1.
Sport utility vehicle
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A sport utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle is a vehicle classified as a light truck, but operated as a family vehicle. They are similar to a station wagon or estate car. Some SUVs include the capacity of a pickup truck with the passenger-carrying space of a minivan or large sedan. Popular in the late-1990s and early–mid-2000s, SUVs sales temporarily declined due to oil prices. The traditional truck-based SUV is gradually being supplanted by the crossover SUV, by 2010, SUV sales around the world were growing, in spite of high gas prices. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a utility vehicle is a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a station wagon. The SUV term is defined as a vehicle that is designed to be used on rough surfaces. The SUV acronym is used to describe nearly anything with available all-wheel drive. There is no one definition for an SUV, Most government regulations simply have categories for off-highway vehicles, which in turn are lumped in with pickup trucks and minivans as light trucks. The auto industry has not settled on one definition, starting in 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency began to hold sport utility vehicles to the same tailpipe emissions standards as cars. Many people question how can an SUV be called a truck, for industry production statistics, SUVs are counted in the light truck product segment. Not all SUVs have four-wheel drive capabilities, and not all passenger vehicles are SUVs. While automakers tout an SUVs off-road prowess with advertising and naming, in India, all SUVs are classified in the Utility Vehicle category per the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers definitions and carry a 27% excise tax. Those that are 4 metres long, have a 1,500 cc engine or larger, although designs vary, SUVs have historically been mid-size passenger vehicles with a body-on-frame chassis similar to that found on light trucks. Early SUVs were mostly two-door models, and were available with removable tops, however, consumer demand pushed the SUV market towards four doors, by 2002 all full-size two-door SUVs were gone from the market. Two-door SUVs were mostly carry-over models, and their sales were not viable enough to warrant a redesign at the end of their design cycle. The Jeep Wrangler remained as a compact two-door body style, although it was joined by a four-door variant starting with the 2007 model year. The number of two-door SUV models increased in the 2010s with the release of the Range Rover Evoque, Most SUVs are designed with an engine compartment, a combined passenger and cargo compartment, and no dedicated trunk such as in a station wagon body
2.
Mini sport utility vehicle
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Mini SUV, also called subcompact SUV or subcompact crossover, is a class of small sport utility vehicles with a length under and around 4,200 mm. First mini SUVs appeared in the course of 1990s and were off-road vehicles built on body-on-frame chassis, some are even representative of modern superminis with only a bumper hinge and more ground clearance. The Mini Countryman and Nissan Juke have both started the trend of modern mini SUVs that are based on construction since early 2010s. In Japan, as cars under 3,400 mm in length are classified as kei cars and attract lower taxes, compact SUV Crossover SUV Mini MPV Subcompact car List of SUVs
3.
American Motors
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American Motors Corporation was an American automobile company formed by the 1954 merger of Nash-Kelvinator Corporation and Hudson Motor Car Company. At the time, it was the largest corporate merger in U. S. history, after periods of intermittent but unsustained success, Renault acquired a major interest in AMC in 1979 — and the company was ultimately acquired by Chrysler. At its 1987 demise, The New York Times said AMC was never a company with the power or the cost structure to compete confidently at home or abroad. Within a year, George W. Romney, future governor of Michigan, took over, reorganizing the company, by the end of 1957 the legacy Nash and Hudson brands were completely phased out. The company struggled at first, but Rambler sales took off, a Rambler won the 1959 Mobil Economy Run and by 1960, was the third most popular brand of automobile in the United States, behind Ford and Chevrolet. After two model years of only producing compact cars, AMC focused back to larger and more cars like the Ambassador line from the perceived negative of the Ramblers economy car image. While prices and costs were cut, new and more sporty automobiles were introduced, AMC purchased Kaisers Jeep utility vehicle operations in 1970 to complement its existing passenger car business. Beginning in the early 1970s, the company moved towards all-new compact car based on the Hornet, including the Hornet itself. Other new models in the 1970s included the Matador and Pacer, from 1980, AMC partnered with Frances Renault to help finance their manufacturing operations, obtain much-needed capital, and source subcompact vehicles. By 1983 Renault had a controlling interest in AMC, in the 1983 model year, the AMC brand focused entirely on AWD autos, the company stopped producing two wheel drive cars. AMC facilities were used to produce Renault Alliance and Encore compact and subcompact cars, in 1985 Chrysler entered an agreement with AMC to produce Dodge Diplomats and Plymouth Furys as well as Dodge Omnis and Plymouth Horizons in AMCs Kenosha, Wisconsin plant. At the time, AMC had excess manufacturing capacity, thus contract manufacturing for Chrysler made sense, Chrysler made a public offer to purchase all the remaining outstanding shares of AMC stock on the NYSE. Renault left the US market completely as a brand in 1987, the Renault Medallion was sold through the newly formed Jeep Eagle Division of Chrysler as an Eagle, not a Renault. AMCs badge would be used on the Eagle Sports Wagon through the 1988 model year, the Jeep/Eagle division of Chrysler Corporation was formed from the AMC Jeep Renault dealer network. The Jeep and Eagle vehicles were marketed primarily by former AMC dealers, ultimately, the Eagle Brand of car would be phased out like Chryslers DeSoto, Plymouth, and Imperial by 1998. In January 1954, Nash-Kelvinator Corporation began acquisition of the Hudson Motor Car Company, the new corporation would be called American Motors Corporation. The new company retained Hudson CEO A. E. Barit as a consultant, Nashs George W. Mason became President and CEO. The frantic 1953–54 Ford/GM price war had a impact on the remaining independent automakers
4.
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
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The Jeep Cherokee is a fully capable off road suv that was manufactured and marketed by Jeep from 1983 to 2001. The XJ spawned competitors as other automakers began to notice that this Jeep design began replacing regular cars and it also began to supplant the role of the station wagon and transformed from truck to limousine in the eyes of countless suburban owners. The XJ is a significant link in the evolution of the 4x4. Built in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Beijing, China, Ferreyra, Argentina, Cairo, Egypt, and in Valencia, Venezuela, the XJ was also selected in 2011 as one of 10 cars that refuse to die by Kiplinger. Designs of the compact-size XJ Cherokee date back to 1978 when a team of American Motors, clay models were based on the then current full-size SJ Cherokee. Early sketches of the XJ Cherokee had a European influence, and most of the cues were done by AMC engineers under the direction of Richard A. Teague. Noticing that General Motors was developing a new two-door S-10-based Blazer, American Motors vice president of engineering, Roy Lunn, designed what is known as the Quadra-Link suspension, that limited rollovers. Renaults François Castaing developed the drivetrain using a smaller engine than normally found in 4WD vehicles. It is noteworthy as the first nonmilitary 4x4 with unibody construction, the unconventional design enhanced XJs durability and off-road capability that eventually won over most critics, even those models with the early underpowered GM engines. The XJ is described as the first small crossover SUV in the U. S. with plenty of the Jeep toughness built in, the design and market positioning of the XJ, along with the AMC Eagle essentially foreshadowed the car-based crossover utility-vehicle fad. Although the XJ models had just been introduced, AMC quickly began development of its successor, to compete against its much larger rivals, the smallest U. S. automaker created a business process that is now known as product lifecycle management to speed up its product development process. By 1985, development and engineering was based on computer-aided design software systems while new systems stored all drawings, the pioneering PLM was so effective that after Chrysler purchased AMC in 1987, it expanded the system throughout its own enterprise. British TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson described the XJ Jeep as a real 4x4 icon, which, despite being left behind by newer models, still offer fresh and urgent possibilities. Cars which become more relevant the older they get, the design was rigid and sturdy, yet wonderfully lightweight, Uniframe permitted outstanding performance even with AMCs new 2. 5-liter/150-cubic-inch four-cylinder engine. Both two- and four-door versions of the XJ Cherokee were offered throughout its lifetime, each having exactly the same track, two-door models, however, received longer doors and front seats that could fold forward to assist in rear passenger entry and exit. This was in addition to rear windows that did not open. A variation on the Cherokee from 1983 to 1990 was the Jeep Wagoneer and these were unrelated to the similarly named full-sized Grand Wagoneer models that had carried the Wagoneer name before this point. The compact XJ Wagoneer was available in two levels, the Wagoneer and the Wagoneer Limited
5.
Chevrolet S-10 Blazer
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See also Chevrolet Blazer The Chevrolet Blazer and the similar GMC S-15 Jimmy are mid-size SUVs from Chevrolet and GMC respectively. Production began alongside the larger K5 Blazer and Jimmy in 1982, in the United States retail sales of two-door Blazer models ceased in 2004, all other models were sold until April 20,2005. In the Canadian market, four-door models of the Blazer and Jimmy were sold until the 2004 model year, however, the Blazer continues to be produced. Upon the introduction of the S-10 pickup truck in 1982 to replace the Isuzu-based Chevrolet LUV, styling cues were based on the first generation K5 Blazer and Jimmy, the S-series Blazer and Jimmy did not feature removable hardtops like their full-size counterparts. Notably, the new, smaller Blazer and Jimmy were only offered in a two-door bodystyle, base power was provided by GMs 2.0 L OHV four-cylinder engine, producing 83 hp. A2.8 L,110 hp V6 was offered as an option, the 1. 9-,2. 0- and 2. 2-liter diesel were dropped after 1985, replaced by the larger 2. 5-liter engine. The V6 was refitted with a fuel injection system for 1986 in order to improve performance. Jeep replaced the Cherokees 2.8 V6 with a new, to keep competitive, the Blazer and Jimmy received a new 4.3 L V6 option in 1988, based on the ubiquitous Chevrolet Small-Block V8 engine, producing a respectable 150 hp. Power output was increased to 160 hp in 1989, the 2. 8L was discontinued in 1990 for the Blazer and Jimmy where the 4. 3L became the de facto base motor, and a 5-speed manual transmission was added to the option list, replacing the Borg-Warner T5. In March 1990, 4-door versions of the S-10 Blazer and Jimmy were introduced as a 1991 model, the 4-door had a 6. 5in longer wheelbase and a one-piece front grille with a painted black insert. This new grille also did away with the separate metal filler panel under the grille, since the grille is taller, early production models between March and August 1990 were initially available as a four-wheel drive only, 2WD versions commenced production around Summer 1990. This came just months ahead of the introduction of the Ford Explorer, snowflake alloy wheels were introduced, either painted charcoal gray or argent silver. The upscale Oldsmobile Bravada appeared the year featuring an All-Wheel-Drive package called Smart-Trak. 1992 models were similar to 1991s - the only way to tell the difference is the back glass. The interior was a carryover from 1991 with the exception of the center console, also, the S-15 name was dropped from the Jimmy. The S10 Blazer also introduced an upscale Tahoe trim package, the Tahoe LT, the Tahoe LT had its own exterior décor with faded lower body lines on the lower rockers along with Tahoe LT badges - this also included an overhead console and keyless remote door locks). 1992 was the first model year where the S10 Blazer and Jimmy offered an NP233 electronic transfer case for as a drive train option. The fuel lines, which were routed on the side frame rail to the TBI fuel injectors, were redesigned where the fuel inlets entered the rear of the engine
6.
Four-wheel drive
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Four-wheel drive, 4×4, and 4WD, is a form of drivetrain capable of providing power to all wheel ends of a two-axled vehicle simultaneously. It may be full-time, or on-demand, and is linked via a transfer case which provides an additional output drive-shaft. When a four-wheeled vehicle has power supplied to axles, this is described as all-wheel drive. However, four-wheel drive typically refers to a set of components and functions, and/or intended offroad application. 4×4/4WD/AWD systems were developed in different markets and used in many different vehicle platforms. There is no universally accepted set of terminology to describe the various architectures, the terms used by various manufactures often reflect marketing rather than engineering considerations or significant technical differences between systems. Four-by-four refers to the class of vehicles. The first figure represents the total wheels, and the second, syntactically, 4×2 means a four-wheel vehicle that transmits engine power to only two axle-ends, the front two in front-wheel drive or the rear two in rear-wheel drive. Alternatively, a 6×4 vehicle has three axles, two of which power to two wheel ends each. Four wheel drive refers to vehicles with two axles providing power to four wheel ends, in the North American market the term generally refers to a system that is optimized for off-road driving conditions. The term 4WD is typically designated for vehicles equipped with a transfercase which switches between 2WD and 4WD operating modes, either manually or automatically. All wheel drive historically was synonymous with four-wheel drive on four-wheeled vehicles, and six-wheel drive on 6×6s, today in North America the term is applied to both heavy vehicles as well as light passenger vehicles. Typical AWD systems work well on all surfaces, but are not intended for more extreme off-road use, some all wheel drive electric vehicles solve this challenge using one motor for each axle, thereby eliminating a mechanical differential between the front and rear axles. An example of this is the dual motor variant of the Tesla Model S, individual-wheel drive was coined to identify those electric vehicles whereby each wheel is driven by its own individual electric motor. This system essentially has inherent characteristics that would be attributed to four-wheel drive systems like the distribution of the available power to the wheels. However, because of the inherent characteristics of electric motors, torque can be negative, as seen in the Rimac Concept One and this can have drastic effects, as in better handling in tight corners. The term IWD can refer to a vehicle with any number of wheels, for example, the Mars rovers are 6-wheel IWD. Two wheels fixed to the same turn at the same speed as a vehicle goes around curves
7.
Body-on-frame
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Body-on-frame is an automobile construction method by which a separate body is mounted on a relatively rigid frame or chassis that carries the engine and drivetrain. It was the method of building automobiles and continues to this day. In the late 19th century frames might be made of wood reinforced by steel flitch plates, mass production of all-metal bodies became general in the 1920s but Europe, with exceptions, followed almost a decade later. Europes custom-made or coachbuilt cars usually contained some wood framing or used aluminium alloy castings, today some new vehicles still have a separate chassis, most commonly pickup trucks and their relatively low volume variants like crossover SUVs. The Ford Model T carried the tradition of body-on-frame over from horse-drawn buggies and it was also easy to use the same chassis and driveline for several very different cars. Especially in the days before computer-aided design, this was a big advantage, most small passenger vehicles switched to unibody construction by the end of the 1930s. The trend had started with cars like the Citroen Traction Avant, trucks, bus manufacturers and large low volume cars or those made in USA continued to use separate bodies on conventional frames. Mass-market manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are abandoning true body-on-frame SUVs, opting, when sales volume permits, for more efficient unibody construction. Toyota currently manufactures the most body-on-frame SUVs with the 4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Lexus GX and LX followed by Nissan with the Armada, Patrol, Xterra and Infiniti QX56/80. The Ford Panther platform, which was discontinued in 2011, was the last series of passenger cars to be built in this manner. One variant used by Chevrolet for its Corvette incorporates the inner skeleton to the frame, an intermediate to full monocoque construction was the semi-monocoque used by the Volkswagen Beetle and Renault 4. These used a separate chassis made from pressed sheet steel panels forming a platform chassis, to give the benefits of a traditional chassis. Both of these chassis were used for different models. The mid-1930s designed Volkswagen made use of the bodyshell for structural strength as well as the chassis — hence semi-monocoque, traditionally chassis had compliance, they were designed to allow some twisting. As suspensions improved they could not perform correctly unless supporting a rigid structure like that intended to be provided by unibody or monocoque construction. The Lincoln Town Car once dominated the American limousine market because it was the last American luxury car made on the body-on-frame system, with the Town Car discontinued since 2011, the de facto replacement is the Lincoln Navigator SUV. Easier to design, build and modify, quieter, because the stresses do not pass into the body, which is isolated from the frame with rubber pads around the attachment bolts. This is less significant now, but historically bodies would squeak and rattle more as they rusted, lubricants drained, isolated bodies were affected to a lesser degree by these modes of aging
8.
Pickup truck
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A pickup truck is a light duty truck having an enclosed cab and an open cargo area with low sides and tailgate. Today in North America, the pickup is used like a passenger car. The term pickup is of unknown origin and it was used by Studebaker in 1913 and by the 1930s pick-up had become the standard term. In Australia and New Zealand ute, short for utility, is used for both pickups and coupé utilities, in South Africa people of all language groups use the term bakkie, a diminutive of bak, Afrikaans for bowl. In the early days of automobile manufacturing, vehicles were sold as a chassis only, and third parties added bodies on top. In 1913 the Galion Allsteel Body Company, a developer of the pickup and dump truck, built and installed hauling boxes on slightly modified Ford Model T chassis. Seeking part of market share, Dodge introduced a 3/4-ton pickup with cab. In 1925 Ford followed up with a Model T-based steel-bodied, half-ton with an adjustable tailgate, billed as the Ford Model T Runabout with Pickup Body, it sold for US$281. In 1928 it was replaced by the Model A which had a closed-cab, safety glass windshield, roll-up side windows, in 1931 Chevrolet produced its first factory-assembled pickup. Ford Australia produced the first Australian ute in 1932, during the Second World War, the United States government halted the production of privately owned pickup trucks. In the 1950s consumers began purchasing pickups for lifestyle rather than utilitarian reasons, car-like smooth-sided fenderless trucks were introduced, such as the Chevrolet Fleetside, the Chevrolet El Camino, the Dodge Sweptline and in 1957, Fords purpose-built Styleside. Pickups began to feature comfort items like power options and air conditioning, trucks became more passenger oriented with the introduction of crew cabs in the Toyota Stout and the Hino Briska, was introduced in 1962. Dodge followed with a cab in 1963, Ford in 1965. Over the intervening years, Detroit lobbied to protect the light-truck tariff, thereby reducing pressure on Detroit to introduce vehicles that polluted less, the US governments 1973 Corporate Average Fuel Economy policy sets higher fuel economy requirements for cars than pickups. CAFE led to the replacement of the wagon by the minivan. Eventually, this idea led to the promotion of the SUV. Pickups, unhindered by the emissions regulations on cars, began to replace muscle cars as the performance vehicle of choice. The Dodge Warlock appeared in Dodges adult toys line, along with the Macho Power Wagon, the gas guzzler tax, which taxed fuel-inefficient cars while exempting pickup trucks, further distorted the market in favour of pickups
9.
Chevrolet S-10
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The Chevrolet S-10 is a compact pickup truck that is produced by Chevrolet. It was the first compact pickup of the big three American automakers, when it was first introduced in 1982, the GMC version was known as the S-15 and later renamed the GMC Sonoma. A high-performance version was released in 1991 and given the name of GMC Syclone, the pickup was also sold by Isuzu as the Hombre from 1996 through 2000, but only in North America. There was also an SUV version, the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer/GMC S-15 Jimmy, an electric version was leased as a fleet vehicle in 1997 and 1998. Together, these pickups are referred to as the S-series. In North America, the S-series was replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, the S-Series ended production in Brazil in 2012, being replaced by the Chevrolet Colorado, but still with the name S-10. The first compact truck from the big three automakers was the rebadged Isuzu KB sold since 1972 as the Chevrolet LUV, the 1973 Arab oil embargo forced GM to consider designing a domestically produced compact pickup truck. As usual, parts from other GM chassis lines were incorporated, the first S-series pickups were introduced in 1982. The base engine was a 1. 9L Isuzu 4 cylinder shared with the LUV, the Chevrolet and GMC models were identical apart from the grille, tailgate and assorted insignia. An extended cab and Insta-Trac four-wheel drive were added the year along with two new engines - a 2. 0L sourced from the J-platform automobiles along with an Isuzu 2. 2L diesel). Track width was similar to the former GM H-body subcompacts, the sport utility S-10 Blazer and S-15 Jimmy debuted in 1983, GM was the second to introduce compact sport utilities, behind Jeep but ahead of Ford. This occurred again where 4-door variants were introduced in March 1990 as 1991 models alongside the badge-engineered Oldsmobile Bravada. The OHV-derived 2.2 L diesel engine and 1.9 L SOHC gas engine, a much-welcomed 4.3 L V6 was added for 1988, and anti-lock brakes came the next year. The GMC S-15 became the GMC Sonoma in 1991, and the Sierra trim packages were dropped to avoid confusion with the new GMC Sierra full-size pickup, the GMC Syclone also appeared that year. The Sonoma GT bowed in 1992, added to this was the 4.3 L V6 Vortec W code engine. This generations last year was 1993, the Vortec has a balance shaft, roller lifters, different heads, and Central Port Injection. The 1992 and 1993 engine came in either a 195 hp or 205 hp rating, the trucks came in 3 colors, Midnight Black, Apple Red and Frost White. Extra cost Baja options included, a cargo-net end-gate, aluminum outlaw wheels, in 1991 the S10 Bajas came with special BAJA embroidered red and grey bucket seats and unique red door panel trim
10.
Ford Ranger
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The Ford Ranger is a nameplate that has been used on three distinct model lines of cars sold by Ford. Ford repurposed the name Ranger in 1982 for the 1983 model year for a pickup truck sold in North America and, later. Since 1998, Ford has offered a model of Ranger sold internationally. For the 1983 model year, Ford introduced the Ford Ranger for the United States, replacing the 1971-1982 Ford Courier, the Ranger was the first compact pickup truck designed by Ford Motor Company. In 1995, exports of the Ford Ranger began in select Latin, to accommodate the demand for the vehicle, in 1998, Ford Argentina commenced local production of the Ranger, introducing a four-door cab not sold in North America. Over its 29-year production, the Ford Ranger was produced over the chassis architecture. Alongside a major redesign in 1993, the model saw mid-cycle updates for 1989, in South America, for 2010, the Ranger saw all-new exterior sheetmetal not given to its North American counterpart. In 1994, Mazda began sales of the B-Series in the United States and Canada by rebadging the Ford Ranger, on December 22,2011, the final Ford Ranger produced for North America rolled off the assembly line, becoming the final vehicle assembled at Twin Cities Assembly. For the 2012 model year, Ford Argentina began assembly of the Ford Ranger T6. In 2017, Ford announced that a version of the Ranger T6 would be sold in North America as a 2019 model. The Courier was also sold in North America prior to the 1983 model year, second-generation models from 2006 to 2011 were also designed by Mazda, being rebadged versions of the successor to the B-Series, the BT-50. Third-generation models, as produced since 2011, were designed and engineered by Ford Australia, the Ford Ranger is also the basis for the Ford Everest SUV and therefore, the Ranger and the Everest share a number of features
11.
Station wagon
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The body style transforms a standard three-box design into a two-box design — to include an A, B, and C-pillar, as well as a D-pillar. Station wagons can flexibly reconfigure their interior volume via fold-down rear seats to prioritize passenger or cargo volume. Can be loaded through a tailgate, when a model range includes multiple body styles, such as sedan, hatchback and station wagon, the models typically share their platform, drivetrain and bodywork forward of the A-pillar. In 1969, Popular Mechanics said, Station wagon-style, follows that of the production sedan of which it is the counterpart. Most are on the wheelbase, offer the same transmission and engine options. Station wagons have evolved from their use as specialized vehicles to carry people and luggage to and from a train station. Station wagon and wagon are the names in American, Canadian, New Zealand, Australian and African English, while estate car. Both names harken to the role as a shuttle, with storage space for baggage. Having shared antecedents with the British shooting-brake, station wagons have been marketed as breaks, early U. S. models often had exposed wooden bodies and were therefore called woodies. Manufacturers may designate station wagons across various model lines with a proprietary nameplate. Examples include Estate, Avant, Touring, Tourer and Cross-Tourer, SW for Station Wagon or Sports Wagon, Estate, MCV, Tourer, Kombi or Variant and Sports Tourer, SW - Sportswagon or Caravan. Both station wagons and hatchbacks typically share a two-box design configuration, with one shared, flexible, interior volume for passengers and cargo — and a rear door for cargo access. Further distinctions are highly variable, Pillars, Both configurations typically feature A, B & C-pillars, station wagons feature a D-pillar, cargo Volume, Station wagons prioritize passenger and cargo volume — with windows aside the cargo volume. Cargo floor contour, Favoring cargo capacity, a station wagon may prioritize a fold-flat floor, seating, Station wagons may have two or three rows of seats while hatchbacks may only have one or two. Rear suspension, A station wagon may include reconfigured rear suspension for additional load capacity, Station wagons have also enjoyed numerous tailgate configurations. Hatchbacks may be called Liftbacks when the area is very sloped. You could have a 90-degree break in the back and have a station wagon, a model range may include multiple configurations, as with the 2005–2007 Ford Focus which offered sedan, wagon and three and five-door hatchback models. The first station wagons were a product of the age of train travel and they were originally called depot hacks because they worked around train depots as hacks
12.
Jeep Cherokee (SJ)
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See also Jeep Cherokee for other models using this name The SJ series Jeep Cherokee is a full-size SUV that was produced from 1974 through 1983 by Jeep. It was based on the Wagoneer that was designed by Brooks Stevens in 1963. The Cherokee was a reintroduction of a two-door body style. Previously, a version had been available in the Jeep Wagoneer line from 1963 to 1967), although this had the same pillar. The Cherokee was marketed as the sporty two-door variant of Jeeps station wagon, the term Sport Utility appears for the first time in the 1974 Cherokee sales brochure. A four-door was not added to the lineup until 1977, other than the base model, the trim levels of the Cherokee included the S, Chief, Golden Eagle, Golden Hawk, Limited, Classic, Sport, Pioneer, and Laredo. Engine choices consisted of AMC I6 or V8 powerplants. When it was equipped with the net 215 hp 401 cu in AMC V8 engine, it would outrun other 4x4s in its class, the durable 401 had a forged crankshaft and forged connecting rods, as well as the high nickel content block of the other AMC V8s. The 401 was discontinued at the end of 1978, after acquiring AMC in 1987, Chrysler kept the 360 cu in V8 in production until 1991 for the Jeep Grand Wagoneer. For comparison, the Chevy Blazer used the TH350 automatic, after 1979, the TH400 was replaced by the Chryslers TorqueFlite 727. A gear-driven Dana 20 transfer case with 2.03,1 low range was standard with the manual gearbox, the chain-driven, aluminum QuadraTrac was advanced at the time. It included a center differential lock. The transfer case was offset, allowing it to sit just above the frame to avoid obstacles, in the off-road test, the same held true. This transfer case was also employed successfully in Baja races, for example by Roger Mears in the Baja 1000, a 2.57,1 low range was optional on QuadraTrac. In 1975, the Cherokee Chief package was introduced, aside from trim changes, this model received larger fenders and wider axles, allowing larger tires to be fitted to further improve off-road ability. Four-door models were not available with wide-track axles, the Golden Eagle package was introduced in 1979. It was the same as the Chief but had denim interior upholstery, gold painted steel wheels, in 1980 the high end Laredo package was introduced. Dana 44 axles were used both in the front and the rear at least through 1979, brake hardware was mostly General Motors equipment, with disc brakes up front and drum brakes in the rear
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