Back in June, we showed you the very first pictures of the next-generation Jeep® Grand Cherokee (WL). Those images showed us our first look at a heavily camouflaged prototype for the all-new Grand Cherokee that is due out for the 2021 model year. Now, another prototype has been spotted and this time it is on the streets of Southern California, close to where we saw another prototype of the upcoming 2021 Jeep® Wagoneer (WS) recently.
While this is the first time that the all-new Grand Cherokee has been caught on public roads, and while it is indeed heavily camouflaged, we are getting our best look yet at the upcoming E-segment SUV.
As we told you before, the all-new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be based on the Giorgio architecture that underpins the award-winning Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia. According to our sources, the Grand Cherokee will have larger dimensions than the Stelvio SUV. Matter of fact, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has already formally announced that a three-row E-segment SUV based on the all-new Grand Cherokee, will be joining the Jeep lineup. According to our sources, the two-row version is codenamed WL74, while the three-row version is codenamed WL75.
These new spy photos show us that the Grand Cherokee’s new styling will be much boxier than the current model. The hood seems longer than the WK2-platform Grand Cherokees, while the front of the vehicle seems a lot more upright. This is a similar design theme found on the Jeep Commander and Grand Commander (K8) that are exclusive to the Chinese market. According to our sources, the rear quarter windows will be more shaped like the original Wagoneer (SJ) models, while the rear will get taillights that will be thinner be more along with the style of the ones found on the Grand Commander.
We told you in an earlier post that Jeep is really focusing on comfort with the all-new Grand Cherokee. Our sources have told us that the new Jeep SUV will feature the same front-seat frames as the Chrysler Pacifica, with a bit more upper bolstering. The second-row seating will use the seat frames from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, which are very comfortable, which those who have sat on them will know what I am talking about. But the biggest thing we have heard about the seats is there will be optional messaging seats. Something that has been a huge success with the Lincoln brand.
We have also learned that the all-new Grand Cherokee will be one of the first new vehicles to feature the all-new Uconnect heads-up display (HUD). We are hearing that the new HUD will also feature high-resolution colors and several customizable layouts for each driver’s preference. A new high-definition 10.1-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) screen will be optional on the upper trim levels.
The all-new Grand Cherokee will feature an all-new 10.1-inch Uconnect Touchscreen with controls at the bottom of the screen on certain models, we are being told. We will also see more passenger technology as well, with options like a BlueRay player for the rear seat occupants, which should be similar to what is found in the Chrysler Pacifica.
This past week, our spy photographers caught a current generation WK2 Grand Cherokee that was wearing camouflage and had numerous powertrain testing gear on it. We believe it is a tester for the upcoming Grand Cherokee PHEV that will make its official debut in late 2021. This model will be featuring the new ZF-based 8-speed automatic transmission we talked about last week.
MoparInsiders.com has heard that will be featuring the upcoming GME-T6 (Global Medium Engine – Turbocharged 6-cylinder) which will be a straight-six cylinder with just over 3.0-liter of displacement. Our sources are stating there will be several variants of this engine throughout the FCA lineup, but expect the Grand Cherokee to get a version with around 350 horsepower.
Of course, the third-generation 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 (which we will be driving in the new 2020 Ram 1500, later this week) will also be making the lineup, alongside the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. We believe that the HEMI might be getting some sort of eTorque assistance under the hood of the Grand Cherokee (WL). All engine options will still be mated with ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmissions.
For those wondering about a high-performance Grand Cherokee, we are told it will return without the SRT nameplate attached. Our sources indicate that the Trackhawk name will be the only name used on the high-performance track-oriented models. While the three-row Dodge Durango will be getting a HELLCAT model in 2021, we doubt a three-row Grand Cherokee would get a performance model. But expect the two-row version to receive one.
Stay tuned to MoparInsiders.com, as we will continue to breakdown the news, rumors, and spy photos surround the upcoming 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
2021 Jeep® Grand Cherokee (WL) Image Gallery:
