New Jeep Grand Cherokee in July..AWD and RWD with 8 @ 9 speed auto.

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Rear-wheel-drive Jeep Grand Cherokee is coming
Expect better fuel consumption and a lower start price
To be offered on the Grand Cherokee Laredo diesel and petrol

Jeep is set to add a new rear-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee when the updated model goes on sale in July.

The current Grand Cherokee is only available as an all-wheel-drive proposition, but the facelifted model is expected to be offered in both rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts.

Information ascertained by Drive indicates the new rear-wheel-drive Grand Cherokee will be available with the option of either a 3.0-litre turbo diesel or a 3.6-litre petrol V6.


A new eight-speed automatic transmission will be the standard gearbox across the range, and, combined with the weight savings of the rear-drive layout, should yield significant improvements in fuel consumption over the current models (petrol: 11.0L/100km; diesel: 8.3L/100km).

The rear-drive lineup is expected to be limited to the entry-level Laredo, which currently starts at $45,000 plus on-road costs for the petrol and $50,000 plus on-roads for the diesel. Expect that price to drop by thousands for the RWD models.

While it will lack the renowned off-road ability of the AWD version, the rear-wheel-drive model will still also be able to tow a decent amount, with the petrol rated at 2800 kilograms and the diesel at 3000kg.

The move comes following Jeep’s decision to completely change tack with its all-new Cherokee model, which will have front-wheel-drive models with nine-speed automatic transmissions.

Fiat Chrysler Group director of corporate affairs Karla Leach wouldn’t confirm the addition of a rear-wheel-drive variants, stating that: “variants and pricing will be confirmed at the local launch in early July”.
http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...501-2isyq.html

My comment ...as if Territory doesn't have enough competition to fight, now.