2014 Grand Cherokee Extreme Makeover

For many years, auto shows were all about the latest new vehicles and eye-catching concepts.

Not anymore.

Today, what the industry calls "midcycle refreshes" — extreme makeovers of existing cars and trucks — have become just as important for some automakers, particularly those trying to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, for example, Chrysler Group LLC's biggest news is expected to be an updated version of its popular Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be heading to dealers in mid-2013. This mid-cycle refresh has few exterior changes — a new front fascia and a new, much-improved tailgate — coupled with a mildly modified interior, UConnect Access, the same engines, and the new “Torqueflite 8” eight-speed transmission. The latter should have a major impact on the Grand Cherokee, allowing it to get better gas mileage and significantly quicker acceleration. (oh2o wrote that, at least at first, the Chrysler-built 845RE would be used with the V6, and the ZF-built 8HP70 would be used on the diesel, standard Hemi, and SRT8 Hemi.)





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Southfield Chrysler, 28100 Telegraph Rd, Southfield, MI 48034, 248-354-2950