A Renegade with tradition.
Byline: By Steve HughesJeep has a new version of its Cherokee, named Renegade.
It flies in the face of the gradual evolution of the vehicle from its original rugged looks to its current curvy Chelsea Tractor image.
Jeep believes that while the current vehicle may be attracting drivers in the urban jungle, it is perceived as a touch too smooth for those in search of the really rough stuff off road.
So, returning to its roots is a limited edition version with none of the gentle flowing lines of the mainstream model.
The front looks as though it has been whacked with a cricket bat to create a flatter, stronger, squarer appearance that Jeep reckons will appeal to hard-nosed off-road types.
In addition to the flatter bonnet and taller grille there is an overhead light bar and a pair of spotlights in the front bumper although they are rather tame in comparison to the sort of desert-storming vehicles that this auxiliary lighting idea is supposed to be based on.
The heavily-flared wheel arches gain industrial-style rivets and there are special five-spoke alloy wheels and silver rock rails to complete the package. As serious off-roaders know, diesel engines are better suited to mud-plugging so the Renegade comes only with the 2.8-litre turbocharged oil-burner.
Top speed of the manual and automatic versions is 108mph. The 0-60mph time of the manual model is 12.8 seconds and 12.2 seconds for the automatic. The engine produces 295lb/ft of torque at 1,800rpm and 161bhp at 3,800rpm. The six-speed manual version costs pounds 21,230 and the five-speed automatic is pounds 22,230, which is pounds 1,230 more than the standard Sport 2.8 CRD model.
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Publication: | Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England) |
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Date: | Mar 11, 2005 |
Words: | 287 |
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