Rear Number Plate flips up to expose wheelnuts
The door mirrors fold in at the flick of a switch
The first time the 3.7 Sport is 'exposed' in the UK
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Some of us knew it was coming, but we could not tell you all. Why! Well it was ‘top secret’, the all new Cherokee was delivered to the Jeep Fest site on the Monday,just hours after most of you had gone home. But it was raining, so you might have been better off being at home.
It was delivered to the Jeep Fest site due to the fact that it was booked in for three days film work on the Rubi-Tong rocks.The reason why we could not tell you about its presence was due to the fact that it’s full press launch (here in the UK) is not due until the first week in September (now). So we were under strict orders not to tell anyone, sorry.
The last of the Jeep Fest crew were just clearing up the final bits and pieces when a fully enclosed transport truck came onto the site, closely followed by the ‘Jeep’ crew.The remaining Jeep Fest crew and I realised what was in the truck, and quickly dropped everything to go and see it.
Our luck was in, the truck dropped its tailgate, and low and behold, there were two. A Cherokee 3.7 litre Sport in red, and above that, a silver Limited model. The truck driver unloaded the new Cherokees and everyone got their cameras out, and started to take photos and have a good look around them both. The rain was still coming down (good job we hadn’t had Jeep Fest on Monday), so they were soon driven away to a drier and safer area.The Limited one was taken to a marquee for full filming and interior photos, and we were left with the Sport model.
Before we knew it there was a queue for quick test drives. Barry Stallard was kind enough to let one and all have a quick run in this new Cherokee Sport around the field, followed by a test run over the DaimlerChrysler Jeep demo course, followed by a short run around the Tong perimeter blue route, Some of us continued to pack up, whilst everyone had their turn. Then at around midday Barry let me have a (reluctant) go. Starting off on very wet grass, I slowly pressed on the right foot peddle, and within a Millisecond, the new 3.7 litre motor kicked in, and she ran across the wet field with ease, without any loss of traction on the wet grass.
Then Barry said to me, let’s try out the (now) very wet and muddy demo course.With only a slight acceleration, the 3.7 litre motor climbed the first hill with total ease, although the side slope on the other side was a little tricky, but the Cherokee kept its grip. Every climb and descent after this point appeared to be very easy, although I’m sure the mud tyres helped, as it can’t have been me - the driver. Although I did notice that Barry was keeping his eyes peeled for ‘Ditches’.
Then it was off into the woods to drive the perimeter track (at speed), although still in low box (you never know). At speed on wet and muddy tracks, the steering felt very positive, it also handled very well too. As for the bumps (what bumps), the new coil suspension works a treat. Even though it could not iron out all the bumps (what 4x4 can) I did notice one major difference between the new and old Cherokee. That was leg and more importantly - head room, bags more room even for me, with long legs and at just over 6ft talIThis to me just had to be a big improvement, as there were loads of room between my head and the roof. But the ride was short lived, as there were others waiting to have a go. Although I returned later that afternoon to take her on the rocks and have a better and closer look.
Before I go on, three things I would like to point Out. First, I did not get the chance to drive her on the road, as she was not registered. So when I get the chance to do that, I will let you know my thoughts on road handling. Second, what can I compare her to, as to be quite honest, I have never driven a Cherokee (now old shape) for long periods, and it would not be fair to compare it to an old CJ-7, although some of the crew that did drive her (who currently own Cherokees), said the new one was much better. Finally, there is no point in giving you the specification list on this new Cherokee, as I covered that in issue number 27 of Jeep World, so please refer to that for all the other information etc.
That afternoon, Mike Scott ‘DC off road driver’ and myself managed to sneak her away for a little play on the rocks ‘The Rubi-Tong’, and even though it was still wet, she went everywhere with ease, and with the better ground clearance and departure angles, she never hit the rocks at all (although we did not take her on the black routes).The main idea of taking her on the rocks was for photos, while at the same time, it gave me a good chance to look her over. Now some people do not like this new shape, while I personally feel she looks great.
The current trend is for ‘soft roader’ 4x4’s, and even though the new Cherokee may look similar to a soft roader, ‘a soft Roader she is not’. Other features that I liked, was that this 3.7 litre Sport was an auto, to date no Sport models (UK) have ever come with autos.The number plate is no longer fitted to the bumper, it now sits on the rear spare wheel, and just by flicking the number plate over, you can get to the spare wheel nuts with ease for removal of the spare.
As for the side-view mirrors, at the flick of a switch they retract inwards, so that they do not get in the way while off roading in dense trees. The guys in the design department would appear to be listening to off-road/Jeep owners, as this new Cherokee has its air intake well above the radiator area, in fact the air intake is placed above the engine compartment,and has a final covering which is fitted to the underside of the bonnet, so that once it is shut, there is a very sealed in air intake area, Although we did not go and test this out for water depth, I am sure it has to be a vast improvement on the old design, which used to be at the bottom of the radiator.
I personally like the new look, curves, round headlights, off road performance, its stance. I feel that when it hits the streets in October (with similar prices to the outgoing model) the all new Cherokee is set to be a winner, so watch out all you ‘soft roader’ Freelander and other soft roader owners, this new Cherokee is here to stay in a big way, and ‘it ain’t no soft roader’ for sure, it’s a Jeep through and through. If you fancy one, call into your Jeep dealer now, as by now they are sure to have tons of info about it.
One up for me and the others!
Barry Stallard, the famed designer of the Rubi-Tong and head of off-roading for Daimler Chrysler UK was the very last person to test out the Cherokee on the off road course. He kindly let everyone else have a run around before he took the wheel (Its about time he came last in something). As and when I get hold of one on the road, I will give you my views.
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