Rides : 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee caught with new headlights and grille

A few updates are in store for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and while we've told you about them before, we're now getting our first glimpse at the refreshed SUV without all the heavy camouflage.

Up front, new headlights with LED running lamps flow into a new front fascia design with a smaller seven-slat grille and some curvy bodywork that flows up underneath the headlamp clusters. (With the black tape still covering part of the fascia, can anyone else see a bit of Chrysler 300 in those headlights?) Revisions have been made to the Jeep's lower front end, as well; and all in, it's not as aggressive (or handsome) as the current model. Also, we're not sure how we feel about the flat gray panel that surrounds the grille on the Laredo model, though it's unclear whether that's actually a production piece. We'll hold off making up our minds about the new styling, for certain, until we see the fully baked SUV.

At the back, subtle tweaks have been made to the taillamps (LEDs have been added – surprise, surprise), and the tailgate has been ever-so-slightly redesigned.

The big changes for 2014 lie under the Grand Cherokee's hood – most notably, the addition of a 3.0-liter diesel V6 for the US market. As we reported earlier, this will be a massaged version of the oil-burning six sold in Europe, and should be good for about 237 horsepower and 407 pound-feet of torque. The Grand Cherokee will also get a new ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission.

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Chrysler recalling 919,545 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs over airbag issue

 

Chrysler Group announced the recall of 919,545 Jeep SUVs from the 2002 to 2004 model years because the airbags could deploy inadvertently.

On the recalled cars, which are Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs, a part in airbag control modules may fail, causing the airbags to deploy, according to documents filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Chrysler.
The NHTSA said a failure of that module could cause the front airbags or side curtain airbags to deploy inadvertently while the SUVs are being operated, increasing the risk of injury or accident.
Chrysler said that of the vehicles recalled, 744,822 were in the United States, 49,430 in Canada, 21,828 in Mexico and 103,465 outside North America. About half of the recalled SUVs are Grand Cherokee and the other half Liberty.
Chrysler’s dealers will install a supplemental jumper harness to the airbag control module at no cost to owners, with the recall expected to begin in January.
In October 2011, NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation following complaints of inadvertent airbag deployments in Liberty SUVs. In January 2012, the probe was upgraded to an engineering analysis to include the Grand Cherokee SUVs.
The investigation found 215 cases of inadvertent airbag deployments which caused 81 minor injuries involving both SUVs in the U.S. No crashes were found to have been caused by the issue.

Rides : Jeep Liberty has date with oblivion next Thursday

Opinions on the Jeep Liberty replacement appear to be just as divided as those on the current Liberty. The mid-range SUV we have now hasn't done whopping sales numbers for a while, and gets dinged for its engine, transmission, gas mileage and reliability, but in its penultimate year of existence, Jeep moved almost 40 percent more of them than the year before. The Liberty replacement that is yet unnamed is expected to be built on a Dodge Dart platform and pack an available nine-speed transmission. Sadly, there's no word yet about a possible CRD model for North America.

The times, they are a' changin', and Automotive News reports that the final Liberty will say goodbye to the Toledo North Assembly Plant next Thursday, August 15. Bittersweet though it may be to some, and as as fearful as others might be of what's coming, if we look at what Jeep's done over the past couple of years, then we'll wish the current Liberty a happy retirement and look forward to what's coming. 

 

Credit : Autoblog

Rides : Jeep Wrangler Military Edition by Project Kahn

The British aftermarket specialists at Project Kahn have taken on the Jeep Wrangler, releasing an upgrade kit which has been named the Military Edition.

After the North American based automaker Jeep has released several special editions of the Wrangler, named the Sahara or Arctic, the aftermarket specialists at Project Kahn have decided to continue this pattern and so the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition was born. Project Kahn is mostly known for modifying SUVs and the work of the British tuners is mostly appreciated by wealthy people so their latest project, the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition will definitely be a success.
According to Project Kahn, the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition is painted in Military Gray Metallic paint and the vehicle has been fitted with a set of quad exhaust tips, giving it a sportier look. Tuning a vehicle these days doesn’t mean anything unless you are offering big rims and the British aftermarket specialists have fitted the Jeep Wrangler Military Edition with a fresh set of Kahn RS 20 inch wheels which can be painted in Silver Black. LED daytime running lights are also offered for the SUV and they have been fitted between the bumper and wheel arches.
Project Kahn is offering a touch of exclusivity to the interior too, where some red leather, aluminum pedals and a new speedometer have also been added. The Military Edition has been priced at 35.875 GBP.

Rides : Check Out The Jeep Wrangler Nautic Concepts

The North American based manufacturer Jeep has recently announced its plans to present two Wrangler Unlimited Nautic Concepts at the Paris Boat Show (Salon Nautique de Paris).

After presenting us with some special editions of the Wrangler earlier this year, like the Sahara or Arctic, Jeep is now planning to introduce a new one, in the shape of a “concept” for start, at the Salon Nautique de Paris or Paris Boat Show, which will be named the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Nautic Concept. Jeep says that its latest creation has been designed to capture the spirit of sailing and yachting, being made with the assistance of Style & Design.

“For this 51st edition of the Paris Boat Show, Style & Design and Jeep offers as part of their partnership an exclusive interpretation of the colors of the Wrangler unlimited NAUTIC. Two Universe - Two exceptional stylistic concepts. The Wrangler Unlimited is in the form of two scenarios that follow two distinct design palettes: White Jeep Wrangler Nautic by Style & Design: a first pattern, into the heart of the world of sailing is presented in the guise of a white vehicle with an elegant design, pure and light. The comfort of sailboats luxury here drawn, be appreciated by lovers of yachts, as the manufacturer says in its official press release.

The two “concepts” Jeep Wrangler Nautic are coming with a chrome grille, navy wings sheathed in white leather, dress spare wheel chrome and white leather, trunk opening with finish deck, running boards deck finish, chrome door handles, chrome trunk hingies, personalized leather upholstery, deck floor mat finish, console dashboard finish dech, inserts door handles finish deck, gear lever gaiter and dessing of leather headband Navy White. Besides all of these, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Nautic Concepts are also coming with GPS navigations, a car-like trunk and nautical-inspired cargo tie-downs.

Rides : Gaming - Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Limited Edition launched

The North American based automotive giant Chrysler has recently launched a new limited edition of the Jeep Wrangler, named Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, in an estimated 10 million USD ad campaign for the model, being also the second consecutive year when Jeep has signed a partnership with Activision on product placement in a video game (Call of Duty, Black Ops).

“Well, a Jeep certainly isn’t an impulse purchase. But the extremely hardcore video gamers are a curious bunch. For me, personally, I wouldn’t want any video game stuff on my car. But some retailers just mistakenly released (Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3) by accident and some people were able to buy it early, and those discs are being resold on Ebay for $1.700. That’s $1.700 just to play it a few days earlier than anybody else. So, yeah, I could see some of the video game fans buying one of these new Jeeps just for the marking”, said the editor-in-chief of San Francisco-based Game Developer magazine, Brandon Sheffield.

According to the car manufacturer, the two-door Call of Duty special edition Wrangler has a suggested retail price of $36.495 but Jeep or Chrysler didn’t officially announce any details on the engine range, performance or “goodies” found on the new model.

Rides : Jeep Wrangler power folding top kit debuts at SEMA

Considering how long the Jeep Wrangler has been in production, we're surprised that nobody thought of this sooner. The Jeep enthusiasts at Omix-Ada Inc. have designed what they're calling the world's first power folding soft top kit for the beloved Wrangler, which can be fitted to any 2007-2012 model year four-door model. (The company says a kit for the two-door Wrangler is expected to arrive later in 2012.)

The Rugged Ridge package comes complete with a vinyl top, power top frame, hydraulics, wiring harness and installation pack, and the top itself includes a zip-out, removable, tinted rear window. Omix-Ada says the whole kit comes ready to install with "no fuss or mess."

We can't help but notice that the top looks sort of flimsy during operation, but nevertheless, it's a neat aftermarket tweak to one of the most iconic off-roaders ever to grace our roads (and trails). We're not sure how well the hardcore purists will receive something like this, but there are plenty of people buying four-door Wranglers as lifestyle vehicles, too. Check out a pair of videos after the jump showing the power folding top in action, along with Omix-Ada's press release.

Press Release

First Power Top For Jeep Wrangler Debuts at SEMA

No more struggling to get your soft top up when the occasional thunderstorm catches you off guard. Our patent pending design allows the top to be lowered or raised in just seconds with the simple push of a button. The Power Top Kit fits all 2007-2012 4-Door Wranglers and comes complete with sailcloth vinyl top, power top frame, hydraulics, wiring harness and installation packet.

The top is crafted from premium Sailcloth vinyl and includes a removable zip-out, DOT approved, tinted rear window. The motor and hydraulic cylinders come preassembled and prebled, so they are ready to install with no fuss or mess! The Power Top folds nicely and still allows for full use and access of the cargo area.

The Rugged Ridge Power Top designed by Jeep enthusiasts at Omix-Ada Inc. and previewed earlier this year to rave reviews at the "Jeep Beach" event in Florida. The Power Top for 4-Door Wrangler models is available now for orders, and the 2-Door Wrangler model is planned for later in 2012.

Rides : Gaming - Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Jeep Wrangler spotted at Woodward

It looks like Jeep and Activision Publishing are continuing their successful partnership, placing battlefield-ready Wranglers in the Call of Duty video game series and selling a real-life version to gamers who wish to shuttle themselves to and fro in rough-and-tumble off-road-ready opulence.

For those unaware, there's a new version of the video game series heading to store shelves in short order, and Jeep is wasting no time showing its own Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Wrangler to the public.

Interestingly, Jeep decided to bring out its COD 3 Wrangler for the first time at the 2011 Woodward Dream Cruise, sporting all manner of specific gaming paraphernalia; such as new front and rear bumpers (the rear one holds water), mesh reliefs in the hood, flat black wheels with large, blocky tires and large metal emblems.

Expect this latest COD-infused Wrangler to hit the market in the fall, timed to coincide with the release of the affiliated video game. In the meantime, check out some live shots in our image gallery, courtesy of Sidequesting.com.