Wrangler to get “special” treatment

The Jeep Wrangler will be getting the “special” treatment over its final year in JK form, with several named editions to be issued, according to Automotive News’ Larry Vellequette.

The Wrangler JL is due in late 2017, as a 2018 model. Automotive News believes the current JK series will end in September 2017, but one Allpar source believes the JK and JL will overlap for the 2018 model year.

According to the industry weekly, dealers have already been told about the 2017 Wrangler Sport Freedom and Sahara Winter editions, with sales starting in December. Oddly, the Freedom will only last until February, while Winter will continue through May.

The Sport Freedom comes with a star motif on the hood and fenders, an American flag decal on one fender, and other badging; 18-inch Sahara wheels, a new rear differential cover, black fuel door cover, and taillamp guards, for $30,690 (add $3,900 for the four door) including destination.

The Sahara Winter has the LED headlamps and fog lamps introduced this year, along with remote start (automatic only), rock rails, hard top, and numerous decals, badges, and accents. The two door starts at $37,440 with the four door adding $3,800.

Automotive News claimed that other special editions would include the Sport Big Bear, Sahara Chief, Sahara Smoky Mountain, and Rubicon Recon (replacing the Hard Rock in February).

The replacement for the current Wrangler, in production for around a decade, will have an optional eight-speed automatic, which should help both acceleration and economy. It’s set to be built in Toledo, in the plant that currently makes the Cherokee; the current Toledo Wrangler plant may also be used after a refit. The Cherokee will move to Belvidere, Illinois, next month, with the Dart already gone and the current Compass/Patriot slated to be stopped.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/11/wrangler-to-get-special-treatment-35362

2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee – Where Rugged Capability Takes Center Stage

For a midsize SUV that’s able to traverse various road and weather conditions, look towards the Grand Cherokee. From the inside out, Jeep engineers have truly outdone themselves with this 2017 edition. Incredible capability intertwines with the latest innovations to produce a ride worth your while every time you hit the road. Stop by Dick Scott Motor Mall or Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram to experience the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee for sale for yourself.

The Grand Cherokee offers you three engine options to choose from, all of which are sure to exceed your expectations. The standard powertrain is the 3.6L Pentastar® V6, which expels 295 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. Thanks to its integration of Stop/Start technology, this engine is able to take you on a driving range of over 600 miles1, so you’re free to explore the unknown for hours on end without worrying about your next fill-up. For those who crave a little more, the available 5.7L V8 motor generates 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque, while the 3.0L Eco-Diesel V6 achieves 240 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, as well as a 7,400-lb. towing capacity.

When it comes to capability, the 2017 Grand Cherokee knows how to deliver a durable, sturdy performance. With the available Selec-Terrain® Traction Control System, you’ll have five modes to choose from to take on any type of road ahead: Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud, or Rock. Another amenity you can outfit the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee with is the innovative Quadra-Drive® II 4×4 system. Thanks to this feature, you’ll have superior all-weather traction and prime off-road capability – perfect for the grueling winter months or those weekend adventures. This system even comes standard with a rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential, which monitors and transfers torque to the wheels with the most traction to ensure a well-handled ride.

Whether you’re simply heading to work down I-96 or trailblazing unmapped territory, a variety of aspects adorn the exterior and interior to provide you with a drive of a lifetime every time you get behind the wheel. When you equip the Off-Road Adventure Group II, your Grand Cherokee’s underside will be sufficiently protected, as it comes standard with front suspension, fuel tank, transfer case, and underbody skid plates. To help you along every journey, opt for available Uconnect® 8.4 NAV. On the 8.4-inch center touchscreen, this system, provides you with handy 3D navigation mapping, Siri® Eyes Free, voice command, and SiriusXM® Traffic and Travel Link. And, for a crystal-clear soundtrack for every adventure, the available Harman Kardon® Audio System is the perfect addition, which features Logic 7® multichannel surround-sound processing and 19 high-performance GreenEdge® speakers.

Visit Dick Scott Motor Mall or Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and you can experience the 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee as soon as today!

Conquer City Streets and Back Roads in the 2016 Cherokee

If you desire a small SUV that can seamlessly go from the paved highway to a gravel road, it’s time you checked out the 2016 Jeep Cherokee for sale in Plymouth, MI. When you combine its off-roading power with its everyday dependability, and the presence of impressive features inside and out, the Cherokee is sure to be the SUV you’ve been waiting for.

When you want to travel off the beaten path, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee can take you there, and it all starts with its rugged engine options. The first being the 2.4L Tigershark® 4-cylinder powertrain, which not only pumps out 184 horsepower and 171 lb.-ft. of torque, but when it’s paired with the 9-speed automatic transmission, you’ll get 31 MPG hwy1 and a 489-mile range2 ­on one tank. For a more powerful drive, the 3.2L Pentastar® V6 produces an impressive 271 horsepower and 239 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s also easy to bring your boat to Lake St. Clair with its 4,500-lb. towing capacity3. Along with engine options, there are also three available 4×4 systems, depending on the sort of trail you intend on tackling. There’s even the Selec-Terrain® traction control system, allowing you to turn the knob and choose from five customizable settings: Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand/Rock, and Mud.

The exterior of the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is not only sleek and striking, but it has its own innovative features so you can make the most out of every adventure. For instance, there are available skid plates4 underneath the Cherokee to protect its underbody for the most treacherous of terrain. The signature LED Daytime Running Lights and halogen projector headlamps ensure that you can see and be seen, while the available fog lamps give you prime visibility during inclement weather. There are even available heated side mirrors so snow and ice don’t hinder your view of vehicles at your side.

On the inside, the 2016 Cherokee is stylish and smartly designed to be your home away from home. For starters, there is truly a spot for all your belongings with its impressive amount of versatility. Up front in the dash is a covered bin to keep your wallet, phone, or sunglasses handy, while the rear seats have a 60/40 split. Keep them up for 24.6 cubic ft. of storage space for groceries from Kroger, or fold them flat for an impressive 54.9 cubic ft. of space. On top of this, the front passenger seat can fold down, and there’s even in-seat storage for even more cargo carrying options. To beat the winter chill, the Cherokee offers a Cold Weather Package, which includes a wiper de-icer, heated front seats, a heated steering-wheel, and remote ignition.

To stay entertained and connected, the Jeep Cherokee comes standard with Bluetooth® technology for hands-free calling and audio streaming, while the Cherokee Trailhawk® boasts hands-free voice control over your Bluetooth®-enabled phone, audio, climate, and navigation settings. The available 8.4-inch Uconnect® touchscreen ups the ante in terms of excitement with HD Radio™, 3D landmarks, iPod® mobile integration, text message reply6, and more. Also on this screen is a display from the available ParkView® Rear Back Up Camera5 to help you become more aware of vehicles and objects behind you as you reverse.

Whether you need an SUV for the daily commute, weekend adventure, or a combination of both, the 2016 Jeep Cherokee is the vehicle you need to do both. See it today when you visit your local Jeep dealer, Dick Scott Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Plymouth, MI or Dick Scott Motor Mall in Fowlerville, MI.

The race is on: Cherokee vs Wrangler

The U.S. sales race is on between the Jeep Cherokee and the former front-running Jeep Wrangler. While the Wrangler epitomizes much of what Jeep used to be — its go-anywhere capability, nearly-all-American design and engineering, and the style-and-form ties to the original Army jeeps — the Cherokee is more practical for most people, more technologically advanced, and newer.

So far, the people have chosen the Cherokee, helped by constraints on the Wrangler’s production. Those constraints will not ease for at least a year, as the Cherokee is moved to a new plant (likely Sterling Heights or Belvidere) and the Wrangler moves into its spot.

The Wrangler has not had a full redesign for some years, and is missing some of the creature comforts of the Cherokee — some of which it can’t have anyway, since its removable roof and off-road chops reduce its comfort-and-convenience options. It is making do with a five-speed automatic, shared now only with the police edition of the Dodge Charger, while the Cherokee has a nine-speed which we’ve been assured will be completely sorted out for the 2016 model year.

So far, the Cherokee’s sales have been 178,785 from January 1 to October 31, 2015, well over the Wrangler’s 173,264. However, there’s time for the Wrangler to catch up as winter weather hits, though now it seems unlikely.

Last year, the Wrangler, at this time, was also second fiddle — to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, losing the race for #1 by around 3,400 sales. Cherokee sales are up 24% this year, Wrangler sales are up 17%, and Grand Cherokee is up just 4%. (Patriot is up by 29% but hasn’t broken 100,000 yet.) Part of the problem there, too, is capacity. Adding the Grand Cherokee to its factory-mate the Dodge Durango brings sales of 208,681. Cherokee and Wrangler each have their own factories.

The other Jeep race is between the new Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass. The Compass’ sales are up just 1%, year to date, at 52,987, while Renegade is brand new and has already cleared 44,626 sales. If Compass’ sales drop and Renegade supplies increase, the Italian-made newcomer could well beat the decade-old, heavily refreshed mini-Jeep.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2015/11/the-race-is-on-cherokee-vs-wrangler-30641

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Review

Although many expected a radical change and innovation with the new model 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it will unfortunately not happen with this generation of Cherokee model. According to verified information, this model will next year go on sale as a model for 2016 year. The biggest change will be the new automatic transmission. Standard for each new model are minor changes in some segments of the interior and exterior. Major changes on Cherokee should not be expected before 2017, maybe and later.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Specs

It is hard to decide whether it is better to drive this model on ordinary town road or enjoy in the temptations, steps and inclines through forest roads. In this adventure, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee on the best way showing its main characteristic – reliability, regardless of the road conditions, and weather. This model also provides pleasant feeling in driving. Nominated is as a chief in its competition.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Design

Italian designers have marked the interior. Distinctive appearance characterized rich segments, constructed from high quality materials and with digitized all the commands. Tech adds in interior include 8.4″ touchscreen, then 19-speakers, more than 90 info on the panel and 12 different parameters for tractions. Luxury and style, great sound isolation and satisfactory parameters will follow and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Exterior will not have radical changes. For expect is that new model bring new design of light-groups, re-stylish grille, bumper and air intakes. Offer could include and new body colors.

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine

Better fuel efficiency, slightly advanced aerodynamic characteristics and handling will follow new model. Under the hood will be engines with more power, which will cause higher towing capacity. 2016 Grand Cherokee will run 3.6-litre V6 engine. This Pentastar product is capable to produce up to 290 hp. The second option is a 5.7-litre V8 Hemi engine with more power than its predecessor, more than 360 hp. Towing capacity will be more than 8000 pounds (3,630 kg). Engines will be paired to the automatic ZF gearbox with eight speeds. EPA estimates will be better. Previous model was rated with 20/23 mpg (3.6L engine) and with 23/30 mpg (5.7L engine) in city/highway driving (consumes 7.5 liters on 100 kilometers).

2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Price and Release

This model of SUV category will have main rivals in models such as Ford Explorer, then Honda Pilot LX and Toyota Highlander. Also, new model will offer and diesel engine. 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel will continue competition with similar models from Volkswagen, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Model will be released early next fall, with the same range of price. So, new model will cost between $ 30,590 and $ 65,390.

Read more at: http://2016carsreview.com/2016-jeep-grand-cherokee/

Jeep Trackhawk: 600 hp?

The Dodge Challenger and Charger both have Hellcat engine options, bringing 707 horsepower to the cars. The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has long been rumored, and sources say it will indeed have the same engine, but without the same tuning.

There could be several reasons why it would be detuned somewhat:

Cooling is a major issue with this amount of power, and the Hellcats have goals of high consistency at full power. Competing cars from Chevrolet and Shelby have been slammed for throttling back on the power as they quickly heat up at the track.

The Jeep, unlike the others, is rumored to be all wheel drive, which could allow quicker launches — but would put more stress on the entire system. The engine may have to be tuned to put out the power that can reasonably and economically be handled by the drivetrain and suspension.The Grand Cherokee has a higher center of gravity and too much power could be dangerous.

Regardless, a Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk packing even 580 horsepower would be a major boost over the current 485 horsepower SRT model, and would likely attract even more attention from those who would normally go for a German crossover.

FCA US has already applied for a trademark on the Trackhawk name. The application has passed all the legal hurdles and USPTO approval of registration is now waiting for the company to file a Statement Of Use (SOU) in commerce.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2015/10/jeep-trackhawk-600-hp-30326

Wrangler looks to aluminum suspension, not body

The Jeep Grand Cherokee may have shown the future direction of the Jeep Wrangler: using aluminum and other lightweight materials for the suspension and peripherals, but not for the frame or key body parts.

Cheap body repairs are important for Wrangler, because it’s intended to be taken off-road. However, if the company can use relatively light, “high-strength” steel alloy for skid plates and more aluminum in the suspension and other major components, it could still cut weight, or at least maintain weight in the face of higher safety standards (both Federal and insurance-industry).

Key design changes, including using permanent A-pillars and having the windshield itself slide down over the hood rather than folding down both the windshield and pillars at once, could help the Wrangler to have greater “natural” torsional stiffness, so that chassis reinforcement would not be needed, also cutting weight while letting the Wrangler meet normal rollover standards.

The 2018 Jeep Wrangler is also likely to have a hydroformed frame, as Ram trucks do, increasing stiffness without weight gains. Some reports claim the windshield and grille will only be a little more slanted than the current Wrangler.

This gives the company more time to develop aluminum-bodied cars. Scuttlebutt now has the Grand Cherokee as the first to go with the expensive but lightweight metal.

Read more at: http://news.allpar.com/index.php/2015/09/wrangler-looks-to-aluminum-suspension-not-body-29910

2018 Wrangler Spied! Hints at Upcoming Jeep Pickup

Outwardly, there’s not a lot to give away that this is the highly anticipated next-generation Jeep Wrangler. For all intents and purposes, it looks like a present-generation JK Rubicon two-door with a mesh mask over its grille and a flat-gray paintjob. However, a closer inspection reveals that this is not exactly your run-of-the-mill JK. Among several giveaways is a suspiciously low-hanging rear fuel tank. At first we thought it could be a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tank for the nearly certain diesel option, but we believe it’s just laying low because of the kludged body attached to the new chassis.

On the right side there’s what appears to be an electrical sensor wire running from underneath the hood and into the cab, indicating powertrain development testing. So what do we know for sure about the new JL Wrangler? We’re confident it will still have solid axles front and rear, a conventional two-speed transfer case, and a body-on-frame construction. There might be some aluminum on it, but we’ve been assured it will remain predominantly steel. Most models will get an eight-speed automatic, although we expect the six-speed manual to continue to be available. It will most likely get the next-generation Pentastar just announced for the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee as standard. The diesel option could either be the 3.0L VM Motori EcoDiesel used in the Ram 1500 and Grand Cherokee or a 2.8L or 2.2L I-4. Regardless, expect at least 300 lb-ft of torque and well more than 400 if it’s the V-6.

The solid front and rear axles on this mule look to be significantly beefier than they are on the current Wrangler JK. Not only will these tougher axles provide better off-road performance and durability, they’ll also allow for other body configurations to enter the mix. As before, the Wrangler will come in short- and long-wheelbase styles, but, like we reported earlier this week, Jeep’s iconic off-roader will once again be available as a compact pickup (unseen in the Wrangler/CJ lineup since the dearly missed CJ-8). Those heavy-duty axles should safely enable a payload of at least 1,000 pounds in the Jeep pickup’s bed, to say nothing of the added weight of the longer frame and body. It’s yet to be ascertained whether the Wrangler truck will be a single-cab shortbed based on the Wrangler Unlimited’s wheelbase or if it will come with its own longer wheelbase.

UPDATE: Sources can confirm that the Wrangler will be available with the 3.0L EcoDiesel V-6 and eight-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission. There’s no word on whether a manual transmission will be available with the EcoDiesel.

Read more at: http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research/2018-wrangler-spied-hints-at-upcoming-jeep-pickup/ar-AAdX3H7?ocid=fbmsnautos

948TE Automatic for Minivans

Chrysler has been building the 948TE automatic for the Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 for some time, regardless of whether they use four or six cylinder engines. The 948TE will also be used for minivans, Allpar has been told.

The 948TE is a heavier duty of the current nine-speed automatic, mainly engineered and designed by ZF, but altered and built by Chrysler. Mircea Gradu, Vice President of Powertrain, Transmission, and Driveline Engineering, said Chrysler “had a tremendous contribution … to the base development of the 9-speed.”

The first digit (9) is the number of gears, and the others (28 or 48) are the torque capacity in Nm/10. Thus, the 948TE should have 480 Nm of torque capacity, or around 354 lb-ft. This is far more than the Pentastar V6 produces.

A 928TE was also originally announced by the company but has not been used in the American Cherokee or 200.

There are reportedly changes to make the transmission fit into the minivans, which are to get both hybrid and all wheel drive versions, according to CEO Sergio Marchionne. Gear ratios range from 4.71 in first to 0.48 in ninth, an admirable spread.

Read more at: http://allparnews.com/index.php/2015/06/coming-soon-948te-automatic-for-minivans-29003

2015 Jeep Renegade First Drive & Review

Jeep had paraded the ’15 Renegade and Renegade Trailhawk in front of journalists and the general public for over a year. We snickered at it, leered at it, touched it, and even sat in it during that time. The new Jeep really began to pique our interest, though. Was it a real Jeep, or was it simply a rebodied all-wheel-drive Fiat 500L? To find out, we jumped at the chance to get behind the wheel and test drive the Jeep Renegade Latitude 4×4, Limited 4×4, and the top-tier Trailhawk 4×4. Sport and 4×2 models are also available. Our review took us over the streets and freeways, as well as in the hills and mountains, near San Jose, California. First and foremost, if you’re a Jeep enthusiast who’s into lift kits, oversized tires, and boulders larger than bowling balls, stop reading. Traditional off-road Jeep fanboys and fangirls scoff at any 4×4 that doesn’t have a ladder frame or at least solid axles front and rear and for good reason. These heavy-duty components are some of the last bits leftover from when the first Jeep rolled off of the assembly line over 70 years ago. But, a company like Jeep can’t survive in today’s competitive automotive marketplace by building only Wranglers. New segments are needed to broaden the brand’s appeal and bring in new customers looking for on- and off-road capability and efficiency to the tune of more than 30 mpg. And that is exactly what the ’15 Jeep Renegade is designed to deliver.

With an open mind, it’s hard to not like the sporty and fun-looking Renegade when inspecting the exterior. The round headlights, seven-slot grill, trapezoidal wheel openings, and overall utilitarian feel of the Renegade set it apart from the other seemingly more sophisticated, and frankly boring, vehicle lineup in the compact-SUV segment. By comparison, the Jeep Renegade is that unconventionally amusing uncle, the one that let you light fireworks in the house and shoot beer bottles in the backyard. We appreciate that the Renegade puts a smile on our face, even when it’s simply parked.

The interior of the Limited and Trailhawk models we drove were quite plush and felt similar to what you would see in a top-tier Cherokee or Grand Cherokee. We appreciated the use of soft-touch materials in places where other manufacturers might use less-impressive hard plastic. The Renegade is available absolutely stuffed with technology. Some of our favorite features include the built-in on-demand Wi-Fi hotspot capability and an available mobile phone app, which enables owners to start their Jeep and lock or unlock doors from their cell phones. The instrumentation is easy to read and most controls are intuitive in their operation. We absolutely love the split HVAC system and the real numbers on the adjustment knob, instead of an ambiguous blue and red line designed specifically to mock us while we incessantly fumble for a comfortable temperature.

We tested both the 1.4L MultiAir Turbo and the 2.4L Tigershark MultiAir2 engines on-road. The six-speed manual used behind the 1.4L is a sporty, quick-shifting transmission. It takes no time at all to learn where the forward gears are and manipulate the clutch effectively. Shifting into Reverse requires that you lift up on the shift ring, similar to the shifter you might find in a sandrail or VW Baja Bug but much easier to engage. The 160hp 1.4L punches out 184 lb-ft of torque. You can keep busy shifting in the mountain twists or you can simply rev the engine to the moon by selecting the proper gear. Both options are fun. The naturally aspirated 2.4L produces 180hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. This engine is coupled to the nine-speed automatic, which can be just as fun to drive as the six-speed when toggled through the gears manually. Overall, the Jeep Renegade handles crisply and is extremely confidence-inspiring on-road.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Jeep if it didn’t go off-road. Nothing else currently in the vehicle segment even compares to the off-road capability of the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk. It has some off-road features, such as the large accessible bright red tow hooks, 20:1 crawl ratio, and Selec-Terrain traction system that we wish were on other vehicles considered to be more trail worthy by many 4×4 enthusiasts. Interestingly enough, the Renegade Trailhawk even has better approach, departure, and breakover angles than a Cherokee Trailhawk. An extracurricular off-road adventure took us to the sand dunes and rocky mountain trails in southern California. We were pleasantly surprised at how far up the trail we could take the Renegade Trailhawk, almost to the point of feeling guilty, while wondering “Should we be here in this?” It drives like a maneuverable side-by-side UTV. Rather than being forced to climb over rocks, ledges, and other trail obstacles, you can simply steer around them with ease if you choose.

The ’15 Jeep Renegade is not a Wrangler, and it shouldn’t be. Most new Jeeps never even go off-road. Think of it like this: without the success of the Renegade, the current Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee, the Wrangler would not exist, and neither would the Jeep brand. As a Jeep enthusiast you don’t have to buy these new Jeeps or even like them, but you should thank someone that does. Ultimately, all Jeeps, including the ’15 Renegade, are offered in a model that is still best in class for off-road capability, and that’s really what the Jeep brand is all about, right?

Read more at: http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research/2015-jeep-renegade-first-drive-and-review/ar-AAaXXEg