New engine added to Jeep's Cherokee range to improve CO2 and MPG.

Changes to the popular Cherokee range have just been announced by Jeep, with details of a powerful new engine, offering an augmented range with better fuel economy, greater torque and improved standard content.

The current two-litre diesel 140 hp manual versions have been joined by a modern 2.2-litre MultiJet engine, available with 185 hp and 200 hp outputs, and offering a significantly wider spread of torque from low rpm, greater power, improved performance and better fuel economy than the out-going two-litre 170 hp automatic engine. 

The new 2.2 engine is already Euro 6 compliant.

Available only with Jeep’s segment-first nine-speed automatic gearbox, and matched to the Active-Drive four-wheel-drive systems, all new Cherokee 2.2 versions are packed with equipment. 

The Cherokee range, from entry level, now has additional specification as standard including electric tailgate, windscreen wipers with rain sensor, dusk sensor, eight-position electrically adjustable seat, four-position lumbar adjustment and automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror with built-in microphone. 

The specification on all trim levels gives Cherokee a highly attractive equipment-to-price offering within the mid-size SUV class.

The new 2.2 MultiJet II engine, which places Jeep Cherokee towards the top of its class for performance, refinement and true efficiency, can now be ordered in the UK. Two power variants are available: 200 hp and 185 hp, both with 440 Nm of peak torque. 

The 200 hp variant is available on Limited specification while the 185hp is fitted on Cherokee Longitude and Longitude+ variants only.

The new 2.2 is matched to Jeep’s Active Drive I system, but can be specified with Active Drive II on the Limited 200 hp model.  

Active Drive I offers Jeep’s original rear-axle disconnect system which improves fuel economy, while Active Drive II adds a two-speed power transfer unit, for 2:92:1 ‘low range’ capability and hill-descent control. Both versions carry an impressive towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.

The Cherokee range has extremely strong technological credentials with the award winning UConnect system, a class leading touchscreen and Sat Nav unit and market-first wireless charging pad, all standard on Limited.

Cherokee also has a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and is among the safest Mid-Size SUVs. The Limited 2.2 200 hp versions also offer the option of the 'Technology Group' pack. 

This ‘peace of mind’ oriented pack includes Advanced Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning Plus, Smartbeam automatic main beam dipping function, Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control, as well as Start&Stop, mirror with Blind-Spot Monitoring function, and a rear parallel parking assist system.

Engine in detail

Made in the Pratola Serra plant, near Avellino, Italy, the new 2.2 MultiJet II engine delivers 200 hp (147 kW) at 3500 rpm and has a torque of 440 Nm at 2500 rpm making it one of the best performing four-cylinder turbodiesels in class.

Equipped with the innovative automatic nine-speed transmission and 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I, the Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp reaches a top speed of 127 mph. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, has an average combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6 mpg and CO₂ emissions of 150 g/km.

The Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp with Active Drive II and low-range has a top speed of 126 mph, 0-62 mph time of 8.7 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 46.3 mpg, with 160 g/km of CO₂ emissions.

Finally, Longitude and Longitude+ trim levels are provided with a 2.2 MultiJet II 185hp (136kW) variant, in combination with 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I and the nine-speed automatic transmission. 

Equipped in this way, the Cherokee reaches a top speed of 125 mph and accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.8 seconds. Combined fuel economy and emissions are 49.5 mpg and 150 g/km.

In more detail, the displacement of the new engine (2184 cm³) was defined to obtain high power, torque delivery and fuel efficiency and is combined with an optimised exhaust gas treatment system. 

This consists of a close couple DPF (diesel particulate filter) with NSC (NOx storage catalyst) positioned in the engine compartment, operating together with the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) control system. The engine is Euro 6 standard compliant.

The architecture of the new 2.2 MultiJet II four-cylinder engine includes a specific 16-valve twin camshaft aluminium head designed to withstand the increased working pressure of the common rail with Injection Rate Shaping, which operates at 2000 bar. The design of the pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft is optimised to limit weight.

The shape of the combustion chamber and the reduced compression ratio guarantee low NOx polluting emissions and high performance, while the brand-new solenoid injectors atomise the fuel very finely providing marked advantages in terms of quiet operation and fuel efficiency.

The engine is supercharged by a novel variable geometry turbocharger integrated in the exhaust manifold. This solution reduces the engine weight and improves the exhaust gas treatment system functionality. 

Other factors which contribute to increasing the efficiency of the new engine are the smart alternator, the variable displacement oil pump and the Start&Stop.

The Jeep Cherokee range starts at £26,095 OTR for the 2.0 MultiJet II 140 hp Longitude FWD manual, rising to £37,995 for the 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp Limited 4WD automatic.