Fuel Efficiency in a Jeep? Chrysler says 2010!

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With rising fuel costs most manufacturers are attempting design improvements to cater to the more mainstream consumer. Amidst some of these changes Jeep appears to be pressing ahead full speed with an update to its Grand Cherokee SRT-8. Engineers at Chrysler haven't decided exactly what will need to be changed for the 425 horsepower monster SUV, although it does appear that the front end will be restyled with multiple optional additions.

Next Generation Design

The next-generation Grand Cherokee, due in 2010, will feature car-like uni-body construction as well as a new 'Phoenix' V6 engine. The Phoenix V6 makes its efficiency gains by using cylinder-deactivation technology to shut down three cylinders, allowing it to function on half of its maximum displacement when under low loads. This feature is reported to be good for a 6-8% improvement in most cases. Taken together with the improved around-town handling likely to come from uni-body construction, the Cherokee could see a significant boost in sales among mainstream buyers. Beneficially this will increase fuel performance, unfortunately this would remove the welded sub frame and truly make the Jeep "car-like". This would cause problems only in the realm of offroading as the sub frame is what gives the Jeep its added stability in tougher conditions.

Chrysler's new Phoenix V6 motor will be available in the Grand Cherokee in 3.3L and 3.6L displacements. A 4.7L V8 and 5.7L HEMI are likely also in the cards, as well the GM/Chrysler/BMW hybrid power train, used in the short-lived Chrysler Aspen Hybrid and Dodge Durango Hybrid. As always, expect two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models to be offered. Other tech-bits we've heard about are an aluminum front axle and a tow rating of almost 8,000 lbs.

Outfitting the Plant

In preparation for the new model, Chrysler plans to spend more than $1.8 billion to refit its Jefferson assembly plant in North Detroit. The same plant will also be responsible for several yet-to-be revealed models based on the same platform, Chrysler explained to Automotive News reporters. The new platform was jointly developed with Mercedes-Benz, but there won't be much else in common between the future Ch

rysler and Mercedes products.

To help raise funds for the expansion and retooling of the plant, Chrysler will sell up to $1 billion in non-earning assets. Some of these assets include land around its headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and its Tritec engine plant in Brazil.

Chrysler also confirmed that a future small car currently being developed with China's Chery Auto is still on track despite a number of engineering changes being made. If the updates are completed in time, the car could go on sale in North America by as early as next year.

Style Changes

Pretty significant changes abound and obvious even without a decent look at the back (the engineers are being quite secretive). The exhaust has been moved from the center and is now integrated into the rear bumper on each side. That and the fact that this prototype is pulling a trailer leads us to believe that the SRT8 Grand Cherokee will be offered for the first time with a towing package. 

Once considered the sports car of the SUV segment, the 2010 Grand Cherokee will likely have a noticeably longer wheelbase, longer rear overhang and likely third-row seating to accommodate the spied towing package. The project was likely started while under Daimler's wing. Thusly the new Grand Cherokee is anticipated to borrow architecture from Mercedes SUVs like the ML and GL.

Multiple updates to 2009's Grand Cherokee are already public with none of the rumors including the changes that we are able to see with our preview being validated. This just makes us unsure whether or not the SRT8 version will be available in the fall, or if it will begin rolling midway through the model year. Given that engineers tried so hard to prevent our photographers from snapping photos, we suspect there are some pretty significant changes in store for the SRT model.

Viability Plan

As part of its viability plan submitted to Congress, Chrysler included an illustration of the all-new 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its submission. The news comes hot on the heels of recent spy photos of prototypes. The new unibody-based model will be built alongside the all-new Dodge Durango at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant.

Code-named 'WL,' the Grand Cherokee will have an all-new platform to ride on, which will be shared with several other vehicles including the next-generation Dodge Durango.

While the Jeep Commander was originally slated to move to this new chassis, the Commander has now been killed outright. However, this new chassis has enough flexibility so that the 2010 Grand Cherokee will be offered in 5 passenger and 7 passenger configurations.

In design the new SUV looks a lot like the Trailhawk concept, but with somewhat sharper lines. As indicated by the spy photos and CGI image, there's a seven-slat grill that reminds us of the Trailhawk's nose. Moreover, the doors have a similar stamping to the Trailhawk concept.

Based on the latest spy shots and reports, the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee looks prone to grow a bit grander. Although Chrysler apparently killed off the diesel option on the current model for the new year, it may return for the new model, joining the same range of V6 and HEMI V8 engines that may expand to include a HEMI hybrid (Hymi, anyone?). For more details, read Motortrend's review.  The design, meanwhile, will still include such trademark styling cues as the seven-slat grille, four round headlights and squared-off wheel arches, but expect the overall shape to borrow from the Trailhawk concept from the Detroit Auto Show of two years ago. Watch for production of this new Jeep to start at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit in January of 2010.  Want more? View an overview of Grand Cherokee models throughout the years.