Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit touches down

JEEP has added some extra glitz and glam to its hugely popular Grand Cherokee range by launching a new specification level called the Summit.

At $75,000 plus on-road costs and paired exclusively with the 184kW/570Nm 3.0-litre CRD V6 diesel engine, the Summit climbs above the $71,000 Overland on which it is based. Only the bonkers Hemi V8-powered SRT version sits atop it, priced from $77,000.

The arrival of the new Grand Cherokee luxury leader comes as small surprise, with GoAuto reporting in July than Jeep was looking at ways to incorporate such a version – already available in the US – to its local line-up.

Additional specification over and above the Overland includes chrome mesh grille inserts, body-coloured wheelarch flares, new 20-inch alloy wheels, higher-grade NaturaPlus leather seats, suede headlining, real wood trim and a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system.

Naturally, it also features the full suite of active safety gear from the Overland including Forward Collision Warning with autonomous brakes, Blind Spot Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Rear Cross Path Detection, plus so-called Quadra Lift adjustable Air Suspension.

Fiat Chrysler Australia CEO and President Veronica Johns says the additional variant will appeal to all manner of prospective luxury SUV buyers, potentially pointing to a desire to snag some sales from the likes of BMW’s X5 and other European rivals.

It’s been a bumper year for the five-seater Jeep, racking up more than 10,000 sales for the year so far (up 50.7 per cent) thanks to sharp pricing, propelling it close to the top of Australia’s large SUV segment against seven-seat rivals including the Ford Territory and Toyota Prado.

In a rather incredible statistic considering the previous-generation model’s meagre sales just a few years ago, it has gone so far as to lead the segment outright for the past four months.

“And at a time when many Australian buyers are in the market for a refined diesel SUV, Grand Cherokee Summit provides the ultimate solution at a compelling price point,” said Ms Johns. “We are excited to introduce this premium model.”2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee pricing*

Laredo 4x2 3.6L (a)	$45,000 driveaway
Laredo 4x4 3.6L (a)	$46,000
Laredo 4x4 3.0L CRD (a)	$51,000
Limited 4x4 3.6L (a)	$56,000
Limited 4x4 3.0L CRD (a)	$61,000
Limited 4x4 5.7L (a)	$61,000
Overland 4x4 3.6L (a)	$66,000
Overland 4x4 3.0L CRD (a)	$71,000
Overland 4x4 5.7L (a)	$71,000
Summit 4x4 3.0L CRD (a)	$75,000
SRT 4x4 6.4L (a)	$77,000

*Excludes on-road costs unless otherwise stated.