IN an about-face worthy of any politician, Jeep has completely reinvented its staple Cherokee as an urban crossover.
Australia-bound in the last quarter of this year, the one-time ladder-on-frame 4WD has now morphed into a monocoque-bodied Toyota RAV4 rival, complete with a transverse engine installation and front-wheel drive option.
However, the controversially styled KL-series Cherokee will also be one of the first vehicles on the planet to present a nine-speed automatic transmission, as part of a massive technological push designed to make the Jeep icon safer, easier and more enjoyable to live with and to drive.
Using the Fiat Group’s ‘Compact US Wide’ modular platform, the newcomer shares much of its basic underpinnings with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Dodge Dart, while the body structure boasts a high and ultra-high strength steel content of about 65 per cent.
Besides bringing car-like ride and handling characteristics courtesy of the independent front and rear suspension layout, Jeep reckons the move helps save hundreds of kilograms and slashes fuel consumption by over 30 per cent in the overhauled 203kW/324Nm 3.2-litre Pentastar V6 petrol.
Better still, there is a windfall upwards of 45 per cent for customers of the 131kW/231Nm 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol powered models – compared to the old Cherokee.
Additionally, Jeep will offer a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel option.
Like the new Ford Kuga launched mid next month, only the base Cherokee (Sport) will have its front wheels driven, with the mid-spec Longitude and luxury Limited offering all-wheel drive and two power transfer unit choices – regular and low-range.
However, keener off-road enthusiasts will still be served by what Jeep claims is the compact SUV segment’s best go-anywhere crossover, the Cherokee Trailhawk range-topper.
Among other features, it adds a 4WD lock mechanism complete with a 56:1 crawl ratio (with the 2.4L; 47.8:1 in V6 cars), a locking rear differential, and raised suspension for improved ground clearance compared to the other models.
A Land Rover Terrain Response-style Selec-Terrain system also lays out up to five selectable off-road modes – Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Mud, and Rock.
Trailhawk will become a mainstay across the entire Jeep range from here on in, after a toe-in-the-water exercise as a limited-edition model on the larger – and recently facelifted – Grand Cherokee.
Driver-aid technologies set to debut on upper-spec Oz-bound Cherokees include automatic parking, blind spot and lane-departure warnings, radar-guided cruise control, and rear cross-path detection, while ten airbags will be standard across the range.
Jeep has also made a concerted effort to improve space and packaging efficiency, while a multi-configurable instrument cluster, advanced multi-media touchscreen technology, and even a wireless mobile-phone charger pad are all available.
Like before, Australian-bound Cherokees will hail from the Toledo, Ohio facility in North America.
LOVERS of ‘My Family’ stickers rejoice!
Toyota has rolled out its third-generation Kluger in New York this week, promising more space, improved refinement, and better driveability.
Known Stateside as the Highlander – a name denied to the T-brand Downunder thanks to some canny trademark manoeuvres courtesy of the Kluger-clubbing Hyundai Santa Fe, ironically enough – the midsized seven-seater SUV is set for an Australian debut in the second quarter of 2014.
In fact, production won’t even commence until December 6 this year, with Toyota’s Indiana plant becoming the sole global supplier for Highlander/Kluger worldwide (outside of China – which will serve its own version for local consumption).
Following in the footsteps of the latest Corolla and RAV4, the king-sized Kluger has been Camry-fied with sharper edges and sleeker headlights, in a body that is slightly larger in virtually all dimensions.
However, the blunt snout adopts an Audi Single Frame Grille-style visage, giving the Calty-designed Kluger a distinctly aggressive American look.
Achieving palpably better interior quality, practicality, functionality, and versatility have been core Kluger development priorities since the project commenced about four years ago, with the engineering team based in Japan as well as in America.
Beneath the all-new monocoque body is the latest iteration of Toyota’s K-platform front-wheel drive architecture that also underpins the Camry/Aurion twins, featuring a longer wheelbase and wider track for significantly more space inside.
In North America the three-row seating is available in a 2+3+3 arrangement, or enough for eight people if maths isn’t your forte. However Toyota is likely to stick with the existing seven-seater layout.
To improve overall packaging while helping liberate space inside, Toyota has ditched the rear coil springs for a double wishbone set-up, which also promises to improve the SUV’s ride and handling capabilities.
As with the current Kluger, the newcomer will offer all-wheel as well as front-wheel drive iterations, though the company is making no off-road capability claims for what is essentially a Ford Territory/Hyundai Santa Fe/Kia Sorento rival.
Whether the new 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine will join the revised 3.5-litre V6 in Australia is not yet known (but highly probable), while the Hybrid version introduced in America several years ago has not yet been flagged for us either.
On the other hand, one Toyota spokesman revealed that a diesel version for the Kluger is under development – although it may still be too far away to see the light of day for this new generation version.
The only transmission on offer will be a revised version of the Aisin six-speed automatic gearbox, while a new electric rack and pinion steering system will also feature.
Eight airbags and a much improved stability and traction control system will be standardised across the range.
New-to-Kluger options include blind spot and lane-departure warning technology, automatic HID headlights, and radar-controlled automatic cruise control.
The legendary Camaro Z/28 badge has been relaunched by Chevrolet, and the new model’s specs will make muscle car fans drool!
The famous badge was first introduced to a raw and ready high-performance 5.0-litre V8 Camaro in 1967, but the new model uses a 375kW 7.0-litre (or 427 cubic-inches in the old scale) V8 featured in the blistering HSV W427 and track pack Corvette Z06.
Chevrolet saw fit to lighten the car by 135kg, fit much larger brakes, hip-hugging bucket seats and a shorter final drive ratio for better acceleration, before beefing up the styling to differentiate the new street and strip brawler from lesser offerings and the big brother supercharged ZL1 Camaro range-topper.
No official performance figures have been released for the aggressive two-door and there is no word on whether the Z/28 will come to Australia, even though it is based on the same platform architecture as Australia’s own Holden Commodore (and Holden-run Camaros have been spied driving around Melbourne for years now). It’s still nice to dream, though!
KIA is set to jump-start its long-promised but still-dormant performance image with turbo versions of the all-new Koup, as well as the facelifted Optima and Sportage models.
Though not as yet confirmed for Australia, the forced-induction petrol engines will most probably supplant rather than replace the existing atmo engines offered.
If given the green light, they will come hot on the heels of the all-new Pro_Cee’d GT hot hatch, released earlier this month in Geneva, and due to land Downunder early in the first quarter of 2014.
According to Kia Motors Australia PR manager, Kevin Hepworth, while internal discussions are underway right now for an extended turbo range beyond the Pro_Cee’d GT, the latter currently has priority over the others for Oz.
“We’ve already confirmed the Pro_Cee’d GT for Australia, that will be here early next year, and that’s what we’re focussing on right now,” he told Wheels in New York this week.
“That will be the performance priority (over the Koup at this stage). Beyond that, everything is still under discussion and up in the air.”
Expected late this year, the all-new, second-generation, Koup two-door will most probably be offered with two engine choices for Australia, beginning with a variation of the 132kW/209Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam four-cylinder petrol unit shared with the new YD-series Cerato sedan on which it is based upon.
If Kia Oz does get the Koup turbo thumbs-up, it will most likely be the 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection unit, which also drives the front wheels of the Pro_Cee’d GT.
Whether the anticipated seven-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission earmarked for the hot hatch is part of the Koup Turbo package is still unknown. That gearbox, by the way, brings a 10 per cent performance boost compared to the standard six-speed manual.
In contrast, the proposed Sportage and Optima Turbos are in line to leverage the 204kW/369Nm 2.0-litre turbo four-pot engine available in the United States.
As a flagship proposition, it would most likely be offered in conjunction with the 122kW/197Nm 2.0 and 130kW/227Nm 2.4-litre atmo-petrol units currently serving the existing Sportage, as well as the Optima’s more advanced 148kW/250 GDI direct-injection 2.4 engine.
Australian buyers will see the facelifted Optima in about February next year, while the Sportage makeover has yet to be revealed.
Still on forced-induction technology, the second-generation Rondo seven-seater MPV people mover will initially be a turbo-diesel only affair when it surfaces in June – with a 100kW/330Nm 1.7-litre CRDi four-cylinder unit beating away under its stubby bonnet.
The hunt for Editor Corby’s next long term test car is over.
The Jaguar XJR, unveiled at the New York Auto Show this week, will be the company’s fastest four-door when it goes on sale later this year.
With 405kW of supercharged performance, sports suspension and a subtle sports bodykit, Jaguar expects the XJR to do 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, two-tenths quicker than the current Jaguar speed king, the XFR, and just a tenth shy of its nearest rival, the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG.
The new XJR will be the fourth model from Jaguar’s R performance brand after the XKR coupe and convertible, and the XFR mid-size sedan.
It’s based on the XJ limousine, Jaguar’s rival to the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-class, and will wear a price tag just shy of $400,000 when it hits Australia around November 2013, a premium of almost $40,000 over the XJ Supersport on which it is based.
The extra money cranks the 375kW/625Nm supercharged V8 up to 405kW and 680Nm, and brings a more responsive sport mode for the eight-speed transmission.
The XJR’s suspension has been overhauled with new springs and active dampers, and a bespoke active electronic differential said to provide better traction under acceleration.
The steering system has also been finessed to provide better weighting and feedback, and a ‘Track’ setting added to the electronic stability control. Specially developed 20inch Pirelli tyres are 20mm wider front and rear.
The new F-Type’s high performance braking option completes the XJR’s mechanical modifications.
According to Mike Cross, Jaguar’s drift king and chief engineer, “the XJR offers greater steering precision, higher levels of control and enhanced high speed stability, with little trade-off in refinement”.
Visual changes are designed to subtly communicate the XJR’s enhanced abilities without overpowering the car’s luxury positioning.
A deep front spoiler with twin air intakes, sports skirt on the side that reduces drag, and vestigial rear spoiler are the most obvious telltales, along with unique 20inch black alloy wheels.
Range Rover says the new Sport released at the New York Auto Show this week has been refocused to emphasise on-road agility, but not at the expense of Range Rover’s trademark offroad ability.
The new Range Rover Sport is based on the same all-aluminium architecture as the Vogue, and is up to 420kg lighter depending on drivetrain.
It shares the Vogue’s 2915mm wheelbase (which is 68mm longer than the old Sport) but is 145mm shorter and 55mm lower than the Vogue, so it cuts a sportier silhouette. Model for model, the Sport is 45kg lighter than the bigger Vogue.
The Sport will launch with four engines late in 2013, including a new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 good for 250kW and 450Nm.
The 375kW, 5.0-litre supercharged V8 carries over, as does the entry level oiler, a 3.0-litre turbodiesel now with 190kW and 600Nm. A more powerful version of the same engine brings an extra 25kW but is not confirmed for Australia.
Early in 2014 Land Rover will add a 4.4-litre V8 turbodiesel with 250kW and 700Nm, followed by a hybrid and an inline four-cylinder petrol.
The hybrid is confirmed for Australia, but not the I4.
“We’re waiting to see performance figures,” said Land Rover Australia’s Tim Krieger.
For more on those two engines, see our other story, here Range Rover goes green
All bar the inline four-cylinder petrol engine are shared with the bigger Vogue, but Land Rover insists the Sport is 75 percent unique.
“We were keen to increase the differentiation between the Range Rover [Vogue] and the Sport”, said design director Phil Simmons. “We’ve given the Sport shorter overhangs and a high beltline. It also has a faster windshield rake and lower roofline for a more sporting profile.”
Dynamically the new Sport has a distinctly different character to the Vogue, says Sport programme chief engineer Stuart Frith.
“Our emphasis was on agility. We wanted to create the fastest, most agile and most responsive Land Rover ever.”
To that end, the Sport gets a two-mode on-road driving program to go with the plethora of offroad programs in its Terrain Response system, now in its second generation. Dynamic Mode employs an active locking rear differential and modifies steering assistance, throttle response, damper rates and ESC response to deliver a more sporting drive.
The Sport also has a faster overall steering ratio which should address Wheels’ criticism of the Vogue’s slow-turn-in.
The Sport is the first Range Rover to feature a torque vectoring system, which uses the brakes to transfer drive to the outside wheels during cornering, said to reduce understeer — also an issue with the Vogue, as Wheels found out while conducting a comparo for the magazine’s May issue.
Range Rover also unveiled a seven-seat configuration for the Range Rover Sport, though it preferred calling it “5+2”.
This third row of seating will be an option on Sport, but not on Vogue. The reason, apparently, is that Vogue owners are more likely to haver other cars for this purpose, whereas Sport owners are not.
Not content with knocking a hefty 400kg from the latest generations Range Rover Vogue and Sport, now Range Rover wants to be known as a green car company.
Later this year the British 4WD maker will add a turbodiesel hybrid to the new Range Rover Vogue and Sport ranges, and an economical four-cylinder petrol model to the Sport alone.
Land Rover made the announcements at the VIP reveal of the second-generation Range Rover Sport prior to the New York Auto Show.
The Range Rover Sport shares the Vogue’s all-aluminium architecture which reduces vehicle weights by up to 420kg.
One model, said chief programme engineer Stuart Frith, comes in under two-tonnes.
“That was a headline target during development, to get a model under two tonnes, and we managed to achieve this on the I4 model that will launch during the lifecycle of the Sport.”
That I4 is likely to be the 177kW / 340Nm 2.0-litre engine from the Evoque and Freelander, and also known to Aussies in 179kW/353Nm form in the Ford Falcon. Land Rover Australia is waiting to see if real-world performance figures live up to the ‘Sport’ moniker before stamping its passport.
The forthcoming Range Rover Sport Hybrid won’t have as much of a positive weight story to tell because Wheels understands components like the electric motor and Lithium-ion battery pack add upwards of 200kg to the vehicle’s kerb weight. Range Rover says the hybrid will bring significant economy improvements to both the Vogue and the Sport.
“With the Hybrid we will go from a vehicle with 25mpg to over 45mpg,” said Nick Rogers, vehicle line director.
In metric terms that means reducing consumption from 9.4l/100km to just 5.2l/100km, impressive for a two-tonne SUV. These numbers, though, refer purely to highway mileage. A true combined cycle is likely to be 6.4L/100km if Land Rover’s boast of 169g/km is accurate.
The hybrid system combines the 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine with a 35kW electric motor connected to the transmission, so hybrid drive will go to all four wheels.
A 1.7kWh lithium battery pack will store captured energy. Range Rover hybrids will be able to accelerate at low speeds purely under electric power. The system will also aid the turbodiesel engine during aggressive acceleration.
The only other hybrid SUV currently is the Porsche Cayenne hybrid, whose 3.0-litre V6 petrol-electric drivetrain produces 279kW and 580Nm, and is rated at 7.1L/100km.
Land Rover says the hybrid’s electrics and batteries are all protected so as not to compromise the car’s offroad skills or water-wading ability.
Click here for details on the new Range Rover Sport
Jaguar claims the XKR-S GT, revealed at the New York Auto Show this week, is the fastest production car the company has ever built.
It is based on the XK Coupe, yet every performance aspect has been modified, says Jaguar.
More power, track suspension, aero bodykit and carbon ceramic brakes are all about making the XKR-S GT accelerate, brake and corner harder than any Jaguar before it.
“It is the fastest, most track-oriented car we have ever built,” Jaguar marketing boss Stephen de Ploey told Wheels. “It’ll do 0-100km/h in 4.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 300km/h. We believe it’ll lap the Nurburgring in 7m 40s.”
The XKR-S GT is based on the XK Coupe, and packs an uprated 5.0-litre supercharged V8 good for 405kW and 680Nm.
This image of the 2015 Subaru WRX Concept has been leaked to rave reviews.
Taking styling cues from their BRZ sports car and recent Viziv SUV concept (along with some hints of Audi, Mercedes and BMW), the tough-looking four-door sports a super-sleek roofline and very wide track, while the large bonnet scoop hints at a turbocharged FA 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder under the bonnet. The big news so far is that the WRX will become a standalone model, outside the Impreza range, as Nissan did with the new GT-R.
German high-performance tuning specialist Mansory has collaborated with luxury golf kart maker Garia to create one of the world’s most exotic golf machines.
Only seven Garia Mansory Currus Roadsters will be built; all with a leather trimmed dash, custom seats, and carbonfibre rear body. It even offers Golf, Street and Race driving modes, and boasts a club-rattling top speed of 60km/h.
The lightweight flier is fitted with lithium batteries for an extended ‘driving’ range of up to 60 km, and is street legal in Europe!
Garia designer and creative director, Anders Lynge, claims, “The Garia Roadster is really the closest you get to a golf car version of your favourite luxury sports car. We were inspired by the sense of freedom and joy you get from riding a sports car and we wanted to translate that experience to the golf course.”
The price? A slightly above par $83,000.
