Continuing the Cherokee tradition
NASREC, Johannesburg – Since the introduction of the Jeep® Cherokee mid-sized SUV in 2002, its excellent balance of on-road refinement and off-road ruggedness and capabilities have continued to push the range to become one of the brand’s best-sellers around the globe.
Maintaining Jeep’s determined drive to deliver vehicles, which surpass customers’ expectations, is the strong Cherokee Renegade. With a variable geometry turbo 2,8l common-rail diesel engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, the Renegade also boasts a host of exterior, interior and technical improvements to further set it apart from the competition.
2,8 CRD engine leads powertrain range
The 2.8l common-rail diesel (CRD) engine, with its variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) and rapid throttle response, enables the Cherokee to claim best-in-class torque of 400 Nm at 1 800 r/min, towing capacity of up to 3 500 kg and driving range of 725 km.
The 2,8 VGT CRD engine is mated as standard to a five-speed automatic transmission and offers fully automatic gears selection. This transmission is shared with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and features quieter operation when shifting between Park and Drive and the fitting of a turbine damper to improve noise vibration and harshness (NVH).
Fresh exterior styling
The Jeep Cherokee range was given a refreshed exterior towards the end of 2004 with a new front fascia, grille, fog lamps, fender flares, body-side mouldings and new standard roof-rack rails and wheels. These changes have stood up to the ravages of time maintaining Cherokee’s fresh look and typical Jeep appearance.
The Renegade also features standard tow hooks, three skid plates (under the transfer case, fuel tank and front suspension) and an overhead light bar. Visual enhancements that further distinguish the Renegade include roof-rack rails, functional side rock rails and skid plate appliqué below the front bumper, all painted bright silver.
Interior complements the exterior
Interior changes were made to enhance the comfort, practicality and appearance of the vehicle. Customers have a choice of lighter interior colours that accentuate their spacious cabins, new front seats for improved comfort, new rear seats that fold flatter and easier-to-use controls with improved ergonomics.
The Cherokee Renegade has a lighter coloured trim to highlight interior space, while the centre stack bezel and gear selector bezel are finished in Silver Mini Carbon. The Renegade can also be ordered in Khaki/Light Greystone leather or Slate Grey/Light Slate Grey leather.
Seats are also improved through the use of dual-density foam assist on-road refinement. In addition to being more comfortable and providing improved lumbar support, the seats have a more contemporary look with contours, sew styles and fabrics. The same type of foam is used for seats in the new Chrysler 300C models.
Front seats have cushions, which are 5 mm longer and seat inserts that are 10 mm wider to accommodate larger occupants. The backrest is wider at shoulder height to ensure occupants do not feel “squeezed”.
Alterations to the profile of both the rear cushion and backrest have reduced the rear seat-fold angle, providing a flatter load floor for increased utility and improved cargo storage. The backrest and cushion split one-third/two-thirds and when folded.
Instrument cluster graphics – white letters on a grey background – provide greater visibility at twilight and dusk and give a more refined look. Chromed bezels distinguish the Renegade from other models.
Mounted on the centre stack, the heating/ventilation/air conditioning controls retain three rotary dials, but have separate AC and heated rear window select buttons.
Wheels and Tyres
16 inch “Icon” painted five-spoke alloys are standard on the Renegade along with 235/70 R16 tyres.
NVH and Refinement
To keep ahead of customer expectations, the new Cherokee Renegade incorporates a host of measures to reduce NVH and enhance refinement across all aspects of the vehicle’s operation.
To ensure that the new 2.8l model matches the very best-in-class for refinement, a total of 41 measures were undertaken in three noise areas – source, structure and acoustics.
As well as structural items, such as improved-isolation engine/transmission mounts and a stiffer cross-member supporting the drivetrain, a total of 25 acoustic components absorb and subdue noise. These include an acoustic engine cover, belly pan, bonnet liner and transmission tunnel liner outside the cabin and new noise-absorbing carpets inside the cabin.
