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Chrysler Jeep Australia has announced that the stunning V8 PowerTech engine has been made available in the Jeep® Grand Cherokee Laredo.

Formerly available only in the top-of-the-range Grand Cherokee Limited, the 4.7 litre V8 has proven so popular that it is now offered as an option in the entry -level Laredo.

Commenting on the decision, Chrysler Jeep Australia Managing Director, Mr Steve Shugg, said that a V8 Laredo is what the Australian public wants: "When we launched the new Grand Cherokee with the V8 in the Limited, we were surprised with the response. In fact, the demand for the V8 caught us a bit by surprise.

"It became obvious to us that the Australian buyers wanted a V8. We found that for covering long distances, for towing and for off-roading, many buyers preferred the eight cylinder engine. Consequently we went to Detroit and asked for a V8 Laredo," Mr Shugg said.

The introduction of the V8 Laredo brings the model lineup for the Grand Cherokee to three - the Laredo 4.0 litre six-cylinder, V8 Laredo and the V8 Limited.

The V8 engine in the Laredo is the same as that in the Limited with 162 kilowatts of power at 4700 rpm and 390 Newton metres of torque at 3200 rpm.

Featuring a new tuned-length runner intake manifold, free-flowing intake and exhaust ports and fast-burn combustion chambers, the new engine has optimum "breathing" and combustion efficiency.

Operating with a high 9.3:1 compression ratio, the PowerTech engine still only requires normal unleaded fuel which directly translates into cost savings for the customer.

The Laredo's V8 engine meets both the Tier 1 US emission standards as well as the European Stage II emission standards.

The V8 Laredo will come standard with Jeep's unique 'multi-speed' 45RFE automatic transmission.

Both the engine and transmission were designed simultaneously and precisely calibrated to each other, resulting in a powertrain that delivers refined power flow and increased fuel efficiency.

The 45RFE transmission features unique characteristics such as a tall, 3.00:1 first gear that gives the driver better initial acceleration. Real-time driver adaptive shifting fine tunes the shift pattern to the driver, while an alternate second gear ratio gives the drive five forward gears enhancing driveability and performance.

During normal acceleration, second gear has a ratio of 1.67. Depending on speed and throttle position, both this gear and an alternate 1.50 second gear ratio are available for kick-down operation, making the show-shift smoother.

Other innovative design features include three planetary gear sets which combine the widest range of gear ratios available in any transmission in its class. Combined with precise step selections this guarantees smooth shifts, maximum power and optimal fuel efficiency.

The Laredo is also now available with Jeep's sensational Quadra-Drive™ four-wheel-drive system as an option.

The Quadra-Drive system has the ability to keep the Grand Cherokee going even if only one front wheel has traction.

"Quadra-Drive is a totally new concept in four-wheel-drive systems," said David Van Raaphorst, Executive Engineer - Powertrain. "This patented system provides outstanding responsiveness and traction under all driving conditions - both on- and off-road - without the driver having to shift any levers or push any buttons.

The Quadra-Drive system combines the second generation Quadra-Trac II™ transfer case with Vari-Lok™ progressive front and rear differentials.

Vari-Lok provides a major improvement in wheel traction compared to existing four-wheel drive systems. Under conditions in which opposite wheels are on surfaces with widely different friction characteristics, Vari-Lok delivers far more torque to the wheel on the higher traction surface than is possible with conventional limited-slip systems.

Grand Cherokees without Quadra-Drive will still be fitted with the Quadra-Trac II constant four-wheel-dive transfer case.

Under normal driving conditions the Quadra-Trac II transfer case delivers most of the power to the rear wheels. The moment ta wheel loses traction, a speed variation occurs between the front and rear axle causing a geroter pump to apply hydraulic pressure to a multi-disc clutch pack sending power to the front axle. This system allows the vehicle to maintain traction and control seamlessly and within fractions of a second.

Pre GST Pricing - Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 Six Cylinder $53,500, V8 Laredo $57,400. V8 Laredo with Quadra-Drive $59,950. Grand Cherokee Limited V8 $67,950 and Grand Cherokee Limited with Quadra-Drive $70,500.

Grand Cherokees for the Australia/Pacific right-hand drive market are manufactured in Graz, Austria.

All Jeep and Chrysler products come with a three-year 60,000-kilometre warranty with full 24-hour roadside assistance.