Jeep

Hi everyone, I was just reading a post on the future of EVs in off-roading and four-wheeling circles and was left wondering what Jeep owners and enthusiasts think (see here for the article: http://auto-trim.org/2013/12/24/offroading-in-an-ev/). Will this catch on anytime soon? There's no question that the benefits for the environment are there but the tech is not quite ready yet. In addition there is the recent prediction form the US Dept of Energy that states that most cars on the road by 2040 will still use gas. So, is it just wishful thinking to assume that sooner rather than later we will be getting Jeeps and rock crawlers which are true EVs?

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' Melfi plant is beginning to process of retooling to build a plug-in hybrid Jeep Renegade by 2020. The investment totaling 200 million Euros (about $229 million) will include modernizing the plant and training employees. FCA is planning to get pre-production models rolling off the line next year. Melfi is home to the Renegade and Fiat 500X production. FCA says the Renegade will become the third electrified vehicle in their lineup, following the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV and Ram 1500 eTorque mild hybrid. This is part of an effort to launch "12 electric propulsion systems (BEV, PHEV, full-hybrid and mild-hybrid)", adding that 30 different …

Last October, we reported on Chrysler trademarking the 'Trackhawk' name. The assumption at the time was Jeep would use their on their high-performance Grand Cherokee as Dodge laid claim to the SRT name. Now Car and Driver has some new information concerning the Trackhawk. The name is expected to arrive sometime in 2016 with the choice of two engines. The base will be the 6.4L HEMI V8 with 475 horsepower currently found in the Grand Cherokee SRT. Optional is the 6.2L Supercharged Hellcat V8 with 707 horsepower. Now this engine is giving engineers some problems as the driveline can't handle the Hellcat's torque. It could mean Jeep could scrap the four-wheel drive system…

Finally, they're well past the cobbled-up mule stage with the new Cherokee. It's shaping up to be pretty sporty looking, although from some angles it belies its FWD proportions with a short door-to-wheel distance and long front overhang. Check out these pictures and post your thoughts. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/16/jeep-liberty-replacement-takes-shape/

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 23, 2013 In a surprising move today, Chrysler has halted Cherokee production at its Toledo, Ohio plant. “We have been producing vehicles since the end of June and have now built the critical number of vehicles we need to stock dealerships once containment is released. We will temporarily idle the second shift so as not to put additional strain on our logistics partners to get these vehicles into the hands of customers as quickly and efficiently as possible upon release,” said Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson in a statement this afternoon. Chrysler has idled 500 workers from the second shift and is expected to…

We have been wondering for some time why the mild-hybrid eTorque powertrain was missing from the Gladiator's available powertrains. The eTorque powertrain pairs a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with a 48-volt mild hybrid system. This not only improves overall fuel economy, but provides slightly more torque than the 3.6L V6 - 295 vs. 260 pound-feet. We assumed the reason came down to possible issues with towing. It seems our hunch was right. The Drive reached out to FCA to see why the Gladiator wasn't being offered with the eHybrid. This was the response from the spokesperson. "The 3.6-liter engine can handle the temperatures seen while towing." Reading bet…

It seems for the longest time, we've been hearing that the Jeep Wrangler will be getting a diesel engine - a holy grail for many Wrangler fans. A new report says the diesel is in the cards, along with a eight-speed automatic. Autoblog has learned from a source at FCA that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler - due in the next few years - will have the option of a 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 and ZF eight-speed automatic. This is the same combo found in Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500. When reached for comment, a Jeep spokeswoman said we don't comment on future product. Source: Autoblog View full article

Jeep Expands Vehicle Lineup with New Grand Cherokee and Liberty Models 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Overland Summit the most luxurious, distinctive and comprehensively equipped production Jeep vehicle ever 2011 Jeep Liberty Jet combines vehicle's renowned capability with unique upscale appearance Both new models available in Jeep showrooms next month Slideshow: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Summit Slideshow: 2011 Jeep Liberty Jet November 16, 2010 , Los Angeles, CA. - A pair of new Jeep vehicles – the Jeep® Grand Cherokee Overland Summi…

Jeep is looking to add a plug-in hybrid variant of the Jeep Wrangler sometime in 2020. It will join the lineup next to the Pentastar V6, a Turbocharged inline-4 cylinder, and a newly added Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel. The plug-in hybrid version is a way to get consumers used to an electrified Wrangler, says Jeremy Acevedo, senior manager of insights for Edmunds. "If the Wrangler, arguably the most iconic SUV on the road, can pull off a plug-in hybrid, I think that it does give credibility to this technology having some merit beyond efficiency if it is truly a great off-roader [and] if it does carry that torch well.", Acevedo said. The Wrangler Hybrid should please those …

Like every other automaker, Jeep is looking at ways to reduce emissions and increase fuel economy in light of more stringent regulations. One technology the off-road brand is looking at is hybrid technology. “We are absolutely looking at different things in that field and we are very active behind the scenes in the development of these systems and how it fits into our profile,” said Chrysler’s Asia-Pacific product planning manager, Steve Bartoli, to Drive.com.au. “With greenhouse gas and regulatory constraints around the world, it is definitely pushing our hand in that way but we haven’t made any decisions on that and we’re not ready to talk about that.” Bartoli said t…

The JL Generation of the Jeep Wrangler may have improper frame welds according to an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The investigation started after a Wrangler owner complained about a frame that had been improperly welded at the factory. As a result of that improper weld, the owner found a number of other problems stemming from the original issue. While no findings have been released, there is enough evidence for the NHTSA to warrant further investigation and the agency has asked FCA for more information regarding the issue. The NHTSA seemed to think that FCA's explanation "did not adequately address whether the frame …

At the New England International Auto Show today, Jeep unveiled a new Overland trim for the Jeep Cherokee mid-size crossover. The new trim level, which goes on sale in Spring 2016, is a new luxury version of the Cherokee. The outside of the Overland features body colored lower trim cladding, new 18" wheels, standard HID bi-xenon head lights. Inside, the Overland adds new Zebrano wood grim, standard leather heated/vented seating, and the 8.4 inch UConnect system. All Overlands come standard with Jeep's Active Drive II 4x4, which has a 2 speed power transfer unit with low range. Standard power is the familiar 2.4 liter Tigershark producing 184 hp @ 6400 rpm and 1…

Ever since I got the 97 ZJ I've been itching to have it earn it's Jeep name under my care. Today, it did just that. I managed not to get stuck at all, and hit some pretty nice trails. Here are just a few photos and vids. Both Jeeps are 2wd, we had a Friend come with us that had a Dodge Ram Diesel 4x4 but a pin hole leak in his radiator ended his fun at the start of the trail. I will say, with low tread front tires, basically new rear tires (used) the Jeep exceed my expectations. Once it made it through one area I would go further in to see how far she could go. But what really got me, I started the jeep around 11 o clock, and did not turn it off til after 4 after travel…

The current Jeep Cherokee is either a love it or hate it vehicle due to its design. A key point of contention is the split headlights that cause the front end to look somewhat alien. But new spy shots possibly hint that the split headlights are heading out. Autoblog obtained a set of spy photos showing off two Cherokee mules. The first one has heavy camouflage on the front and rear ends, hinting that Jeep designers are planning to make significant changes. We can't tell much in the pictures except the hint of the seven-slot grille. The second Cherokee isn't camouflaged but features a different colored bumper with what appears to be radar sensors sitting where the squ…

Found over at Jalopnik's FB page. Comical! I want one!

The Jeep Cherokee has become quite the popular vehicle for the brand, despite its polarizing looks which turned off many Jeep loyalists. Don't expect the design to change anytime soon according to a new report. Automotive News reports that the Cherokee will be undergoing a mid-cycle refresh in mid-2016 and strategists are planning to keep the look. "I think the overall styling, the overall shape, the overall accommodation of that vehicle is spot on. I don't think that there's anything that dramatically needs to change with that vehicle going forward," said Mike Manley, Jeep's boss. Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required) View full article

Stop me if you heard this or a variation of this story before. Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley told Australian media at the Detroit Auto Show that the brand is still considering whether or not do a Wrangler Pickup. “Firstly we are now well into the program for Wrangler renewal. It’s a longer-cycle program because of what the vehicle is. You know I am a big advocate of a Wrangler pick-up, [but] as part of that, the decision will or will not be made regarding a pick-up [variant]. From my perspective, it fits into the portfolio exactly,” said Manley. Now Jeep has been floating the idea of Wrangler Pickup for a number of years. In 2005, Jeep showed off the Gladiator, fol…

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com September 27, 2013 Back on Wednesday, Chrysler announced that they were temporarily laying-off 500 workers from the second shift at their Toledo, Ohio plant because the company had built enough Jeep Cherokees for the launch in the fall. It was only later that we learned that Chrysler is still having problems with the Cherokee's nine-speed automatic transmission. Now Chrysler is reversing their decision to layoff workers. Automotive News is reporting that Chrysler will bring back the second shift next Monday to building Cherokees again. In a statement, Chrysler revealed that engineers are hard at work on software patches …

From the newly unveiled Ram 1500 Rebel, to Dodge's popular Blacktop models, no other automaker seems to love special edition models quite like the Fiat Chrysler bunch. And if a recent trademark filing is any indication, FCA could have yet another special model on its way to buyers in the future. FCA filed for the Golden Eagle trademark with the United States Trademark and Patent Office on December 12, 2014. If the Golden Eagle name sounds familiar to you, it should: it was first used on special edition Jeep models in the late '70s, and as recently as 2006. Golden Eagle edition Jeeps typically carried special eagle graphics and gold wheels, hence the name. Considering F…

Another piece of the next-generation Jeep Wrangler has been unearthed. The Truth About Cars has uncovered a document submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) which reveals some partial details on the JL Wrangler's powertrains. The documents revealed that the Wrangler would come with a 3.6L V6 with 285 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder offering up 368 horsepower. No, this isn't a misprint. The other bit of information that can be gleaned from this document is that the Wrangler will only be initially offered as a four-door model - something we first we reported back in August. Before anyone begins to panic because the …

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 26, 2013 The pricing of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee has been leaked and made its way online. The folks at JeepGarage.org say they got their hands on the pricing and spec sheets. At a glance, we think the pricing could be the real deal. Here is the pricing at a glance: Laredo 4X2 – $28,795 Laredo 4X4 – $30,795 Laredo E 4X2 – $30,495 Laredo E 4X4 – $32,495 Limited 4X2 – $35,795 Limited 4X4 – $37,795 Overland 4X2 – $42,995 Overland 4X4 – $45,995 Summit 4X2 – $47,995 Summit 4X4 – $50,995 SRT 4X4 – $62,995 *Note: Pricing doesn't include a $795 destination charge Now if you're wondering …

We know from previous spy shots that Jeep is readying a refresh of the Cherokee that will include revised styling for the front and rear. It seems Jeep has something else up its sleeve for the Cherokee. The Truth About Cars did some sleuthing through FCA's 2019 VIN code guide and found that the turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder that debuted on the Wrangler would be an option on the Cherokee. Paired with a 48-volt, the turbo 2.0L produces 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This is one less horsepower than the Cherokee's 3.2L V6, but offers 56 more pound-feet. The turbo 2.0L will likely only be available in higher trim versions of the Cherokee. We're …

Jeep Considers Diesels For Their Lineup William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com April 9, 2011 With the price of gas on the rise, Jeep's management is toying with the idea of offering diesels in the US market again. Their hope is to improve Jeep's fuel economy and to avoid a collapse in SUV sales due to rising gas prices. “Diesel in some of our models makes absolute sense. But I still have to make sure there is a sufficient marketplace here to make it make sense from a business perspective,” said Mike Manley, Jeep's president and CEO. Jeep has offered diesels before with the Liberty from 2005-2006 and the Grand Cherokee from 2005-2008. The mo…

Jeep unveiled six concept Jeep Gladiators for the 53rd Annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari. (click on any of the pics to enlarge) The Jeep Wayout: An overland concept that has a roof-top tent and custom canopy The Jeep Flatbill: An extreme 4x4 that has a nod to Motocross culture The Jeep Five-Quarter: A "resto-mod" of the 1968 Jeep M-715 Gladiator-based military vehicle The Jeep J6: Mixes classic Jeep styling with concept and production Jeep Performance Parts and Accessories The Jeep JT Scrambler: …

The internet went aflame last week when a NHTSA filing revealed an interesting tidbit about the next-generation Jeep Wrangler. The turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder was said to produced 368 horsepower. A crazy number and one that made a number of people - some here on our forum question whether that was actually true or a mistake. It seems to be the latter as The Truth About Cars found an updated filing from FCA which now lists the turbo 2.0L at NR (Not Rated). Everything else on the table is unchanged. A source at FCA told Road & Track last week that the 368 figure was 'dead wrong'. For now, we'll to have wait patiently for Jeep to debut the Wrangler or …

oh; THERE it is!!

Some Jeep Wrangler drivers have been experiencing a frightening phenomenon commonly known as the Jeep "Death Wobble". While the term is dramatic, FCA says they know of no injuries or deaths caused by this experience. After the vehicle hits a bump at highway speed, the steering wheel can vibrate back and forth by up to five degrees. Drivers claim that the only way to correct the wobble is to speed up or slow down. FCA says that the cause of this is a resonance in the front axle and dampers containing air bubbles. Cold weather makes the oil in the dampers less viscous and air bubbles won't dissipate quickly enough. Jeep will remedy the issue by installing a new dampe…

Hellcat everything has become a bit of a running joke with any vehicle from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Pacifica? Drop a Hellcat. 500? Needs a Hellcat. Charger? Two Hellcats is just what the doctor ordered. The latest vehicles to get the attention from the Hellcat crowd are the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator. Tim Kuniskis, the head of the Jeep brand told Australian outlet Drive that it is technically possible to fit the Hellcat V8 into both vehicles. "Everybody always asks me that question: it fits. You know that. It fits like a glove." But there comes a big issue. "But the problem is that it fits like a glove and there is no air space around the engine an…

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com January 30, 2013 When Jeep introduces the new Liberty SUV at the New York Auto Show later in March, it might be wearing a new nameplate. “There are clearly only two options for the name of this vehicle: It’s either going to be Cherokee or it’s going to be Liberty. We are going to make that decision in the very near future. Both of them are historical names, Cherokee more so than Liberty,” said Jeep President and CEO Mike Manley. The Liberty replaced the Cherokee in 2002 and has been struggling for sales during its lifespan. Outside of North America, Jeep has left the Cherokee nameplate. Also coming from Jeep is a ne…

Jeep is seeing record sales of the Wrangler, Through November, sales climbed 25 percent over 2017, to 220,232 vehicles. This year also saw monthly sales record of 29,776 Wranglers sold in April. But there is a bit of problem with the Wrangler. According to Automotive News, dealers have over a 100-day supply of the model. In the beginning of November, dealers were sitting on a 156-day supply of Wranglers. The number has fallen to 135-days at the beginning of this month. But it is still a perplexing problem. How can Jeep dealers have such a huge backlog of Wranglers, despite selling a fair number of them? There are two reasons. The first deals with production. FCA…

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 10, 2013 Jeep has announced pricing for the 2014 Cherokee which will start at $23,990 (includes $995 destination charge), which is about $400 less than the outgoing Liberty. The Cherokee will be available in four different trim levels - Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk. The base engine will be 2.4L TigerShark four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. Optional on the Latitude and Limited, and standard on the Trailhawk model is the 3.2L V6 with 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque paired with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard on the Sport, Latitude, and Limited t…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 25, 2012 Jeep is using the Houston Auto Show and upcoming Washington D.C. Auto Show to show off a new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept. The concept is based on a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X. The concept gains blacked-out trim, a mesh grille and 20-inch aluminum wheels painted in gloss black. If you were hoping for any changes to powertrain, then you will be disapointed. You might be wondering why it's called the production-intent Grand Cherokee concept. Well, is running a "Name My Ride" contest for the concept. Anyone can send in a name and Jeep will pick three finalists, with an online vote to decid…

Last month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced a $75 million investment into their Trenton Engine Complex to build a new four-cylinder engine. Automotive News has learned some details about this new engine and where it could end up. According to a source, the new four-cylinder is codenamed Hurricane and it will be a turbocharged 2.0L. The engine will feature direct-injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Hurricane is expected to produce almost 300 horsepower. This seems like a perfect engine to drop into a hot version of a compact model, but Automotive News says this engine will likely appear in the next-generation Wrangler. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne has hinted…

With all of the new improvements and technology for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler, it was going to slightly more expensive. We now know how much more that will be. Motor1 reports that when the Wrangler hits dealers early next year, it will have a starting price of $28,190 (includes a $1,195 destination charge) for the base 2-door Wrangler. This is an increase of $3,000 when compared to the 2017 model. All 2018 Wrangler models see an average increase of $3,020 to their base price. You're not getting much with the Wrangler Sport. Standard equipment includes a six-speed manual gearbox, Dana axles, and 17-inch All Season Bridgestone tires. You'll need to shell out some cas…

Just spec'd out a 2012 Wrangler. Durn thing ran up to $27k, and it was a Sport with hardtop and manual transmission plus a few options. WTH? Too many luxury features are available on the Wrangler, imo.

I have a 2005 Jeep Cherokee (Liberty in US) KJ, 2.8 CRD Sport, with the VM Motori R428 2.8 litre Diesel engine (161 bhp and 296 ft-lbs (400Nm) of torque) mated to a six speed manual gearbox. A discussion came up, in one of the Jeep forums I frequent, that talked about the various transmissions used in the KJ and it said that the six speed manual gearbox was the NGS 370. Clearly this cannot be the case with the CRD, because according to the Novak guide to the NGS 370, it can only handle a maximum input torque of 271 ft-lbs, and my Cherokee CRD is putting out 25 ft-lbs more than this! So if it isn't the NGS 370, does anyone know what 6 speed manual gearbox it do…

Fiat and Jeep are planning a big crossover offensive with a new larger model that will sit above the 500X/Renegade and a smaller model. Autocar reports the two automakers are working on a new crossover to take on the Nissan Qashqai - one of popular crossovers on sale in Europe. Fiat's version will become the flagship for the brand, while Jeep's version will take the place of the Compass and Patriot. It's expected that Jeep will show their version first sometime in 2016, followed by Fiat. Following that will be a much smaller crossover which will sit underneath the 500X/Renegade and take the place of the Panda Cross for Fiat. If given the green light, both models will be…

By William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com March 7, 2013 When Jeep released some of the shots of the new 2014 Cherokee before its official debut at the New York Auto Show, it was open season on the web as most everyone dog-piled on the looks of it. However Chrysler’s design chief, Ralph Gilles is standing behind it. Talking with Wards Auto, Gilles explained that the Cherokee marks the next step in the evolution of the design for Jeep. “When you contrast it to the outgoing Liberty…I think it’s a huge departure, obviously from the previous one. But it’s also going to be seen as very current in the way that Jeep has evolved its aesthetic to a very contemporary p…

As we reported last month, Jeep is adding a diesel to the Wrangler lineup. The 3.0-liter diesel will produce 260 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque and be paired only with the 8-speed automatic. Electronic Start-Stop is also standard issue. As for how much it is going to cost, be prepared to shell out up to an additional $6,000 over the base model. It breaks down like this: $4,000 for the diesel engine + $2,000 for the automatic transmission. All in all, it ends up being a $3,250 upgrade over a Wrangler with a Pentastar V6 and 8-speed automatic. The diesel will only be offered in 4-door trims of Sport, Sahara, and Rubicon. In the RAM 1500 with the same powert…

William Maley Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com January 6. 2012 Yesterday, Chrysler announced that a diesel version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be arriving in 2013. The diesel model will be built alongside the regular Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango at Chrysler's Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. No specifications or release date has been announced. Chrysler also announced they will be adding 1,100 new jobs at the Jefferson North Assembly to add a third shift. "It is in the Motor City, home of our industrial heritage and a resilient people, that we are entrusting the manufacture not only of the ultimate American sports car, the SRT Viper, and the Jee…

I think the Patriot and its ugly sister, Compass, will go down in history with the 80's-90's Cherokee as The Jeep That Runs Forever. Although they are much more of a street vehicle, I see people are getting a heck of a lot of wear out of these Jeeplets.

An interior shot of the next generation Jeep Grand Cherokee has leaked out via a user on Instagram and by the looks of it, its going much more upscale. The interior looks wide and sleek with the center stack flowing into the center console. The standard dash cluster gets a new 7-inch screen or an optional 10.5-inch cluster will be available. For the center stack, 7-inch, 8.4-inch, and 10.1-inch Uconnect screens will be available, much like in the latest RAM trucks. There will be a new heads up display and the gear selector goes from being a shift lever to a rotary dial found in other FCA vehicles. The chassis code for this generation Grand Cherokee is WL and is ex…

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has been working hard on trying to fix the nagging issues with the nine-speed automatic in the Jeep Cherokee and certain Chrysler 200s with constant updates. But those updates aren't making a dent in those issues as a number of complaints of hard shifts, lunging, and unexpected disengagement of the transmission litter the 2014 Jeep Cherokee page on SaferCar.gov. Automotive News has learned that Chrysler will be issuing a new update to 2014 and 2015 model year Jeep Cherokees and certain 2015 Chrysler 200s for the nine-speed transmission. This update only applies for models equipped with the 2.4L four-cylinder. A spokeswoman from FCA says the upda…

William Maley Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com June 18, 2013 A few weeks ago, Chrysler put on a defying stance by saying no to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration order to recall about 2.7 million Jeep SUVs due to concerns of fires erupting from rear-end collisions. "Chrysler Group has been working and sharing data with the Agency on this issue since September 2010. The company does not agree with NHTSA’s conclusions and does not intend to recall the vehicles cited in the investigation. The subject vehicles are safe and are not defective," the company said in a statement. Today, the company changed course and announced they would recall the 2.7 millio…

Ever since the rumor of a Chinese automaker possibly buying Fiat Chrysler Automobiles came to light last week, the various Chinese brands have been saying 'not us'. It seemed no one was interested in taking FCA to the dance, or wanted to admit it out loud. That changed today as Great Wall Motor revealed to Automotive News that it was interested in buying FCA, well part of it. Great Wall President Wang Fengying wrote in an email to Automotive News that the company is intending to buy Jeep and is "connecting with FCA" to possibly begin negotiations. Xu Hui, a spokesman for Great Wall said in a follow-up email that the company "has indirectly expressed interest in Jeep …

After the sudden departure of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares on December 1st, Stellantis brands are making quick work of reversing some of the embattled CEO's decisions. One such decision was the removal of the 8-Speed Torqueflite automatic transmission from V6 powered Wranglers for the 2025 model year making the manual transmission the only option for buyers wanting the V6. Those needing an automatic could only choose the 4-cylinder turbo, the 4xe Plug-in Hybrid, or the final year offering of the V8 powered Rubicon 392 Final Edition.  Due to enthusiast and dealer outcry, on December 18th, Jeep announced that the 8-speed automatic would be r…

The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer has been talked about for the past few years, mostly in terms of delays and figuring out what platform will underpin it. But a new report from Road & Track reveals Jeep has something very special in store. An internal document from transmission supplier ZF lists the 2018 production and pre-production vehicles using a version of their 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission. Among the vehicles listed the Grand Wagoneer with the platform code ZS. What makes this more intriguing is the mention of a Grand Wagoneer Trackhawk. The listing says it has a 6.2L V8 and produces 729 PS - about 718 horsepower. Like the Grand Cherokee Trackh…

We know that Jeep is planning to replace the Compass and Patriot with one new model later this year, and we now have our first look at it undisguised. Brazilan outlet AUTOO got their hands of the new model before a photo shoot. We can't tell if the name is Compass or something else on the front door due to the poor quality of the pictures. Everyone seems to believe it is Compass so we're going with that. The design looks to be a mashup of Grand Cherokee in the front and Cherokee for the remainder. There is the iconic seven-slot grille up front, albeit somewhat narrow. AUTOO says the Brazilian-spec Compass will be offered with a 2.0L Tigershark four-cylinder or…

Jeep is said to be working on a tiny crossover that will slot below the Renegade in size and will likely launch in 2022. The estimated size would be around 4-meters in length which puts it slightly shorter than a Nissan Juke. The primary competitive target is the Suzuki Jimny, a model not sold in the United States, but a segment important to Jeep globally. Jeep says that the new model would offer day-to-day practicality but still have the off-road prowess that people expect from a Jeep. As FCA is in a big push to electrify its vehicles these days, some form of electrification is likely with even a fully electric model possible. Though not offered in the U.S., FCA do…

Stellantis has paused all work at its Brampton Assembly Plant while it decides the fate of the next generation Jeep Compass. Production of pilot models of the next generation Compass was originally to begin on January 20th, however, the company decided last autumn to move the pilot production start date into May of 2025. Originally scheduled to go into full production in February of 2026 as a fully electric vehicle with a gasoline version offered later. The sudden resignation of Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares in December of 2024 has Stellantis reevaluating product roadmaps across all of its brands. Stellantis has not said how long the pause in activity would be n…

Trying to figure what is going with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Jeep could be a full-time job. This week has seen Chinese Automaker Great Wall announce its intentions of possibly buying Jeep from FCA, before backtracking on that a day later. Then rumors surfaced that FCA is considering spinning off Maserati and Alfa Romeo, along with its components operations. Now there is another twist. According to a report from Bloomberg, FCA believes Jeep could sell as many vehicles as a standalone automaker thanks to the increased demand for SUVs. The company forecasts that Jeep's annual sales will rise 30 percent to two million next year. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne told analys…

The Jeep Compass and Patriot crossovers will merge into one model in the next few years. CarAdvice.com.au spoke with Jeep director Jim Morrison at the launch of the Renegade where he revealed the two models will become one. “Yes, those two models will become one,” Morrison said. “That’ll be the Compatriot.” Before you start groaning about 'Compatriot', Morrison says thats a 'fun' name for the upcoming model - i.e. not going onto the production model. Now the model will sit between the new Renegade and Cherokee. The new model is expected to debut next year, with sales following a year after. Source: CarAdvice.com.au View full article

Most of the spy shots we have seen of the Jeep Wrangler have been of the four-door Unlimited. Today, we have finally gotten our first look at the two-door version. We were not expecting any significant changes from the four to the two-door aside from the shorter length. But it is nice to know that Jeep hasn't forgotten about. You can make out the headlights and bumpers that appear be slightly angled at either end. Jeep will once again offer the Wrangler with a hard and soft top. We still don't know any technical details about the next-generation Wrangler aside from rumors. They include various body panels being made out of aluminum, use a new chassis, and come w…

Jeep is looking to move upmarket to compete with the likes of the Range Rover. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said last weekend at the opening of a Alfa Romeo and Maserati dealership near Toronto that brand is missing an opportunity. “When I see a Range Rover on the street, my blood boils, because we should be able to do a thing like that. And we will,” said Marchionne. At the moment, the most expensive Jeep is the Grand Cherokee which tops off at $48,795 for the Summit w/o options. Jeep is working a three-row model that will be coming out in 2016 - possibly named the Grand Wagoneer. Marchionne declined to provide any other details about the vehicle, partly due…