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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WL) Spied, Likely Rides On Alfa Romeo Giorgio Platform

As you’re aware, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is investing $4.5 billion in five Michigan plants to meet the growing demand for crossovers and SUVs and to introduce two new models. One of those newcomers is the Grand Cherokee, which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships for the 2021 model year.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 17 photos
Photo: Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien
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The carparazzi caught a pre-production prototype in the wild with tons of camouflage, and right off the bat, the wheelbase of the mid-size SUV is longer than the current generation. Don’t hold your breath for a three-row configuration because the Jeep presentation from the Capital Markets Day 2018 states the Grand Cherokee is a two-row model.

Right next to the successor of the WK2, you’ll notice the E-segment utility vehicle with three rows of seats. The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will slot above it, and Jeep also plans to redesign the Renegade and Cherokee. Going forward, Jeep plans to introduce the aLow D 3-Rowcrossover, the mid-cycle refresh for the Compass, and an A-segment crossover.

Rewind to June 2018, and Sergio Marchionne said the Grand Cherokee in WL flavor would transition to the Giorgio platform. The Alfa Romeo underpinnings shouldn’t come as a surprise, not when Fiat Chrysler Automobiles invested so much time and money in the Giorgio. The Italian brand plans to introduce a mid-size crossover as well, featuring 48-volt mild hybridization and up to 400 horsepower from an e-turbo and four-cylinder engine.

“The Stelvio for sure is an example of Alfa DNA, why don’t we translate that in a car which is a little bit bigger?” Those are the words of Roberto Fedeli, chief engineer at Alfa Romeo and the man who was known as “The Prince” during his 26-year spell at Ferrari. As if that wasn’t enough, the Stelvio and mid-size model will be joined by the Tonale with rear- and all-wheel-drive options, probably even a good ol’ manual transmission.

It’s believed the WL will rely on a hybridized 2.0-liter turbo as the entry-level engine, followed by the Pentastar V6 with the eTorque system. An inline-six powerplant – codenamed Tornado – is another possibility. As for the HEMI V8 in aspirated and supercharged flavors, opinions are split on this subject. We’d like to see the Hellcat come back into focus, but the HEMI engine architecture needs a refresh as soon as possible.

Some people expect Jeep and other FCA brands such as Dodge and Ram will to downsize or go twin-turbo. Mike Manley, who replaced Sergio Marchionne as CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, said that “electrification will certainly be part of the formula that says what is American muscle in the future. What it isn’t going to be is a V8, supercharged, 700-horsepower engine."
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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