Openi 4.7-litre engine is a class leader From previous page engine. This is a wonderfully smooth, torquey, and quiet engine that provides ade- quate, though not abundant power for the 4,000-Ib, Grand Cherokee Laredo and base Limited models. Buc if you want some- thing sportier, | would ree- ommend the 235-horsepow- er 4.7-litre SOHC 16-valve ngine. With the passi- ble exception of the ML 430's 4.3-litre V8, the Grand Cherokce’s 4.7-litre engine is a class leading powerplant. This single overhead engine demonstrates fle ity and responsiveness at both low and high specds, and makes the nd Cherokee come ative in a way that the standard six cylinder engine doesn’ Ifan SUV could feel like a sports car, the 4.7-litre V8- equipped Grand Cherokee is the closest: thing. It’s quick off the line, and accelerates up to a fairly high redline with the ease of a mul valve, overhead-cam engi Ar the same time, it has plenty of torque (295 Ib.-ft @ 3,200 r.p.m.), and pulls away cleanly at city or high- way speeds without much hesitation. Properly equipped, the Grand Cherokce can tow up to 4,763 kg (10,500 Ib.). Cruising on the highway, the engine turns over just” © 2,000 r.p.m. at a steady 100 km/h in top gear. [ can always tell a great engine when | wish the vehi- cle was equipezd with a° manual transmission so that lcan really get the most out of the engine. For the record, the 4.7- litre V8 offers mo power, better ficl economy, and lower emissions than the 220-horsepower 5.2-litre pushrod V8 engine which preceded it. Though seme of the and Cherokee’s competi- tors have five-speed auto- matic transmissions, the Grand Cherokee’s four- speed automatic unit pro- vides satisfactory pertor- mance with smooth shifts, and features a unique alter- Three Different 4#WD Systems Base Grand Cherokee lo models have a stan- dard Selee Trac 4WD system which includes 2WD, part- time 4WD High, full-time 4WD High, and 4WD Low gear. Grand Cherokee Limited models have a Quadra Trac Il 4WD system which has full-time 4WD High and 4WD Low gear. Quadra Trac 11 includes a new type of Vari-Lock differential axle that provides 2 more seam- less transter of power to the front wheels should the rear wheels lose traction. Optional on both Laredo and Limited models is a more sophisticated version of the Quadra Trac HI system dt ‘adds and rear, so that if only one wheel has traction, it will allow almost 100% of the engine power to go that. wheel . During my road tests on dirt and gravel roads, I found this system does work — there no lag in power transfer to the front wheels, and there’s very little vibra- tion or jerkin NEWS photo Mike Waketiatd A new, softer leather is now availabie on Laredo and Limited models, ali models now have improved air vents on the dashboard, and Larede models get new chrome interior door handles. On slippery surfaces, the Grand Cherokee has great grip, and its automati : there’s no need to swit and out of Quadra Drive. : n whine I last year has almost sappeared, though not entirely, The Grand Cherokee haz a three-link rear suspension with coil springs and solid axle, and a refined front sus pension with coil springs and solid axle. A combination of. stiffer front and rear control arms, modified springs, © wider track, and standard 16-inch tires minimizes ride choppiness and enhances sta- bility even though the Grand Cherokee has a fairly high { Earn & Win With Your Esso Extra Card | Lube Oil & Filter: 1! Change with 56 Pt. ! q | Car Care Inspection ; a Et includes: Lubrication; up to § Liters of Warrant; | i Approved Esso 10W30 Motor Oil; New Filter; © , (Metric Filters Extra); For Most Cars. Pricing May io Vary on Luxury and Diese! Equipped Vehicles. fa § Ask for Details. § 9. pilus environmental charges end taxes. Ali offers expire Dec 11/99 BE Tl Quaiity Parts provided by North Shore Parts Mehrdad Sultan John Ayward AMBLESIDE ESSO HORSESHOE Bay ESSO 1382 Marine Drive - 6390 Bay Street West Vancouver, BC West Vancouver (604) 922-3925 (604) 921-7449 Ponsa et ir | Brake Service| fl Drum Srakes. Includes: labour to install new l premium quatity brake linings; resurface two urake drums; 9-point braking system check; i repack wheel bearings; road test. Cost of arake { linings extra. Most cars. Ask for details. J Disk Brakes. Inciudes: labour to install new premium quality disc pads: resurface two disc rotors: 7-point braking check; road test. Cust of i brake pads extra. Rear disc rr extra. Most. {i cars, Ask fer details. ay / 2 whael disc or drum Bus BA eon SEE Soe Se ®& brakes, Most cars poe ae a cers oan 0c mm Oe ce om Core DO OE | Maintenance | Mescne-Gipp includes: Labour to install new spark plugs; Check piabour only ~ parts on ee Check RCV. valve; Check and adjust idle speeds (rpriv‘s); Final Petmnatons oc lesa Most 6 ext eats us tees Most care Said ight sick-ups. ignition system vans i ivans extra. analysis; Road test. Labour oak for setala. I Grand Cherokee has one of the tightest turning circles in it class: 11.1 metres (36.5, feet). - Alt Grand Cherokce's andard four whe s¢ brakes, ABS, and elec- tronic brake distribution which provide excellent braking power and stabil SASE Grand Chere Minor Changes for 2000 Changes to the Grand Cherokee for the 2000 model year are minimal. A new, softer Icather is now available on Laredo and Limited models, all models now have improved air vents on the dashboard, and Laredo models get new chrome interior door kan- dies. My test vehicle, a Grand Cherokee Limited, was luxu- riously-equipped with fea- tures such as dual-zone cli- mate control with an in See Sensor page 52 eo Laredo models have a standard Sel NEWS photo Mike Wakefield - ec Trac 4WD system: which inciudes 2WD, ‘part-time awd High, jull-time 4WD tiigh, and 4WD Low gear ;