We all know Jeep’s docket for the 18 months or so includes debuting the battery-electric Wagoneer S and Recon, putting the plug-in hybrid 4xe powertrain within the Gladiator, and just possibly switching up the engine mix within the Grand Cherokee. We have also known there is a fifth-generation Jeep Cherokee on the way in which, the return of a nameplate so historically vital to the brand that recent CEO Antonio Filosa subtly questioned its retirement under his predecessor. Back when Jeep would discuss the brand new model, in 2022, we anticipated it in 2024 or 2025. Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore (translated), via Mopar Insiders, believes, “The Cherokee’s successor will probably be announced by the tip of the 12 months.”
However the article only states that when the reporter asked Filosa in regards to the Cherokee’s arrival next 12 months, “Filosa gave the arrival of the heir to the Cherokee as probable (because the understanding might be communicated by the tip of this 12 months).” So take it with the grain of proverbial Italian sale.
The paper’s story is keen on the Cherokee believing there is a probability Stellantis will construct the SUV on the Melfi, Italy, plant for the European market. Stellantis has been meeting with Italian unions and government officials these days about production there, trying to forestall more revolts over production capability and naming rights. The automaker’s confirmed five vehicles allotted to the plant, one among the next-gen Compass, the others reported to be two DS models (Citroen’s luxury brand), the Lancia Gamma crossover, and an Opel. The Cherokee name has never come up. Those five Melfi vehicles are all based on the STLA Medium architecture, whereas the next Cherokee keeps getting predicted for the STLA large platform. Italy’s Cassino plant builds models on STLA Large like the present Maserati Grecale and future Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
The Cherokee for our market is anticipated to be built at Stellantis’ Toluca, Mexico, plant, the ability constructing just the Compass in the intervening time. The automaker confirmed this week the Wagoneer S on the STLA Large platform is headed to Toluca, so too the Recon on the STLA Frame architecture.
On more solid ground, the approaching Cherokee will grow some and offer upscale options like a Wagoneer trim. Comparing STLA Large specs to the CUSW platform, STLA Large comes with a wheelbase seven to eight inches longer than the old Cherokee, a vehicle length from 4 to 11 inches longer, and a width about 1.5 inch wider. The upper end of those dimensions could make a brand new Cherokee in regards to the size of the old Dodge Journey.
Motor Trend suspects a starting price of around $40,000, a guess that will put the all-new model lower than $1,000 away from the value of the 2023 Cherokee, which continues to be on the Jeep site and showing 900 in inventory despite ending production that 12 months.
This Article First Appeared At www.autoblog.com
