Autoblog

Jeep shows off Moab Easter Safari concepts crawling the red rocks

Zach Bowman — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Videos, Jeep, Off-Road

While most brands are busy showing off in New York, Jeep headed out to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari with the company's fleet of 2013 concepts. This year saw the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk II, Wrangler Mopar Recon, Wrangler Stitch, Wrangler Sand Trooper II, Wrangler Flattop and Wrangler Slim Concepts tackle the rocks and sand, and Jeep was kind enough to bring along a camera crew to film the machines rolling over a few obstacles. The result is the video below, though don't expect to see too much hardcore off road action.

Instead, the quick clip features more than a few interviews with Jeep executives, including Jeep Head of Product Design Mark Allen, explaining what makes the Easter Jeep Safari so important. You can check out the quick clip below for yourself, and be sure to thumb through our galleries of the concepts as well.

Continue reading Jeep shows off Moab Easter Safari concepts crawling the red rocks

Jeep shows off Moab Easter Safari concepts crawling the red rocks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler adding 200 jobs at Ohio Jeep Wrangler plant

Chris Paukert — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Jeep

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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2013 AEV Brute Double Cab

Michael Harley — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Jeep, Off-Road, Quick Spins

These are the guys who bring an M777 howitzer to a knife fight. In terms of overall rugged utility, the all-new 2013 Brute Double Cab from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is about as overkill as they come, and we can't seem to get enough of the beasts that this company produces. Unlike most aftermarket firms, always striving to lower cost and increase volume (but at the expense of quality), Michigan-based AEV takes pride in its OEM-quality design, engineering, manufacturing and testing. Everything is as good, or better, than the stuff from the factory, and they have been doing it this way for more than 15 years.

Launched at the recent 2012 SEMA show was the 2013 AEV Brute Double Cab. Its debut marked the company's expansion to a four-door Brute on the newer JK platform (drawing inspiration from the Land Rover Defender 130). I recently spent a few hours with the new truck in sunny Southern California, though unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was limited to pavement-only driving impressions.

Driving Notes

The vehicles are assembled in a facility in Wixom, Michigan. To build the Brute Double Cab, AEV stretches the chassis of a four-door JK Wrangler by 23 inches and extends the rear frame to accommodate its custom composite honeycomb pickup bed. Overall vehicle length grows by 30 inches, to bring it to 216 inches overall.
Unlike AEV's first vehicles, designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts seeking something different, the Double Cab targets those seeking the same capability but with added interior room and more room for cargo, all with the improved capabilities of the JK platform. It is not meant to replace a traditional pickup, but rather serve the overland market with more utility than a Jeep.
My red test vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4x4 ($35,090) fitted with AEV's DC350 package - basically the same as the JK350 package, but on the Brute chassis ($39,999). In addition, it was equipped with a snorkel ($534), splash guards ($114), Warn winch ($250), 37-inch tire upgrade ($400), 4.5-inch suspension upgrade ($100), beadlock wheel upgrade ($850) and a rear slider ($311). Figure about $77,650 for its as-tested price.
Upon close scrutiny, it appeared that AEV's craftsmanship and materials were top-notch and the fit and finish of the company's assembly work was impeccable. Note the little details like the fresh water storage tank in the rear bumper and the beautifully integrated engine intake snorkel.
As expected from a vehicle raised considerably higher than stock, the step-in is a stretch and the driving position is commanding. Despite its high center of gravity, the Double Cab didn't feel tipsy or nervous during maneuvers. Handling is secure, but a wheelbase stretched to 139 inches all but destroys the stock Jeep's turning radius.
The 3.6-liter V6, making about 285 horsepower, was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The added weight from the conversion and oversized tires do slow acceleration. While still perfectly adequate for on-road performance, those wanting more power for deep sand, snow drifts or more challenging conditions should consider AEV's 6.4-liter Hemi conversion.
Our spectacular pictures don't do the Double Cab justice - it looks impressive brightly polished, but even better caked in mud. Next time.

2013 AEV Brute Double Cab originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

Difficult as it may be, the reality of the matter is that there are a lot of vehicles in the United States that can make it through the daunting stretch of dirt, rocks and elevation changes that is the Rubicon Trail. That said, there isn't a single production vehicle available today that can navigate the off-road playground with as much aplomb as the Jeep Wrangler.

And no Jeep Wrangler rolling off the factory production line has ever been as off-road-ready as the 2013 Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition.

What makes this rugged machine so capable? It all starts with the steel front bumper that is ready to accept a winch and features removable end caps that allow the massive BF Goodrich 265/70R17 tires unimpeded access to the ground below and in front. In other words, this Wrangler can climb like a mountain goat.

Also included is a half-inch ride-height increase for additional clearance, electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles with 4.10 ratios and locking differentials. Rounding out the package are a dual-intake Power Dome hood, red tow hooks, Mopar rock rails and the buyer's choice of Billet Silver, White or 10th Anniversary Edition-exclusive Anvil paint and red leather inside.

Check out our live images above, and feel free to peruse the press release below.

Continue reading 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a trail-eating off-road beast originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Nov 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mopar launches Jeep Performance Parts with Wrangler Sand Trooper

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, SUV, Chrysler, Jeep, Specialty, Off-Road

There's no doubt that the Jeep Wrangler is a shining beacon of aftermarket success here at the 2012 SEMA Show. If there's any one vehicle that can stake a claim to challenging the Scion FR-S and Ford Mustang in the sheer-number-of-vehicles contest, it's Jeep's iconic off-roader.

So it comes as little surprise that Mopar is interested in picking up a bit more of that market with its own factory-approved line of performance parts. In an effort to showcase what it offers in its catalog - "a portfolio of high-end, hard-core Jeep parts including axles, lift kits, bumpers, winches, skid plates and suspension components," says the company - Jeep has unveiled the Wrangler Sand Trooper that you see above.

Included in the upgrade list is a 5.7-liter Hemi engine conversion, portal axles, eight-lug beadlock wheels and a full underbody skidplate. Body bits consisting of half doors, a vented hood, flat fenders, a massive front bumper fitted with a Warn winch and a suite of LED lighting bits and a smattering of black trim round out the look.

See all these bits and pieces in our high-res gallery above and check out the official press release below.

Continue reading Mopar launches Jeep Performance Parts with Wrangler Sand Trooper

Mopar launches Jeep Performance Parts with Wrangler Sand Trooper originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Wrangler Moab Special Edition announced

Seyth Miersma — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Jeep, Off-Road

Jeep has lifted the lid on two new special editions for its lineup, both focused on energizing the brand's spiritual base of off-roading enthusiasts.

First up is a production version of the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk - an SUV first shown in concept form at Jeep's recent Easter Safari event in Moab, Utah. Available in both V6 and V8 powertrain configurations, the Trailhawk is easily recognizable as a rare bird via its signature appearance package. A black hood decal with red accent stripe dominates the front end, while 18-inch aluminum wheels, black headlamp buckets, gray grille surround, a rear light bar and signature badging complete the visual upgrades.

Of course, the Trailhawk is meant to be the functional front-runner for Grand Cherokee off-road prowess, too. The special edition GC comes standard with beefy, Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Silent Armor all-terrain tires for sturdy, puncture-free trail driving. The Trailhawk also benefits from steel rock rails to keep its body safe. And, as befits the Jeep legend, a Quadra-Lift air suspension is in evidence, along with the standard Selec-Terrain traction control system, a rear electronic limited-slip differential for V8 models, a two-speed transfer case and much more.

Not to be outdone by the Grand Cherokee, the Jeep Wrangler is also getting some special edition love. The Wrangler Moab Special Edition starts life as a top-of-the line Wrangler Sahara, in both two- and four-door form, before it is fitted with some extra off-roading kit.

Functional upgrades for the Moab include the same Kevlar tires as on the Trailhawk, along with a standard Trac-Lok rear differential (an electronic locking rear diff is available, too), winch-ready bumpers, rock rails and 17-inch Rubicon alloy wheels. The Wrangler Moab has also been treated to a unique hood, black accents on the fuel filler cap and taillamps, a premium soft top and, of course, edition-specific badging.

Look for both the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and the Jeep Wrangler Moab to arrive at dealers this October.

Continue reading 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Wrangler Moab Special Edition announced

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Wrangler Moab Special Edition announced originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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