Jeep Cherokee (Liberty) test drive since 2007 SUV
Indian in life
Chalags - this is what the Indians of Cheroki call themselves in their peculiar syllabic language. So the car could well be called Jeep Tsalagi. But Cherokee, of course, is more familiar to us by ear. It is so familiar that Russia has already come up with a few original Russian interpretations for him: Cherorozero, Shchiroki, Chirok to ride a new generation of legendary jeep, we went near Seliger. The first Cherokee, which appeared back in 1984, turned out to be a successful carismatic, original and, importantly, automatically connected drive. The Jeep design turned out to be so successful that it allowed the model to stay on the conveyor for 17 years! It is not surprising that the first Cherokee was dispersed around the world with a circulation of 2 884 172 copies! Engines changed and modified, suspension and transmission were modernized, but the frame body and a characteristic angular appearance remained almost unchanged. Jeep is used to this, so he loved him. Therefore, when the second generation of the model debuted in 2002, many did not like it: rounded shapes, uncharacteristic headlights ... They took into account the mistakes and decided to bring the appearance of the modern Cherokee closer to the progenitor.
And, I must say, they achieved their own. There were more corners and broken lines again, and the headlights were habitually cervoon. Cherokee became himself, but at the same time someone will probably recognize another car in it, namely Dodge Nitro. The Chryslerovites do not hide that the platform of these cars is common and they are produced at the same factory in Toledo, Ohio. But of course there are differences. They are aimed at breeding fighters on different sides of the ring: Nitro on asphalt, and Cherokee for off -road.
Therefore, Jeep’s wheelbase was shortened by 69 mm and reduced overhangs. In exchange for the primitive conditional-drive Nitro transmission, Cherokee installs the proprietary Selec-Trac II with a hand-down and lowering nearby. But nevertheless, instead of an intended differential used on the past generations of the model, a multi -disc clowing with electronic control is now working. Simplified? May be. Nevertheless, the BLD (Braking Lock Differential) system appeared in the rear bridge, which is capable of simulating the work of a self -locking inter -axial differential.
This system is automatically activated when translating the transmission modes flagel to the 4WD LOW position, that is, when turning on the lowering row (a very serious transfer of 2.72: 1) and the forced distribution of torque between the axes, which seems quite logical. In addition to the specified mode, there are two more: 2WD couplings are dissolved, the car is rear -wheel drive, and 4WD Auto is distributed in the proportion of 58: 42 in favor of the rear axle, but this attitude can vary depending on road conditions. Does all this off -road attributes help on real off -road? Having seized the free minute, my colleague and I could not resist and decided to check Cherokee in the case. No, in the swamp we did not drown it, but the elementary hanging diagonally was simulated. In 4WD Low Jeep mode, confidently crawls forward. And even taking into account frankly asphalt tires and wet grass under the wheels. Nitro could definitely not. Feeling impunity, we directed the SUV straight to such a hole from which he could not get out on his own. But the bad thing, as you know, is not cunning, only we ourselves did not calculate a little, the clearance was not enough, and Jeep hung on a break.
The rest of the time, we rushed along the dirt roads of the Penovsky district, including the special stages of the Russian rally championship, surprising local colorful residents. At first, when the organizers said that we would move around all the time, I reacted very skeptical to this. But, as it turned out, in vain. The head car set such a pace that the speed sometimes reached 120 km/h! And this is on the ground! Excellent cars were arranged for cars. Jeep was not confused. Despite numerous potholes and bumps, the cabin is always quite comfortable. Nitro would have shook all the brains at such speed and road. And Cherokee is much safer. On the asphalt, the difference with Dodge is almost invisible, and the steering wheel here is just as empty.
During the run, we all managed to test both the gasoline and diesel versions. Both engines 3.7 V6 and the 2.8 CRD turbodiesel are familiar to us from other Chrysler models. They are exactly the same on Nitro. According to the dynamics of Cherokee, these motors are similar. A five -stage machine arrives to the aid of a less powerful CRD instead of a four -stage on a gasoline version and a much larger torque of 460 nm versus 314. As a result, in acceleration to 100 km/h, the diesel brings 0.2 with a car with V6. Another well -known plus of the motors working on diesel fuel is economical. When the arrow of the fuel meter at the CRD modification showed the tank, only half remained on the gasoline version. However, for efficiency, you will have to overpay when buying the cost of a diesel version in Russia by $ 1000 more. If the Indians Cheroki suddenly drove the Cherokee Nation in the United States from the reservation, they could be completely invited to live on Seliger. I think they would like here. Beauties are no worse than in Oklahoma, Tenness, or Carolina, and the water expanses of the Upper Volga lakes are quite comparable with the great North American. And the new Cheroki against the backdrop of the virgin Russian nature looks appropriate. But the fate of his secret, covered with darkness. Therefore, I would like to believe that newly acquired charisma and recognition will help a beginner to conquer a place in the sun in a varied proposals of the modern market overwhelmed with various offers. Engines
For Cherokee, the same motors are offered as for other Chrysler Corporation models, such as Dodge Nitro Sxt or Chrysler Grand Voyager. This is a gasoline V-shaped six with a volume of 3.7 liters with one camshaft in the block head (205 hp and 314 nm) and a 2.8-liter turbodiesel CRD Development of the Italian company VM Motori (177 hp and 460 nm) With the power system Common Rail.
Story
For the first time, Cherokee appeared in the Jeep lineup back in 1974. But in fact, that car was only a three -door version of the Wagoneer model. By the way, pay attention to his radiator lattice, does not remind anything? One in one GAZ-24! The real Cherokee is the world's first car with an automatically connected all -wheel drive in 1984, it was awarded the XJ index. Without significant changes, XJ was produced until 2001, when the eye KJ was replaced. Modern Cherokee is awarded the intra -final designation of the KC
Dmitry Krotov
Source: Motor magazine [October 2008]
