New York 2009: 2011 Grand Cherokee

Today is SUV and crossover debut day at the New York International Auto Show! Land Rover has rolled out three SUV's and Jeep has released information and pictures on it's 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee crossover as well.

We already got a good look at the Grand Cherokee ahead of New York, thanks to Chrysler's Viability Plan shown to the U.S Government. The Grand Cherokee, along with the 300C, show a similar vein of development inside and out. They're much improved and reimagined to suit a wider range of customers.

The design is a lot better then the previous Grand Cherokee, with a more smoothed out look. It's at the same time more aggressive and yet - what's the right word? - blander. It's a good thing though; the Grand Cherokee is a very handsome SUV. Less Jeep-like? Maybe, but that is what Chrysler is trying to achieve here. I assume brand differences and characteristics are going to take less of a precedence here as Chrysler goes all-in to survive.

In fact, that's why Chrysler is showing this vehicle early. Notice the 2011 model year designation. Chrysler is eager to show it's progress to the public and build a case for it's viability. It's a similar case to when Ford released details about the Flex way ahead of it's scheduled release.

Nice, clean and more palatable to the mainstream crossover-buying masses. The greenhouse looks more crossover like then the previous model, which looked like a full body-on-frame SUV, something it never was.

Check out the deep door panel dents! They make a dramatic statement and help to provide visual breakup to the design. The 2011 Grand Cherokee is longer and wider. Overall length is increased by 1.8 inches, with an increased wheelbase of 5.3 inches. The longer wheelbase helps to make for more interior room and cargo space. Width is also increased by 3 inches.

Chrysler Vice-President of Design Ralph Gilles has done an excellent job here on the design, helping to offer a better design along with functional improvements of increased space, ease of entry, aerodynamics and off-road abilities.

Nowhere is the leap in Chrysler's design development process more apparent then in the interior. The design is smoother, more refined and a lot more upscale. I like the new door panels, although they do look similar to another vehicle I've seen recently. Tigher panel gaps and new options like a twin-panel panoramic roof help up the luxury quotient significantly.

That steering wheel is very cool, I like the thick spokes and big round centerpiece. Very nice!

Switchgear is also much improved, with elegant new controls. Refinement is the name of the game; the Grand Cherokee is in a class above where it occupied before. The radio is controlled by the touchscreen in the dash.

Structural rigidity is improved by 146%, a figure that beats Toyota's Highlander and the BMW X5. The Grand Cherokee accomplishes two goals; increased off-road abilities and a more mainstream design inside and out. I wonder if there will be some price drops to accompany it as well?

The new Grand Cherokee is Trail Rated (again) and is the first application of the company's new flex-fuel Pheonix V6, making 280 horsepower and 260 foot pounds of torque. Jeep expects for the V6 to account for 50 percent of sales this time, a huge change from 75 percent V8 mix that is the case currently.

It's clear the new Grand Cherokee is expected to reach a much wider audience while not leaving the brand's traditional off-road loyalists behind. In that I think they've achieved their goal. The Grand Cherokee should be a success - if Chrysler is still around then, that is.....