Down Cherokee Trail

Offroaders have always held a special place in the hearts of the steering-happy lot who love the hard country mudbath. But these days these 4x4 power brutes have become the chosen mode for city slickers too.

The American answer to the typical European way of four-wheel power driving comes in the form of Cherokee. It is also a pure Jeep the legendary icon admired and desired the world over. While the Cherokee has been upgraded last year to spin off a new derivative, the Grand Cherokee, the base version, continues to do well in Europe. The Jeep Cherokee is still a major hit in Europe, offering a rare blend of style, functionality, performance and value underpinned by one of the most respected names in 4x4 vehicles.

 

With its understated styling, clean lines, compact exterior dimensions and a reputation for delivering rare driving satisfaction over a vast range of terrain, Jeep Cherokee enters the second half of the nineties with an immensely strong portfolio, further strengthened by the introduction of a new 2.5 litre turbo-diesel power unit and a revised 4-litre in-line gasoline engine. The advanced turbo-diesel used in this American icon comes from Italy. The VM Turbotronic unit is capable of meeting the EC emission requirements without a catalyst and can be termed one of the most sophisticated diesel motors around.

A thin-wall cast iron block (also used in Ferrari F50 and our very own Fiat Uno), designed to withstand high bending and torsional loads, is topped by four individual light alloy cylinder heads. Painstakingly engineered pre-combustion and combustion chambers, a redesigned turbocharger and an air intercooler work in concert with state-of-the-art electronics to increase the efficiency of the 2499cc engine.

Exhaust gas circulation using an electronically controlled flow valve reduces nitrogen oxide levels, while the pre-combustion chamber reduces particulate and smoke emission, besides increasing power. In Cherokee, the Turbotronic engine delivers 120 bhp at a mere 2900 rpm and an exceptional 278 Nm of torque peak at just 1800 rpm, giving the vehicle an extremely responsive yet relaxed feel.

On the petrol front, a massive 4-litre motor with 160 bhp on tap takes care of all possible exigencies, on and off the road. Four-wheel buffs will also appreciate the peak torque of 301 Nm at a very low 3000 rpm that is good enough to pull a full-grown elephant with ease.

No wonder Europeans with a more adventurous bent are seriously considering the Cherokee option over the hyper-expensive Range Rovers. While the smaller Wrangler continues to capture that all-important old warhorse image of the Jeep, the Cherokee represents the top-end technology on offer from the US number three automobile giant, Chrysler.

With some luck, we would have had our very own Cherokees built in the country. But with the Chrysler and Mahindras marriage on the rocks, Cherokee is back in the realm of fantasy for the four-wheel drive enthusiasts of the country. But dont lose heart. With the advent of the offroader mania a la Discovery, its only a matter of time before Cherokee finds itself in India. Do not forget where there is a Jeep, there is a way. Chryslers Jeep Cherokee offers a rare blend of style, functionality,

performance and value.