle launch since the Fiat merger and the first of its kind since the launch of the Jeep Liberty KK in 2008. With its muscular yet refined stance, design queues that reflect the passion and creativity of a talented and focused team of engineers and designers, and capabilities surpassing that of any other “luxury” sport utility in the market, the new Grand Cherokee not only beats expectations but could very well be an indication of the exciting future for Jeep and its place in consumer minds.
Company CEO Mike Manley has appropriately dubbed the company’s resurgence as a novel that goes from “Chapter 11 – bankruptcy – to Chapter 1,” reflecting the company’s fresh new start. In describing the 2011 Grand Cherokee, Mr. Manley described the project as having five key factors: capability, safety & security, technology innovation, value, and craftsmanship. There is no doubt the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee achieves all of these factors and then some.
The new Grand Cherokee features over 45 standard safety features that have already made it an IIHS Top Safety Pick including electronic stability control, full-length side-curtain air bags and seat-mounted side thorax air bags, active head restraints, and blind-spot/rear cross-path detection system to name a few.
Technology is enhanced with Bluetooth functionality that can be used for phone calls, choosing satellite radio channels, navigation, and other “intelligent” features. Uconnect Web turns the vehicle into a drivable WiFi hotspot, and various intelligent on-board systems enhance the vehicle’s capabilities, on and off-highway, to make it a front-runner in this market segment.