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Jeep goes Overland with Grand Cherokee

Over and out: Jeep's Overland nameplate has been revived for a limited-edition Grand Cherokee.

Outgoing Jeep Grand Cherokee’s last hurrah revives an old name

6 April 2010

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

WITH the all-new fourth-generation WK Grand Cherokee only months away from going on sale in America, with Australia set to follow in 2011, the current WH range has been modified in its final year to improve performance, economy and value for money.

In comes the Overland again, this time as a limited run of just 50 vehicles. A fixture of the previous-generation WJ series from 1999 to 2005, it brings an uprated version of Chrysler’s famous 5.7-litre Hemi V8 petrol engine as well as a better Quadra-Drive II 4WD system.

Simultaneously replacing the old 223kW/445Nm 4.7-litre as well in the $66,690 Limited V8 as the 240kW/500Nm 5.7-litre in the Limited Hemi V8, the $68,990 Overland includes VVT Variable Valve Timing to help produce 259kW of power and 520Nm of torque. As with all WK Grand Cherokees, the sole gearbox offering is a five-speed automatic.

The 5.7-litre Hemi also features the company’s Multi-Displacement System that cuts out four cylinders during low-load situations such as when cruising gently on an open road. Jeep says the system works seamlessly to bring real fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions cuts.

JeepGrand Cherokee center image Jeep says that more than $10,000 worth of options are packed into the Overland, including high intensity discharge Xenon headlights, front and rear parking radar, rear camera, rain-sensitive automatic wipers, specially tinted glass, 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, real wood trim accents, powered front seats, dual-zone air-conditioning, sunroof, heated door mirrors, heated seats all-round, a 276W audio/infotainment system, satellite navigation system and Bluetooth connectivity.

Jeep’s Quadra-Drive II drivetrain combines the NV245 full-time transfer case with Electronic Limited Slip Differentials (ELSD) for what the company calls “best-in-class tractive performance”. Basically this 4WD system detects tyre slippage instantly and distributes torque to the wheels with the best traction.

With the new Overland in tow, Jeep has consolidated the MY10 WK Grand Cherokee range to the unchanged 160kW/510Nm 3.0-litre V6 CRD diesel in base Laredo and up-spec Limited guise, as well as the high-performance SRT8 flagship boasting Chrysler’s 313kW/569Nm 6.1-litre V8 Hemi.

In line with the federal government’s tariff cut on January 1 this year, all prices are down between $700 (CRD Laredo) and $1000 (SRT8).

2010 WK Grand Cherokee MY10 pricing

3.0 CRD Laredo (a): $59,990

3.0 CRD Limited (a): $68,990

5.7 Hemi Overland (a): $68,990

6.1 Hemi SRT-8 (a): $91,990