Made in the Pratola Serra plant, near Avellino, Italy, the new 2.2 MultiJet II engine, with a compression ratio of 15.5:1, delivers 200 hp at 3500 rpm and torque of 440 N·m at 2500 rpm making it one of the best performing four-cylinder turbodiesels in class.

• Equipped with the innovative automatic nine-speed transmission and 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I, the Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp reaches a top speed of 127 mph (204 km/h). It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds, has an average combined fuel consumption figure of 41.3 mpg US and CO₂ emissions of 150 g/km.

• The Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200 hp with Active Drive II and low-range has a top speed of 126 mph (203 km/h), 0-62 mph time of 8.7 seconds, and combined fuel consumption of 46.3 mpg (38.5 mpg US), with 160 g/km of CO₂ emissions.

• Longitude and Longitude+ trim levels are provided with a 2.2 MultiJet II 185hp variant, in combination with 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I and the nine-speed automatic transmission. Equipped in this way, the Cherokee reaches a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h) and accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 8.8 seconds. Combined fuel economy and emissions are 49.5 mpg (41.2 mpg US) and 150 g/km.

The displacement of the new engine (2184 cm³) was defined to obtain high power, torque delivery and fuel efficiency and is combined with an optimized exhaust gas treatment system. This consists of a close couple DPF (diesel particulate filter) with NSC (NO_x storage catalyst) positioned in the engine compartment, operating together with the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) control system.

The architecture of the new 2.2 MultiJet II four-cylinder engine includes a specific 16-valve twin camshaft aluminium head designed to withstand the increased working pressure of the common rail with Injection Rate Shaping, which operates at 2000 bar. The design of the pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft is optimized to limit weight.

The shape of the combustion chamber and the reduced compression ratio enable low NO_x emissions and high performance, while the new solenoid injectors atomize the fuel very finely providing marked advantages in terms of quiet operation and fuel efficiency.

The engine is supercharged by a novel variable geometry turbocharger integrated in the exhaust manifold. This solution reduces the engine weight and improves the exhaust gas treatment system functionality. Other factors which contribute to increasing the efficiency of the new engine are the smart alternator, the variable displacement oil pump and the Start&Stop.

The new 2.2 is matched to Jeep’s Active Drive I system, but can be specified with Active Drive II on the Limited 200 hp model. Active Drive I offers Jeep’s original rear-axle disconnect system which improves fuel economy, while Active Drive II adds a two-speed power transfer unit, for 2:92:1 ‘low range’ capability and hill-descent control. Both versions offer towing capacity of 2.5 tonnes.

Cherokee also has a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and is among the safest Mid-Size SUVs. The Limited 2.2 200 hp versions also offer the option of the Technology Group pack. This includes Advanced Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning Plus, Smartbeam automatic main beam dipping function, Full Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, Adaptive Cruise Control, as well as Start&Stop, mirror with Blind-Spot Monitoring function, and a rear parallel parking assist system.

The Cherokee range, from entry level, has as standard electric tailgate, windshield wipers with rain sensor, dusk sensor, eight-position electrically adjustable seat, four-position lumbar adjustment and automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror with built-in microphone. The specification on all trim levels gives Cherokee a highly attractive equipment-to-price offering within the mid-size SUV class.