Jeep Grand Cherokee

At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the all-new Jeep_® Grand Cherokee will debut a new, optional 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine available for Europe and other diesel markets. The new engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient and produces lower emissions than its predecessor.

Built by VM Motori and developed together with Fiat Powertrain, company of Fiat S.p.a., the new 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine produces maximum power of 177 kW (241 hp DIN) at 4,000 rpm and torque of 550 N•m (406 lb-ft) at 1,800-2,800 rpm. This translates to 10 percent more power and eight percent more torque than the engine it replaces.

Even with its improved performance, fuel economy for the new 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine is 8.3 L/100km on the combined cycle, an improvement of 17 percent over the prior diesel engine. CO₂ emissions (combined cycle) are also reduced by 17 percent, now at 218 g/km.

The new V6 turbodiesel is fitted with new-generation, 1800 bar injectors with new MultiJet II technology, developed and patented by Fiat Powertrain and which made its début in 2009 on the 1.3 Small Diesel Engine equipped on the Punto Evo.

The new 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine features a compressed graphite iron, 60-degree block with aluminum cylinder heads and a two-piece structural aluminum oil pan. Bore is 83 mm (3.27 in) and stroke is 92 mm (3.62 in) for a total displacement of 2987 cm³ (182 in³). Bore spacing is 96 mm (3.78 in).

The engine is compact and lightweight, with overall dimensions of 695 mm (27.36 in) in length, 729 mm (28.7 in) in width and 697.5 mm (27.46 in) in height. Weight of the fully dressed new engine is 230 kg (507 lbs).

The engine block features a crankcase architecture with stiffened construction, including a bedplate that provides a rigid and stiff carrier for the crankshaft. This in turn helps reduce overall noise from the lower reciprocating assembly and contributes to significant improvements in overall noise, vibration and harshness.

Adding to the structural rigidity of the block, the two-piece aluminum oil pan has been designed to provide strength and contribute to the quietness of the engine. The lower pan has been reinforced for off-road use. Crankcase capacity is 7.7 L (2 gal).

Cylinder heads are constructed of aluminum and feature a chain-driven, dual overhead-camshaft design with four valves per cylinder. Intake valves measure 28 mm (1.1 in), and exhaust valves are 24.5 mm (0.96 in) in diameter. Combustion-chamber volume is 24.68 cm³ (1.51 in³).

A forged-steel crankshaft is supported by four main bearing journals fitted with four-bolt main bearing caps incorporated into the bedplate. Externally balanced, the crankshaft measures 442.2 mm (17.41 in), reducing the overall packaging requirements of the engine. Connecting rods, with an overall length of 162.9 mm (6.41 in), are constructed of cast iron.

Lightweight, cast-aluminum pistons are redesigned to provide minimal friction. The compression ratio of the new diesel engine is now 16.5:1, reduced from 18.1:1 on the previous model, contributing to cleaner combustion and providing more power.

All main bearings are a “lead free” design for reduced environmental impact during construction and later recycling of the engine.

The induction system includes swirl control to optimize combustion. Fitted between the intake system and the combustion chamber, the swirl control effectively provides an ideal air/fuel mixture at all levels of engine speed.

Precise fuel delivery is through a 1,800-bar common-rail fuel-injection system.

Thanks to the new MultiJet II technology, which makes use of a special balanced solenoid valve, the new injector is capable of making up to 8 injection per cycle with the possibility of managing the two main injections in a single modular profile (IRS – Injection Rate Shaping) thus guaranteeing a reduction in consumption and polluting emissions of approximately 2% compared to a traditional injector and ensuring a drastic reduction in noise levels.

The new 3.0-liter diesel engine utilizes a single Garrett VGT 2056 turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. Compact and lightweight, the turbocharger provides near-instant response and includes an air-to-air intercooler.

Fuel economy for the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine is rated at 10.3 L/100 km on the urban cycle and 7.2 L/100 km on the extra-urban cycle. For the combined cycle, the fuel economy is rated at 8.3 L/100 km.

The engine is designed to run on EN590 ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel.

For this engine, cast-iron exhaust manifolds are utilized. Additional emissions controls include a close-coupled diesel oxidation catalyst and standard diesel particulate filter. Euro 5 emissions are met through an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system that includes an EGR valve with DC motor and a high-performance EGR cooler with bypass valve.

CO₂ emissions are reduced to 270 g/km for the urban cycle and 188 g/km for the extra-urban cycle. Combined-cycle CO₂ emissions are now 218 g/km.

Jeep Grand Cherokee will be now offered in Europe with Laredo and Limited trim lines in addition to the Overland version. The Laredo and Limited trim lines will be available with the 3.6 V6 Pentastar and the new 3.0 turbodiesel engine while Overland will be available on all the engine line-up.

The 3.0-liter turbo diesel engine for the new-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee will be offered in European markets also as a low-output version, with 140 kW (190 hp DIN) of power at 4,000 rpm and 440 N•m (324 lb-ft) of torque across 1,600-2,800 rpm. The low-output version of the turbo diesel engine will be standard on Laredo models (optional on Limited). Creating a more affordable entry point to the new Jeep Gramd Cherokee lineup. This will allow Grand Cherokee to meet a wider potential market in Europe.

The new diesel engine will be available on the Jeep show-rooms end of the first semester and will join two petrol engines to round out the powertrain lineup.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee features the first application of the all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 petrol engine. This V-6 engine with variable valve timing (VVT) delivers 210 kW (286 hp DIN) of power and 347 N•m (256 lb-ft) of torque.

The Grand Cherokee is also available with the legendary 5.7-liter V-8 petrol engine. Also with VVT, this powerful engine delivers 259 kW (352 hp DIN) of power and 520 N•m (384 lb-ft) of torque. The engine’s Multi-displacement System (MDS) helps manage fuel efficiency and can cut fuel delivery to up to four cylinders under certain driving conditions.

Nearly two decades ago, Jeep reinvented the premium sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with the introduction of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. More than 4 million sales later, Jeep improves the formula and provides the ideal balance between iconic 4x4 capability and on-road refinement with the all-new Grand Cherokee.

The all-new Grand Cherokee delivers premium on-road performance while maintaining the Jeep brand’s legendary four-wheel-drive, torque-on-demand two-speed transfer case and unsurpassed towing capability. It also offers true American craftsmanship, a sleek new exterior design, a world-class interior cabin, improved fuel economy and a host of safety and technology features.

The all-new Quadra-Lift™ air suspension system is a first for Jeep, providing a total of 105 mm (4.1 in) of lift span. Quadra-Lift features five height settings and operates automatically or may be controlled manually via console controls. In addition, the all-new Selec-Terrain™ traction control system allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions in order to achieve the best driving experience on all terrains. New front and rear independent suspension systems deliver premium on-road handling and comfort.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2011, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Compass and Patriot. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with petrol and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

For the year 2010, Jeep sales globally were up 24 percent versus 2009. Jeep was the top-selling brand and currently comprises 50 percent of Chrysler Group’s international sales.

Jeep

Audi A3 concept in Geneva

Audi will present an attractive technological concept car based on the coming generation of the Audi A3 at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March 2011. The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family.

The sporty yet elegant design of the Audi A3 concept integra Audi will present an attractive technological concept car based on the coming generation of the Audi A3 at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March 2011. The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family.

The sporty yet elegant design of the Audi A3 concept integrates the single-frame grille with its tapered upper corners and headlights with the latest generation of LED technology. The low, flowing roof dome and a coupe-like, low C pillar are among the defining features of the side view.

Audi

MINI returns to Monte Carlo with old and new models.P%

MINI is back in Monte Carlo and this time it is the iconic version that won the famous rally in the sixties meeting up with the latest MINI WRC that sees the brand back on the world rally stage. Rauno Aaltonen (FI) was driving the 1960s version when he was greeted at the end of the Rallye Monte Carlo Historique in the early hours of the 2nd February by Kris Meeke (GB) and Dani Sordo (ES), the drivers who will revive the brand’s rallying tradition this year.

For Meeke and Sordo this is a stop on what is a busy schedule leading up to the first appearance of the MINI WRC on selected FIA World Rally Championship events in 2011, prior to a full assault on the championship in 2012. However, before that they will be heading from Monaco to Spain to put their brand new test car through its paces. Then on the 13th April comes the official launch of the MINI WRC Team at the plant in Cowley, Oxford (GB) where MINI models are produced.

Aaltonen, who won the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally in a works Mini, covered 4,101 kilometres on the rally that took him and his co-driver, Helmut Artacker, from the start in Marrakech on the 26th January to the principality’s harbour for the finish in the early hours of the 2nd February. His comments on the event were: “It has taken us a long time to get here and it was a good trip. In the old days a Mini in rallying form was rather uncomfortable, but in this Mini we had modern shock absorbers and it was so comfortable that after over 4,000 kilometres I am not tired at all. There was snow in places, but we were not told about this so we did not have the appropriate tyres and so lost over a hundred places. It was really busy on this last leg, we were really fighting hard and it was a great atmosphere.”

Also in Monte Carlo to greet Aaltonen was another famous Mini driver, Paddy Hopkirk from Northern Ireland, who won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964. Remembering that time he said: “It is very interesting to be here and I was delighted to see Rauno looking so well and the car looking so good. It is just great to see it all being revived. When we won it was not just motorsport news, but front page news and I even got a telegram from the Beatles and the Prime Minister and I was given the keys to Belfast. I do admire the talents of these guys. Kris took me around the Prodrive test track in the MINI WRC and it was absolutely fantastic.”

Meeke and Sordo are both keen to start their rally programme. “It is great for Dani and me to be competing for MINI and taking up that legendary spirit . Everything is going extremely well and I think the fundamental DNA of the car is very, very good. At this early stage of the development everyone is really excited as it seems to be hitting all the targets that were set out in the development phase, ” said Meeke.

SoThe MINI WRC is based on the MINI Countryman and is powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine derived from the MINI production models that has been developed by BMW Motorsport for use in series running to the FIA Series2000 Regulations, which also includes the FIA World Touring Car Championship. The MINI WRC has been developed by Prodrive, one of the most experienced and respected operations in rallying. This UK based company from Banbury has no less than six World Rally Championship titles to its name.

Mini