Items filtered by date: May 2011

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Off-road test: Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 V8 Overland

Wednesday, 01 June 2011 00:00 Published in Road Tests

GRANDULAR FEVER

As a Jeep fan and himself a proud owner of an ’00 XJ Cherokee, Grant Spolander eagerly climbs behind the wheel of the all-new Grand Cherokee, a vehicle that’s now equipped with air suspension.
Can this game-changing feature restore the Grand Cherokee’s former glory?

Additional Info

Engine Cylinders / Capacity V8 / 5 654
Valves 16
Bore and stroke 99.5 x 90.9
Compression ratio 10.5 to 1
Fuel supply Multiport injection
Fuel Unleaded
Max power 259 kW @ 5 150 rpm
Max torque 520 Nm @ 4 250 rpm
Transmission Shift type Automatic
First gear 3.000
Second gear 1.67
Third gear 1.000
Fourth gear 0.750
Fifth gear 0.670
Final drive 3.470
Reverse 3.000
Low-range 2.720
Controls 4WD selection type Electronic dial
Steering type Rack and pinion
Wheels Alloys
Full-size spare No
Measurements (mm) Height 1 762
Length 4 822
Width 2 154
Wheelbase 2 915
Front / rear track 1 762 / 1 821
Fuel Consumption 120 km/h 11.5
Urban 16
Calculated range @ 120 km/h 813 km
Tank capacity 93.5
Performance 0 – 100 km/h 7.95
100 – 120 km/h 3.36
Maximum speed 180+ km/h
rpm @ 120 km/h 1 800
Recovery points Front LHS & RHS
Rear LHS
Underbody Protection Sump 2 mm steel plate
Front diff 2 mm steel plate
Centre diff 2 mm steel plate
Fuel tank 2 mm steel plate
Rear diff None
Load and Towing Capabilities (kg) Tare 2 304
GVM 2 949
CVM 5 253
Towing capacity (unbraked) 750
Towing capacity (braked) 2 304
Brakes Front Discs
Rear Discs
ABS Yes
Load Capacity (litres) Boot 1 030 / 1 930
Warranties, Maintenance and Service Warranty 3-year / 100 000 km
Maintenance plan 3-year / 100 000 km
Service intervals 12 000 km

Off-road test: Land Rover Freelander 2 SD4 HSE

Monday, 02 May 2011 00:00 Published in Road Tests

PIED PIPER

In our March ’08 issue we tested the Freelander 2 and declared it the best vehicle in its class. Late last year Land Rover released their second-generation Freelander 2. Does this newly upgraded model retain its sector-leading reputation?

Additional Info

Engine Cylinders / Capacity 4 / 2 179
Valves 16
Bore and stroke 85 x 96
Compression ratio 15.8 to 1
Fuel supply Common rail
Fuel Diesel
Max power 140 kW
Max torque 410 Nm
Transmission Shift type Automatic

At the time of writing Land Rover SA were unable to provide us with gear ratio data for the Freelander’s transmission.
Controls Steering type Rack and pinion
Wheels Alloys
Full-size spare Yes
Measurements (mm) Height 1 740
Length 4 500
Width 2 195
Wheelbase 2 660
Front / rear track 1 611 / 1 624
Fuel Consumption Combined cycle (Freeway & urban) 9.5
Calculated range 716 km
Performance 0 – 100 km/h 9.5 seconds
100 – 120 km/h 4.11 seconds
Maximum speed 190 km/h
rpm @ 120 km/h 2 000
Recovery points Front Centre
Rear RHS
Underbody Protection Sump Steel plate
Front diff Steel plate
Centre diff Steel plate
Fuel tank None
Rear diff None
Load and Towing Capabilities (kg) Tare 1 923
GVM 2 505
CVM 4 428
Towing capacity (unbraked) 750 kg
Towing capacity (braked) 1 923 kg
Brakes Front Discs
Rear Discs
ABS Yes
Load Capacity (litres) Boot 264 / 1 112
Warranties, Maintenance and Service Warranty 3-year / 100 000 km
Maintenance plan 3-year / 100 000 km
Service intervals 24 000 km