2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee spied in Victoria... again

UPDATE, October 22: The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee was spied undergoing testing in Victoria again yesterday, this time down in the Mornington Peninsula with a back-up vehicle in tow.

Although we've already been treated to an undisguised look at the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee, learning the new model will be offered with a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, it's not due for an international debut until late 2021.

As such, the photos reveal Jeep is pressing ahead with the model's development programme in Australia, which it says will prove crucial in shoring up the SUV's ruggedness.

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To speculate, the pictures put this pair within range of the Lang Lang proving ground, which has been open to development work from other manufacturers since GM sold the site to Vinfast.

Either way, given we know what the next Grand Cherokee looks like under those clothes, our spy pics build anticipation to learn how the popular SUV drives – with only these details and the video down below to guide us for now.

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THE STORY SO FAR...

August 25: A camouflaged prototype of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee has been spied in Melbourne, with video capturing the large SUV undergoing local testing as it readies for a global launch this year.

Wheels caught the right-hand-drive prototype leaving a vehicle facility near Melbourne's airport. It was bearing a heavy layer of dirt on its short-wheelbase body, presumably from tackling unsealed roads.

We've contacted Stellantis for specific details on the sighting, but official details on the new generation Grand Cherokee will be announced in the coming weeks in lieu of the New York Motor Show – which was cancelled due to COVID-19.

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Although we have already seen the new five-seat Grand Cherokee unmasked after Jeep released pictures of the newly created hybrid variant, known as the 4xe, it's surprising that we're only just now catching the prototype in the wild.

Jeep has boasted the new Grand Cherokee – which is based on a platform shared with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio – has undergone testing at extreme locations all over the world.

Earlier this year, global president Christian Meunier told WhichCar the local testing was being used to investigate the Grand Cherokee's suitability for towing – admitting that this capability will be crucial in cracking the Australian market.

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2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe

The Grand Cherokee's seven-seat long-wheelbase twin, the L, has already been launched in America with a 3200kg towing rating. The L will launch in Australia around the fourth quarter of this year, lockdown permitting. Globally, it's sold with a pair of engines including a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 and 3.6-litre V6. Diesel power has been dropped for this generation.

Rumours posit the new Grand Cherokee could possibly debut a Jeep-developed inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. Still, we'll have to wait for Jeep to announce official details on the fifth-generation Grand Cherokee to be sure. Not long now.

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Our video at least offers an early sound bite on the prototype's powertrain from the outside. As it gets moving, its noisy idle evolves into a hollow-sounding, low-speed exhaust note – suggesting this is not the 5.7-litre V8.

What do you think it's packing? Have a watch and let us know in the comments below.