Jeep launches Wrangler & Grand Cherokee in India
Jeep launches Wrangler Unlimited and Grand Cherokee in India as CBUs. Local production to commence from 2017. It may have taken Jeep a while but the American firm is finally here as it launched the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models in the country today.
By Shivank Bhatt
Jeep launches Wrangler Unlimited and Grand Cherokee in India as CBUs. Local production to commence from 2017.
It may have taken Jeep a while but the American firm is finally here as it launched the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models in the country today. The Wrangler will be available in a single four-door, Wrangler Unlimited, whereas the Grand Cherokee will be offered in three variants, including the high-performance SRT derivative. All the models are currently being sold as CBUs although local assembly is set to begin sometime in 2017.
The Wrangler is the entry-level ticket to the Jeep brand in India. Priced at Rs 71.59 lakh, this body-on-frame off-roader will be offered in only one variant – Wrangler Unlimited 4x4. Powering the India-spec Wrangler is a 2.8-litre, inline-4 cylinder, turbo diesel engine developing 197bhp @ 3,600rpm and 460Nm of peak-torque between 1,600 – 2,600rpm. Power will be sent to all four wheels via a 5-speed automatic and Jeep’s Command Trac 4x4 system.
While it looks crude on the outside, it is decently equipped for a purpose-built SUV since it comes with leather seats, an Alpine music system, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, voice command, etc. It will also come with removable doors along with a modular removable hard/soft top.
The Grand Cherokee, however, is going to be the mainstay for the Jeep brand in India. It’s available in three variants – Limited, Summit and SRT. At the lower end sits the Limited with a price-tag of Rs 93.64 lakh while the Summit is priced at Rs 1.03 crore. The flagship SRT is priced at Rs 1.12 crore.
The Limited and Summit are powered by a Fiat-developed 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel that produces 240bhp @ 3,600rpm and 570Nm @ 2,000rpm. The SRT on the other hand is propelled by a fire-breathing 6.4-litre Hemi V8 petrol that churns out 469bhp @ 6,250rpm and 624Nm @ 4,100rpm. Power in all three variants is channeled to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox, which also comes with paddle shifters.
On the inside, the Grand Cherokee variants come with an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, leather seats and a customisable 7-inch instrument cluster among other highlights. The SRT adds a few more bells and whistles over the Limited and Summit variants. It gets selectable driving modes, adaptive suspension, uprated Brembo brakes with multiple piston-rotors and a ‘Launch Control’ button - which when engaged will push the SRT from a naught to 100km/h in just 5 seconds!
Jeep plans to open 10 dealerships by the end of this fiscal year. The company has also confirmed that it will launch an all-new SUV – presumably based on the Renegade – in India once the local production commences.
*All the prices are indicative of ex-showroom, Delhi.
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