Jeep Commander

Senin, 12 Juli 2010

The Name Jeep Commander calls to mind images of daring swashbucklers on fearless adventures at the far corners of the earth. As such, Jeep's latest SUV is aptly named; it possesses every inch of the go-anywhere bravado implicit in its moniker. With three rows of seating and room for up to seven passengers, the Commander is the most spacious SUV Jeep has ever produced.

Although not quite as capable off-road as the smaller Jeeps, among SUVs in its size class the Commander is a superb trail-buster, able to tackle rock-strewn paths and steep mountain tracks without breaking a sweat. Less thrilling, however, are the Jeep Commander's lackluster interior materials, cramped third row, so-so cargo capacity and poor fuel mileage with the larger engines.

Current Jeep Commander

The three-row Jeep Commander is available in two trims: Sport and Limited. The Sport comes standard with power accessories, a power driver seat, air-conditioning and a CD stereo. The Limited trim honeys the mix with heated leather seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable pedals, a power tailgate, satellite radio and a power sunroof with twin skylights in the second row. Buyers can also snag options like a navigation system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

The base Jeep Commander Sport gets its pep from a standard 3.7-liter V6 capable of 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque, a barely adequate engine in the 4,800-pound Commander. The Limited model has more punch thanks to a 5.7-liter V8 (optional on Sport), which cranks out 357 hp and 389 lb-ft of torque. Those who choose the base model may equip it with a full-time all-wheel-drive system. Jeep also offers two sophisticated four-wheel-drive systems for those planning to take their Commanders on off-road trails, including Quadra-Drive II, which features Hill Start and Descent Assist technology. All models come with a five-speed automatic transmission.

Slide inside the Commander's cabin and you'll find yourself enveloped in comfortable seats. An upscale two-tone decor makes for an attractive interior, but there's too much hard plastic for an SUV in this price range. (The Limited is a bit nicer.) There aren't any midsize SUVs that offer truly spacious third-row seating; still, even by these low standards, legroom in the Commander's third row falls short and is suitable only for children. Cargo capacity is unspectacular as well, largely because of the packaging issues created by the Jeep's solid-axle rear suspension and generous ground clearance. The SUV offers 7.5 cubic feet with all three rows in use, 36.4 with the third row stowed and 68.9 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. These numbers would be OK for a compact SUV, but they're minuscule for a midsize sport-ute.

In reviews, we've praised the Jeep Commander for its off-road capabilities and powerful available V8. Opinions about ride quality are mixed; some have found the Jeep to provide a tranquil ride but others, expecting a more secure feel, deem it wallowy. Handling on pavement is competent for a nearly 5,000-pound vehicle, but not the least bit sporting. The base V6 doesn't hustle the Commander with much authority. The 5.7-liter V8 is both powerful and relatively fuel-efficient.

Design Interior grand Cherokee 2005

Selasa, 06 Juli 2010

Design

At a time when fad diets and an obsession with being svelte are trendy, it's somewhat ironic that oversized sport-utility vehicles (SUV) are in fashion at all. This makes the functionally efficient capability and timeless design of the all-new 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee a breath of fresh air - or, at least, it would if the thing weren't so durn heavy that its gas mileage is no better than that of the Chevy Tahoe.

The signature seven-slot grille has a painted body color look on Loredo, and is plated with chrome on the Limited. High-performance halogen headlamps employ a rounded traditional Jeep appearance. The hood, air dam and exterior mirrors were developed in the Chrysler Group's wind tunnel in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to minimize wind noise and maximize aerodynamics.

The shape of the body has been designed to protect the sides of the vehicle from potential road debris thrown off the tires. The heavy and expensive cladding used on the previous model is replaced with a more efficient body-side shape and moldings that are incorporated into the design. Badges are now injection-molded and chrome-plated to communicate a richness and sense of precision.

A new and inviting interior awaits occupants with a rich two-tone instrument panel treatment, new door trims and upscale interior finishes. The seats are crafted with contours that are precise, firm and ergonomic. They are designed for long-distance comfort with trim styles different for each model: Laredo features cloth and optional leather while Limited seats are two-tone leather with perforated leather seat inserts.

The elegant instrument panel design offers a high degree of precision. Gaps have been reduced and parting lines minimized. The instrument panel features a dark upper color and lighter lower color. Multiple storage bins have been added for additional storage.

"A successful effort was made to limit the amount of joints and pieces in the interior," said Clyde Ney, Chrysler Group Jeep Design Manager and the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee's interior designer. "Quality isn't just the workings of the interior but the perception the customer feels when they are within the vehicle. The touch points -- elegance, the sound the switches make, the fit and finish, the textures and lighter colors -- are all vital to a quality experience because that's where the occupants literally live while traveling."

A new precise four-gauge instrument cluster with LED illumination features black gauges surrounded by chrome accent rings and red pointers for easy-to-read legibility in all lighting conditions.

The new gated automatic transmission shifter has a chrome bezel. On models with a two-speed transfer case, the traditional manual case lever is replaced with an electric "T-handle" lever that interacts better with the transfer case. A momentary pull rearward on the lever selects between 4-Low and 4-Hi, and returns to its original position. There is a parcel bin for cell phones and other such items to the right of the shifter.

In the cargo area, versatility and storage reign. A new reversible load door 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.

Grand Cherokee 2005 Suspension and steering

An all-new independent front suspension provides the driver with a greater sense of precision and control, more precise steering, and reduces vehicle weight and head toss.

Suspension and steering

Front suspension wheel travel is increased 13 percent over the previous generation vehicle, and a tight turning diameter of 37.1 ft. is improved over the current Jeep Grand Cherokee to provide even more nimble handling.

The new five-link rear suspension geometry, including a track bar, also improves lateral stiffness to match that of the front suspension for optimum handling.

The Dynamic Handling System (DHS) is standard with the Hemi engine -- Chrysler's first use of a hydraulic-controlled active stabilizer system. DHS significantly reduces body roll, resulting in sportier handling when turning or maneuvering, while providing a smoother ride when traveling straight ahead. Traditionally, a stiff stabilizer bar improves handling, but diminishes ride quality. The Jeep DHS overcomes this by effectively decoupling the front and rear stabilizer bars except when they are needed to improve cornering performance.

Also offered for the first time, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving maneuvers on any type of surface. Using signals from sensors throughout the vehicle, the system determines the appropriate brake and throttle adjustments for directional stability of the vehicle.

Grand Cherokee's new rack-and-pinion steering system imparts a more precise steering feel translated to the driver through fewer linkages than a recirculating ball steering system. Even with the 2.5-inch increase in track, Grand Cherokee's nimbleness and tight turning diameter are maintained with the new steering system.

The DHS uses the steering angle sensor, center of gravity lateral accelerometer and upper lateral accelerometer to determine when the stabilizer bar is necessary. Actuators pressurize the bar links when the bar is required. While traveling straight on-road, the actuators float and the bar can travel to the limits of the links. DHS delivers a high level of driver confidence by significantly reducing body roll in tight turns, resulting in sportier handling and maneuvering, while providing a smoother ride when traveling straight ahead.

Auto Jeeps grand cherokee 2005 - 2007

Senin, 05 Juli 2010

The 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee had more power, off-road capability, and comfort and convenience features, with a choice of four engines: the Hemi, 4.7 V8, 3.7 V6, and (for a time) a Mercedes diesel.

The 2005-2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV details and buyer guide

The 3.7 came with a Mercedes five-speed, the V8s with a Chrysler five-speed automatic with dual second gears. The Hemi brought an additional 60 hp and 40 lb-ft of torque over the 4.7 High Output V8 with no gas mileage penalty; the V6 brings an extra 15 hp and 5 lb-ft of torque.

New for 2005 were an active suspension and electronic differentials, and an independent front suspension for better on-road handling and feel. New gadgets, from DVD to navigation to automatically-lowering headlights, round out the package, and a new interior increases the sense of luxury. The Grand Cherokee now gets the Federal government's highest safety rating. For 2007, a diesel was added (see below); for 2008, the 4.7 got a major power boost, features were added, interior and exterior styling was tweaked, and other minor changes were made.

2005 Grand Cherokee automatic transmissions

A five-speed Mercedes automatic transmission (W5A580) is used with the 3.7-liter V-6. It features partial engagement in third, fourth, and fifth gears to improve shift feel, economy, and transmission cooling. Like the 545RFE and all other modern Chrysler automatics, the shift schedule adapts to the driver's style, road situations, and other factors.

The 545RFE five-speed automatic transmission continues to be used with V8s, with refinements for higher-quality shifts and increases to the Grand Cherokee's towing capacity, including:

• a redesigned solenoid to provide quieter operation when shifting from "park" into "drive."
• a turbine damper reduces noise and vibration related to torque converter application.

The 545RFE continues to offer dual second-gear ratios to provide a balance of performance and fuel economy. Depending on driving conditions, the transmission will select the more appropriate second gear. A secondary overdrive ratio increases highway fuel economy and reduces engine noise at high speeds.

The 545RE has three planetary gear sets and one overrunning clutch, with Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver-interactive control ("AutoStick"?), and an electronically controlled torque converter clutch.

Both transmissions feature Electronic Range Select (ERS) driver interactive shift control for the first time on Grand Cherokee. The shifter provides fully-automated shifting when in the "drive" position, or the driver 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 driving requirement.

A new stamped steel transfer case skid plate mounts to the transmission cross member and fuel tank skidplate to provide off-road protection to the transfer case.

2004 - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engines
Engine	City	Highway		Horsepower	Torque
4.0 I-6 (2004)	16	21		195	230
3.7 V-6 (2005)	16	21		210	235
4.7 (2004)	15	20		235	295
4.7 (2005)	14	20		230	290
4.7 H.O. (2004)	15	20		265	330
5.7 (2005)	14	21		325	370