Automotive Engineering - August 2021 - 12

ROAD READY
The forward setup features a virtual
ball-joint design that places the controlarm's
theoretical junction, " more outboard,
allowing the vehicle to be less
sensitive to varying road inputs and
reducing vibrations to the driver. This
also provides additional stability and
on-center steering performance, " Grado
noted, adding that suspension travel
has increased 25 mm (0.98 in) compared
to the current Grand Cherokee to
improve top-out rebound performance.
The WL75 program team took the
third-row challenge to heart, with the
two closely joined rear seats providing
adequate head (37.3 in/947 mm) and
leg room, the latter thanks to a second
row with 7 inches (180 mm) of fore/aft
travel. Larger second-row doors open
64° and " tip and slide " second-row
perches mean child safety seats do not
have to be removed for third-row access.
The second row can also recline
up to 18°.
New drivetrain components
About the only thing not changed on
the GC-L are its powertrains. Standard
is the 3.6-L Pentastar V6 that is SAErated
at 293 hp/260 lb-ft (219 kW/353
Nm). The V6 does net an upgraded
and even less-intrusive engine startstop
(ESS) feature and is rated to tow
6,200 lb (2,812 kg). The optional 5.7-L
Development of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's chassis featured extensive time at the company's
Chelsea, Michigan proving grounds, Moab and in Arizona's Sleeping Princess ORV area.
V8 (357 hp/390 lb-ft; 266 kW/529 Nm)
features cylinder deactivation that
turns off fuel/spark and closes the
valves to four cylinders during lightload
operation; it has a 7,200-lb (3,266
kg) tow rating. Both engines are paired
to a ZF-licensed TorqueFlite 8HP70
8-speed automatic transmission.
The GC-L's drivetrain is completely
revised with a fuel-saving front-axle
disconnect and all-new, swifter-acting
electronic transfer cases. " Being electronic,
they're faster - front-to-rear,
the way it adapts to the road - smarter
and more variable in terms of torque
transfers, " Grado said. The GC-L comes
standard with RWD, and three discrete
4x4 systems are available.
Interior tech, benchmark audio
Like the upcoming Wagoneer (www.sae.
org/news/2021/03/2022-jeep-wagoneer-and-grand-wagoneer-revealed),
the
GC-L will offer some truly sumptuous-looking
interiors, featuring quilted
Palermo leather and open-pore waxed
American Walnut trims. The welcoming
cabins provide a wealth of tech, including
a digital rearview mirror (a device
built for 3-row vehicles) along with a
Jeep-first full-color windshield HUD.
Jeep plans to offer an SAE Level-2
active driving assist feature as a lateadd
option before the end of 2021. The
system is expected to offer hands-free
driving and lane centering on approved
roadways, and predictively slow the
vehicle down in tighter corners.
As with the new Wagoneer, the GC-L
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L will feature some sumptuous interior designs featuring quilted
Palermo leather and open-pore waxed American Walnut trims. An available McIntosh sound system
may be the new benchmark in branded OEM audio.
12 July/August 2021
will offer a McIntosh sound system.
There's no shortage of branded audio
systems in the market these days, but
(to our ears) few have the ability to play
so astonishingly clean at higher volumes.
The GC-L's 17-channel, 950-watt,
19-speaker setup includes a 10-inch
subwoofer with a 21-L enclosure, providing
effortless low-end extension. In
OEM audio, the Jeep/McIntosh system
is likely the new benchmark.
Paul Seredynski
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
FROM TOP: SAE; JEEP

http://www.sae.org/news/2021/03/2022-jeep-wag-oneer-and-grand-wagoneer-revealed

Automotive Engineering - August 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive Engineering - August 2021