Tag Archives: Jeep Wrangler

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Report: Toyota reaffirms commitment to body-on-frame SUVs

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By Brandon Turkus

2014 Toyota 4Runner front three-quarter

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Toyota sold 121,055 Highlander CUVs in 2012, according to Automotive News. By comparison, it sold 78,457 examples of four different body-on-frame, truck-based SUVs (4Runner, FJ Cruiser, Sequoia and Land Cruiser). One could argue then, that the traditional SUVs aren’t pulling their weight from a sales perspective. Yet that isn’t stopping Toyota from reaffirming its commitment to a segment that has seen its former champions – Ford, General Motors and Chrysler – abandon it with alarming speed. Ford and GM still offer body-on frame utilities, but only in the very largest offerings, catering to seven or even eight passengers. Everything outside of the Expedition or Tahoe rides now on a unibody.

Toyota’s decision to stick with the technology is good news if you’re in the market for smaller SUVs that are still capable of heading well off the beaten path. Outside of the Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee (a unibody) and perhaps Nissan Xterra, there’s not much in terms of capable SUVs between $20,000 and $50,000. As the Toyota brand’s US head, Bill Fay, says, “Clearly, the trend has shifted, but there is still an owner base that is interested in these vehicles.”

We don’t doubt Fay on that, but it may also be somewhat telling that Toyota’s SUV lineup is aging, and we haven’t seen or heard much about replacement models in the pipeline. Admittedly, the 4Runner (pictured) has been facelifted for 2014, but it’s mostly cosmetic in nature. Despite Toyota’s posturing, we still expect its body-on-frame lineup to thin in the coming years as sales dwindle and escalating fuel-economy standards make business cases even tougher. Here’s hoping that Toyota manages to keep at least one rough-and-tumble SUV in its lineup in the coming years.

Toyota reaffirms commitment to body-on-frame SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jul 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2013 Chevrolet Camaro SS Hot Wheels Edition

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By John Neff

2013 Chevy Camaro Hot Wheels Special Edition - parked in front of Toys R Us store

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Pairing your car, truck or SUV with another brand is a tried-and-true method to create the sort of positive association that sells vehicles, or at least gives them an attractive new look and higher margins. Ford knows this, having paired the Explorer and rugged apparel brand Eddie Bauer in the ’90s with great success, and the F-150 with iconic motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson since 2000 (that partnership, however, has ended with the 2012 model year).

Not every partnership is geared towards making a vehicle appear more macho, though. The Fiat 500 by Gucci, for instance, matches the cute Cinquecento with a high fashion icon (something Cadillac tried back in 1979), and Lexus has a history of Coach Edition models that came with higher grade leather and matching luggage. Indeed, this 2013 Chevy Camaro Hot Wheels Special Edition isn’t even the only pairing of toy and car, another example being the recent Call of Duty MW3 and Black Ops editions of the Jeep Wrangler. It isn’t even the only Camaro co-branded with a toy – the 2012 Transformers Edition with Bumblebee paint job preceded it.

Pairing your automobile with something sold inside a Toys R Us, however, can be tricky. Fashion and apparel brands have more universal appeal among adult buyers than, for instance, the latest first-person-shooter video game. Partnering with a brand that markets primarily to children can also communicate the wrong thing about the person who buys such a vehicle – that he or she has a Peter Pan syndrome, not wanting to grow up, buy that sensible sedan and get on with life like the rest of us. Then again, buying a Hot Wheels Special Edition Camaro could just mean you remember the fun side of life and have the extra disposable income to show it.

Driving Notes

  • The Hot Wheels Special Edition options package is a $6,995 question that needs answering when ordering your Camaro 2LT (V6) or 2SS (V8) coupe or convertible. The package includes Kinetic Blue metallic paint; 21-inch black aluminum wheels with red striping; the Camaro’s RS appearance package; Hot Wheels badging, decals and embroidery; premium floor mats and a painted engine cover. Nothing here makes the car go quicker, turn better or stop shorter, which is fine, as the Camaro’s got plenty of other packages and models that do that. This test car was also equipped with the optional dual-mode performance exhaust for $895 and navigation system for $795, bringing its out-the-door price minus tax to $45,720.
  • In creating this Hot Wheels Special Edition model, Chevy designers have done a good job walking the fine line between attention-grabbing aesthetics and gratuitously over-the-top looks. The Kinetic Blue paint pops, but not nearly as much as some other Camaro colors (remember Synergy Green?). The design of the wheels is a matter of taste, and they appear neatly inspired by their 1:64 scale counterparts, but no one …read more

    Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Automobiles

Report: Chrysler extending production of current Dodge Avenger, Jeep Wrangler, Grand Caravan

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By Steven J. Ewing

2013 Dodge Avenger

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Are you hesitant to pull the trigger on a brand new Dodge Avenger in hopes that a new one will be coming? Well, don’t hold your breath. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler will be extending production of the current Avenger sedan through the end of 2015.

Originally, we heard that the company would kill the Avenger to better focus its midsize sedan efforts on the Chrysler 200 replacement. But then new reports stated there would indeed be an Avenger successor, and that we could see it as early as next January. This Detroit News report cites supplier sources confirming the extension of Avenger production, though Chrysler has not released an official statement on the matter.

These same suppliers say that the current Jeep Wrangler will live on through mid-2018 – that’s right, another five years. The Detroit News reports that a replacement for the iconic, go-anywhere Jeep was due in mid-2016.

Lastly, the report mentions that the Dodge Grand Caravan minivan will remain in production through late 2017, though its Chrysler Town & Country counterpart will be replaced by an all-new vehicle for the 2016 model year. This only further backs reports that the Grand Caravan will be killed from the Chrysler Group portfolio, with the T&C remaining the only minivan in production at the company’s Windsor facility.

Chrysler extending production of current Dodge Avenger, Jeep Wrangler, Grand Caravan originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jul 2013 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobiles

ETC: Convertible 2013 Range Rover Autobiography is safari luxe

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By Jonathon Ramsey

2013 Land Rover Range Rover convertible - front three-quarter view

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The idea of a convertible SUVs remains attractive enough that manufacturers are still trying to figure out how to make it work – case in point, we recently heard that Range Rover continues to debate production of the Evoque convertible. On that note, the folks at Newport Convertible Engineering, lately of Acura TL convertible fame, have given us a look at what a 2013 Range Rover Autobiography looks like with its top removed.

Unlike the Evoque convertible concept, there’s quite a bit of structure left above the shoulder line. It still looks like one of the nicest ways to see lions, tigers and bears from a safe distance, or take a tour of the Champs-Elysée or Tokyo’s Ginza district.

For now, the issue with every topless SUV that isn’t shaped like a box is what they look like with the top up, and the convertible Range doesn’t escape the quandary unscathed; the only two that do escape are the Jeep Wrangler and Land Rover Defender, because they’re shaped like boxes. As a second vehicle for your rain-free third home in Scottsdale or South Africa, however, it could be the thing.

Convertible 2013 Range Rover Autobiography is safari luxe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Jul 2013 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Angry giraffe frightens vacationers on safari in Jurassic Park-style chase

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

Angry giraffe chases safari-goers in an open-top truck - video screencap

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Step aside Steven Spielberg, here’s a real-life animal-versus-car that did not require CGI nor a multi-million dollar production budget. As some vacationers on safari in South Africa recently learned, an upset 13-foot tall giraffe can be just as terrifying as the Tyrannosaurus Rex that chased down Jeff Goldblum and a Jeep Wrangler in the 1993 blockbuster film Jurassic Park.

According to reports, the safari group was photographing a wild giraffe, when for some reason, the animal began to chase the open-top vehicle at speeds upwards of 30 miles per hour. At one point, the giraffe even sideswipes the truck, knocking off the side mirror before the driver was finally able to escape the animal’s pursuit. All that’s missing is a little John Williams music bed.

Scroll down to watch two news reports showing the dramatic chase, an incident we’re sure the safari-goers will remember for years to come.

Continue reading Angry giraffe frightens vacationers on safari in Jurassic Park-style chase

Angry giraffe frightens vacationers on safari in Jurassic Park-style chase originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler thinking of taking on Ford SVT Raptor?

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By Jeremy Korzeniewski

Ram Runner

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An argument could be made that Chrysler already offers a competitor to the much-loved Ford Raptor in the form of the Ram Runner pickup. The difference, though, is that Ford builds the Raptor right on the production line, whereas Ram requires the buyer to have modifications made at one of its dealerships after the initial purchase is made.

That distinction may soon be a thing of the past, according to a report from Wards Auto. “If we could see that the volume was significant enough that it makes sense to do it, we’ll do it,” says Pat Dougherty, vice president of Mopar parts, sales and field operations. “But if we don’t, then we’ll continue to do it the way we do it.”

Additionally, Chrysler would reportedly like to put more emphasis on the fuel efficiency of its off-road-ready lineup, which is spearheaded by the Jeep Wrangler. Says Dougherty, “For a lot of the people who go off-roading (but) actually drive their vehicle as a daily driver, they want to make sure they’re getting fuel efficiency while they’re driving to work.”

Chrysler thinking of taking on Ford SVT Raptor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Jeep gunning to build 250,000 Cherokees a year

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

2014 Jeep Cherokee on road - front three-quarter view, driving

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Contrary to what a certain politician may have said last year about Jeep moving to China, the automaker is in fact doing the opposite, with plans to greatly increase the production capacity at its Toledo North Assembly plant in Ohio. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that there are big plans for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and Toledo North, as a local union president has informed the newspaper that Chrysler is planning to produce around 250,000 examples of the new midsize utility per year.

To put this number into context, 250,000 units is more than what Jeep Liberty sales totaled here over the last three years combined. Even taking into consideration that the 250,000 units will be distributed beyond US borders, that’s an ambitious volume figure full-stop – and that’s without taking into consideration the new Cherokee’s love/hate design. In its favor, though, Jeep is making remarkable inroads globally as of late, and the Cherokee’s size could work well in emerging markets. To get that kind of output from Toledo’s Cherokee assembly line, Chrysler will reportedly hire 1,105 new workers – that’s in addition to the 200 workers already being hired to build the popular Jeep Wrangler, which is itself expected to top 220,000 units this year.

Jeep gunning to build 250,000 Cherokees a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Mar 2013 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jeep Teases Two Concepts For The 2013 Moab Easter Jeep Safari

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By Kurt Ernst

Jeep's Trailhawk II concept

Jeep’s Trailhawk II concept

Every spring, robins fly north, the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano and Jeep owners descend on Moab, Utah for the annual Easter Jeep Safari. It’s also the time of year when Jeep and Mopar roll out a string of concepts and customized off-road vehicles, many of which will (sadly) never see the inside of a dealer’s showroom. On the other hand, Mopar-befitted Jeeps probably help sell a lot of accessories for the brand, which is why the event is so critical to Chrysler.

In 2011 and 2012, Jeep and Mopar showed six concepts, so we expect a similar number this year. Chrysler has just released two images of Jeeps that will be appearing in 2013, and we have to admit that neither one really does it for us. The Trailhawk II appears to be a modified Jeep Grand Cherokee, but aside from the bright orange paint, lifted suspension and off-road tires, we can’t see anything particularly exciting about it.

The same holds true for the Wrangler “Slim,” which looks to be little more than a hot pink Jeep Wrangler with a lift, new front bumper and off-road tires. Surely Chrysler is holding back on the good stuff until the event is near, since neither concept shows the imagination (and engineering) that the brand has exhibited for past Easter Jeep Safaris.

Jeep Wrangler “Slim” concept

On the other hand, Chrysler’s parent, Fiat, isn’t exactly prospering from European sales, so budgets have likely been pared back from previous years. We hope this is just a head fake from Chrysler, and that we can all have a good laugh about it in a few weeks. If the budget for the Moab Easter Jeep Safari has been slashed, though, we can’t imagine what other cuts are coming in the near future.

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Source: FULL ARTICLE at Automotive Addicts

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Report: Chrysler adding 200 jobs at Ohio Jeep Wrangler plant

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By Chris Paukert

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 - orange - front three-quarter view, muddy

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Chrysler is betting that the Jeep Wrangler will continue its strong sales surge as it continues to push the legendary brand out across the globe. The Auburn Hills automaker is reportedly adding 200 workers at the Toledo, Ohio plant that builds the Wrangler. What’s more, those new hires will be at their posts quickly – they’ll be on the job by April 1. Of those 200 workers, 130 employees will be there to relieve those who need breaks.

Why do they need so many relief workers? The Toledo Jeep Complex is currently working at a torrid pace with two ten-hour shifts. A third shift has been ruled out for the moment because of a production botttleneck – the plant’s paint shop is already maxed out. According to Reuters, Wrangler production in 2012 cleared 200,000 units, and US sales were up by 16 percent.

Another part of the Toledo plant is presently down as Chrysler retools the line to build Jeep’s divisively styled Liberty replacement, the Cherokee (seen in our gallery below). Production for the new model is scheduled to begin toward the end of May.

Chrysler adding 200 jobs at Ohio Jeep Wrangler plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Another crazy custom Jeep Wrangler spotted in Morocco

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By Jeremy Korzeniewski

Jeep Wrangler International custom

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What in the world is the vehicle you see above? Well, um… yeah. We have no idea. According to the video description from YouTube, however, it’s a modified Jeep Wrangler, and it comes from the same person who created the equally insane side-by-side merged Wrangler you saw here.

We can clearly make out the Wrangler-shaped passenger compartment up top, but as for the other bits and pieces that make up this rather amazing machine, your guess is as good as ours. At the very least, it seems to us that the car’s wheelbase has been given a significant stretch, and the grille may have come from an International LoneStar Harley-Davidson Special Edition semi truck.

What other components are sourced from the massive International hauler? No idea. We suggest you check out the video below and draw your own conclusions. Oh, and if you’ve got any other ideas, feel free to let us know in the Comments.

Continue reading Another crazy custom Jeep Wrangler spotted in Morocco

Another crazy custom Jeep Wrangler spotted in Morocco originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Mar 2013 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Quick Spin: 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4

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By Michael Harley

2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon covered in mud

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Ice skates are spectacular on frozen water, yet they are dreadful everyday footwear. I consider the Jeep Wrangler equally as specialized.

I recently spent a week with a 2013 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4X4. Introduced for the 2007 model year, the Wrangler Unlimited is a standard JK two-door with 20.6 inches added to its wheelbase and two additional doors bolted to its passenger compartment. While Jeep offers the Unlimited in seven different trim levels, the desirable Rubicon is the most capable when the pavement ends, as it boasts a slew of hardcore off-road tools including front and rear electronic locking differentials and sway bars that can be disengaged at the touch of a button for improved articulation. My I-Look-Like-A-Traffic-Cone test model started with a base price of $34,095 (plus $995 destination). Options including a five-speed automatic transmission, Uconnect, tow package and a premium soft top, drove the bottom line up to $38,630.

Driving Notes

  • On one hand, it would be difficult to find a new vehicle less competent on pavement. Despite its many improvements over the years, handling is still very sloppy, with initial turn-in delayed and mushy. The brakes felt strong, but stopping distances seemed long. Most of the blame is aimed at the aggressive BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires. The rubber is excellent for post-apocalyptic travel, but the tire’s large tread blocks squirmed uncomfortably when tasked with changing direction on pavement. (To allay any concerns, stability control bundled with electronic roll mitigation is standard, so it would take real effort to actually get a wheel off the ground.)
  • On the other hand, few vehicles on the market are as competent off-road – and none are at this price point. Exploring Hungry Valley SRVA, an off-road park north of Los Angeles, the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was all but unstoppable. I drove effortlessly through deep, soft sand, climbed steep hills like a mountain goat and danced through sticky mud. Generous approach and departure angles allowed the Jeep to go where other rigs only dream, and the electronic sway bar disconnect system allowed the two live axles to articulate at obscene angles.
  • Thanks to its strong Pentastar V6 (new for 2012), the Rubicon had plenty of power. The off-road park is up near 5,000 feet in elevation, but the 3.6-liter pulled strongly and never felt out of breath. Fuel economy isn’t impressive, but that is what Jerry Cans are for.
  • The ride quality of the long-wheelbase four-door is predictably better than on the two-door. My passengers found the second row fairly comfortable compared to the rear accommodations in a compact SUV or CUV. Some occupants, especially younger ones, complained about the lack of running boards as the step-in is high (in Jeep’s defense, the low-hanging protrusions just get in the way off-road), and everyone complained about drafts from the soft top. Of course, it was nothing but smiles when the truck was flinging muddy water all over itself – kids love …read more
    Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog
Automobiles

Official: Jeep follows up Super Bowl spot with call to help the USO

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By Jeffrey N. Ross

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Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition

Once again, Chrysler had one of the most talked about Super Bowl commercials with its two-minute Whole Again Jeep spot, which was used to highlight its Operation SAFE Return program for US military personnel returning home from active duty. As part of this campaign, Jeep announced today that it will be donating up to $300,000 to the United Services Organizations (USO), and you can help.

Simply tweet using the #joinOSR hashtag on Twitter, visit the Yahoo! homepage or go to the Jeep Operation SAFE Return website, and Jeep will donate $1 to a fund that provides returning troops things like employment assistance and incentives to buy new vehicles. Jeep is also donating to this charity to the tune of $250 for each Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited (including the Freedom Edition model) and Jeep Patriot Freedom Edition model sold.

Jeep follows up Super Bowl spot with call to help the USO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler 300S Turbine Edition Harks Back to ’63 Turbine Car; We Offer Brief History Lesson [2013 Detroit Auto Show]

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By Alexander Stoklosa

Chrysler 300S Turbine Edition

Turbine-powered cars enjoyed a brief period where the public was largely fascinated by the concept in the 1950s and ’60s, but the infatuation pretty much died along with the space age. Chrysler is bringing a bit of that Motorama-style mojo back with an extremely orange-colored 300S sedan called, semi-appropriately enough, the Turbine edition. The one-off sedan debuted at the 2013 Detroit auto show and was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the limited-production 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, a unique ride with which it shares its Turbine Bronze hue, if not its level of gloss. 

Chrysler 300S Turbine Edition

Before you get too excited, allow us to take some of the fan blades out of your turbine by noting that the 300S Turbine edition is not powered by a turbine. Instead, it gets the 300S’s V-6 mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. But it has a cool paint job: The orange paint is of the matte-finish variety, and it’s set off by a black-painted roof (just like the original’s black vinyl-covered job), window trim, and headlight and taillight accents. Chrysler fitted the Turbine edition with a set of pleasingly Saab-like, turbine-styled wheels; the meaty rims measure 22 inches in diameter and feature 20 machined spokes. Finally, there’s a billet aluminum grille and lower intake insert that match a set of platinum-finished side mirror caps.

1963 Chrysler Turbine

Where It All Began

As for the original Turbine Car, it was a dreamer’s dream car that actually saw some customer use. Chrysler built 55 of the two-door, four-passenger coupes, putting 45 of those into the hands of real people for three-month trials between 1963 and 1966. Though Chrysler penned the car’s shape, the Turbine’s body was assembled by Ghia of Italy and shipped back to the U.S., where it was paired with the unique transmission and a chassis. (The photos you see here are original Chrysler press images that we dug out of our archives; you can see more in the gallery below.)

1963 Chrysler Turbine

A few of our favorite Turbine features include its jet-intake-style front headlight surrounds, jet-exhaust-style taillight treatment, nifty turbine-patterned wheel and tire detailing, and its tachometer that lists rpms for the power turbine in 5,000-unit intervals up to 60,000. (In reality, the power turbine could spin to only 45,700 rpm—take that, Wankel!) That power turbine lived in a twin-shaft engine that pumped out 130 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. Since we usually deal in pistons, crankshafts, pushrods, cams, and the like here at C/D, allow us to provide a brief refresher on how the car’s regenerative turbine engine works.

1963 Chrysler Turbine

It essentially is made up of four key components: an air compressor, two heat exchangers, and two shafts—one of which is an output shaft. Air enters the front of the engine and is immediately compressed in the air compressor before being warmed by the heat exchangers (one exchanger sits on each side of the engine); next, fuel is sprayed into the compressed, heated air and ignited. After the air/fuel mixture burns at more than 1800 degrees fahrenheit, the resulting hot gases are directed through vanes attached to both the front shaft (which drives the compressor) and the power turbine’s vane (which drives the output shaft), spinning them. The gases are again routed through the heat exchangers (providing the heat for the earlier step in which the intake air is warmed) before being exhausted.

The Turbine car’s turbine engine was bolted to a mildly modified—it lacked a torque converter—Chrysler TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. Why no torque converter? Because the flow of hot gas that drives the power turbine’s vanes pretty much mimics a typical torque converter’s fluid coupling, so keeping the TorqueFlite’s unit would be redundant. Intriguingly, the turbine engine could run on pretty much any combustible fuel, from gasoline to diesel, or even vodka.

Back to the Future

Do we wish Chrysler had decided to actually fit a 300S with a turbine engine? Of course, but reality—and budgets for tributes to experimental cars past—make that a thin possibility. More interesting than any alternative engine technologies for Chrysler’s past and future pet projects is the Turbine edition’s paint itself. A Chrysler representative told us that the company is taking a serious look at matte paint for production on special or high-performance models. While no specifics were given, it’s safe to assume that cars like the Fiat 500 Abarth, maybe a Jeep Wrangler or two, and anything with an SRT badge would make decent candidates. Plus, Chrysler wouldn’t be entering uncharted waters—several full-line automakers offer matte paint, including Hyundai, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. What about a matte-finished, turbine-powered SRT Vip—okay, we’ll stop. 

Chrysler 300S Turbine Edition

2013 Detroit Auto Show full coverage

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Car & Driver

Automobiles

Video: Jeep Wrangler gets the wide-track treatment

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By Jonathon Ramsey

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When we read the tip about a Gulf-state diplomat in Rabat, Morocco who had supposedly “merged two Jeep Wranglers,” we figured the two off-roaders were somehow linked front-to-back. Oh no. As you can see in the image above, taken from video of that vehicle actually traveling down the road and needing more than one lane to do it, the two Jeeps were put together side-by-side.

The seriously widebody truck is said to have six wheels, one at each corner and two in the middle. That’s about all anyone seems to know about it at the moment, and that’s probably enough – in these situations you know better than to ask why, just watch the video below.

Continue reading Jeep Wrangler gets the wide-track treatment

Jeep Wrangler gets the wide-track treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2013 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Review & Test Drive

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‘THE KING OF OFF-ROAD WARRIORS’
You can go deep when you are piloting the Jeep Wrangler, and even deeper toward your off-road destination in the Rubicon.  In fact the Rubicon model has successfully traversed the nearly impossible Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Mountains just north of Sacramento.  This Trail Rated model has no foes when it comes to trail busting off the road.  While it’s off-road prowess in world renowned, the interior is more civilized, comfortable and high-tech as any other sport utility model on the market.

New for model year 2013 includes an easy-lift top mechanism and anew premium material soft top.  Wrangler also adds comfort and convenience features with new more comfortable and supportive seats, auto-dimming rearview mirror with LED map lighting, new interior lighting, dual windshield washers to better clear off debris, available Alpine speakers and a premium Tire Pressure Monitoring System.  For the 2013 model year, engineers for the Jeep Wrangler-the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world-focused their attention on interior ergonomics and 4X4 capability.  The goal was to make Wrangler even more enjoyable and comfortable on a daily basis from the inside out while continuing to improve its off-road ability.

With the introduction of the all-new powertrain for 2012-a 3.6 liter, all-aluminum V6 engine with DOHC and VVT generating a trail-busting 285 hp and 260 lb.ft. of torque mated to a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic with AutoStick sequential shifting, Wrangler features improved on-road performance combined with even more off-road prowess.  Now, with new features added to the interior, the 2013 Wrangler adds improved comfort to its long list of benefits.  The result is an untouched level of capability off-road, combined with on-road dynamics, fuel efficiency and interior comfort that make Jeep Wrangler the perfect vehicle for fun daily driving, weekend trail-running or extreme off-road wheeling.

Passengers are now greeted by new front and rear seats.  Re-contoured and with larger side bolsters, these seats are comfortable for long drives while offering more support for sporting off-road activities.  Interior courtesy lighting is now found under the instrument panel as well as the cupholder areas for front and rear passengers.  An auto-dimming electro-chromatic mirror is standard on all models and will feature LED map lights for front passengers.  The optional premium tire pressure monitoring system can give direct read-outs for each individual tire.  The Rubicon receives a new optional wheel design-an aggressive 17 in. 10-hole alloy wheel with polished accents and a mid-gloss gray painted inner face.  My new Wrangler Rubicon came equipped with the beefy B.F. Goodrich LT255/75R17 in. T/A Mud Terrain Baja Champion tires with 3-ply sidewalls for extra strength off-road.

The 2013 Jeep Wrangler delivers unmatched off-road capability with legendary four-wheel drive and is produced with more than seven decades of 4X4 engineering experience.  Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers, four-wheel vented power assisted brakes, and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offers a six-speed manual in addition to its five-speed automatic transmission.
The Jeep Wrangler is available with several axle gear ratios allowing customers to optimize fuel economy and/or vehicle capability.  Wrangler is available with 3.21, 3.73 or 4.10 ratios depending on model.  Also, Wrangler offers towing capability up to 3,500 lbs.

The Wrangler Rubicon that I tested features heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles and the Rock-Trac NV241 two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low range gear ratio.  Rubicon also includes electric front and rear locking differentials, disconnecting front sway bar and 32 in. tires wrapped with 17X7.5 in. alloy wheels all taking the Wrangler Rubicon to the highest level of capability.
The interior combines rich styling, versatility, comfort and intuitive feature use.  Highlights include automatic temperature controls, heated seats, steering wheel controls for vehicle systems, dual cupholders, storage bin and armrest, dual map lights, storage bin above the center stack, variable speed wipers/washers, and thick cut-pile carpeting.  The large rear windows are engineered for greater visibility.  A USB port connects to the media center, a 12-volt accessory outlet.  Standard features in the Rubicon not mentioned above includes A/C, Media Center, 368-watt 7-speaker Infinity sound system with subwoofer, audio jack input for mobile devices, Sirius satellite radio, temperature/compass heading, tilt/leather-wrapped steering wheel, reclining front bucket seats with height-adjustable driver’s seat, giant grab handle above the glove box, rear fold-and-tumble seat, rear compartment covered storage, instrument cluster with chrome rings with more chrome  rings around the steering wheel center, switches and dials.  Front floor mats round out the new up-level interior.

Optional equipment in my Rubicon Wrangler included connectivity group, remote USB port, electronic vehicle information display, Uconnect voice command with Bluetooth, power/heated sideview mirrors, remote keyless entry, power one-touch windows/door locks, security system, hill descent control, body-color 3-piece hardtop, body- color fenders, freedom panel storage bag, rear window defroster/wiper/washer, tinted rear quarter and rear flip-up windows, media center 430N SAT/CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/Nav system with 40GB hardrive, with 28GB available storage, 6.5 in. touch screen display GPS navigation.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon features the signature classic round headlamps, seven-slot grille, trapezoid wheel flares, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable and convertible tops and half doors that allow the Wrangler to retain the brank’s iconic appearance and function, plus the 4X4 Trail rated badge on the driver’s-side and the Rubicon graphic on the side of the hood.  The exterior also includes side rock rails, swing-out rear door with flipper glass and holding the full-size spare tire, dual front tow hooks/single rear tow hook, transfer case skid plate shield, cruise control, fuel tank skid plate shield and front skid plate shield.

Standard safety systems include traction control, hydraulic brake assist, advanced multi-stage front airbags, electronic stability control, four-point roll bar, 3-point seatbelts with front pretensioners/load limiters, and electronic roll mitigation.
Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys.  On road or way off-road, if you want to go deep do it in a Jeep!

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Beauty Left Up Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Beauty Headon LA Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Beauty Side Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Beauty Rear Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Dashboard Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Cluster Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Passenger Side Interior Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Door Trim Done Small
2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door Engine Done Small

Copyright: 2012 Harvey Schwartz
SPECIFICATIONS

Price: Base Wrangler Rubicon 2-Door $29,995.00 / $35,940.00 as tested including $900.00 destination charges
Engine: 3.6 liter DOHC V6 285 hp @ 6400 rpm / 260 lb.ft. torque @ 4800 rpm
Suspension: F-live axle, link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, high-pressure gas-charged monotube shocks, stabilizer bar R-live axle, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs, monotube high-pressure gas-charged shocks
Turning circle: 34.9 ft.
Brakes: F-11.9 in. vented discs/single-piston calipers R-11.9 in. vented discs/single-piston calipers/ABS/Hydraulic Brake Assist
Wheelbase: 95.4 in.
Track: F-61.9/R-61.9 in.
Overall length: 152.8 in.
Overall width: 73.7 in.
Overall height: 70.9 in.
Fuel tank: 18.6 gallons
Approach angle: 44.3
Breakover angle: 25.4
Departure angle: 40.4
Front axle to ground: 10.5 in.
Rear axle to ground: 10.2 in.
Curb weight: 4,129 lbs.
Headroom: F/R-41.3/40.3 in.
Legroom: F/R-41/35.6 in.
Cargo volume: rear seat upright-12.8/rear seat folded-55 cu.ft.
EPA mileage: 17mpg/city, 21mpg/highway

Source: Automotive Addicts