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Chrysler Announces '4x4 of the Year' Award for 1998 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee

3 November 1997

1998 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited is '4x4 of the Year'

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Nov. 3 -- Petersen's 4Wheel & Off-Road
magazine named the new Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited "4x4 of the Year."
    "This is the sixth time a Jeep vehicle wins our comprehensive four-wheel
drive vehicle evaluation since we started sixteen years ago," said Cole
Quinnell, 4Wheel & Off-Road editor.  "The new Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited stood
out in an extremely tough competition with its superb power which complements
the off-road capability of every Jeep vehicle.  This vehicle is proof that you
can have a true off-road vehicle without giving up on-road performance, luxury
amenities and comfort."
    The 4Wheel & Off-Road competition is open to all four-wheel drive vehicles
with significant updates and performance differences from the previous year.
The vehicles were tested for a full month, under various on-road conditions
and in severe off-road use.  This year's competition included the
Mercedes-Benz ML320, Mitsubishi Montero Sport, Dodge Durango, GMC Yukon, Isuzu
Rodeo and Mazda B3300.
    "This is spectacular news," said Martin R. Levine, General Manager,
Chrysler/Plymouth/Jeep/Eagle Division.  "We are thrilled to receive this
highly coveted award that reaffirms the leadership of the Jeep Grand Cherokee,
off-road and on-road.  No competitor could combine sports car handling and
performance with the unsurpassed off-road capability of a Jeep vehicle, and
create the fastest sport-utility vehicle in the world."

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation