Bargain Gas for Some New Jeep SUV Owners

Chrysler is refueling American with a promotion for gas discount. Buyers of certain models get card that allow them to buy gas for $2.99/gallon for three years. This now seems like a bargain. I recently drove by an arco station that i used to frequent in 1998-2000 and back then it was $.99/gallon. The other day it was $3.99.
The models included Dodge Caliber, Avenger, Charger, Chrysler Sebring, 300, Town and Country, Jeep Commander, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Compass. The Jeep Wrangler was not eligible for the promotion unfortunately.

Funny: 32 People can fit in a Jeep Wrangler!

At a car show in Poland a stunt by a local dealer set a record for the most people to fit in a Jeep Wrangler. They were able to cram 32 people inside the 2008 Wrangler Unlimited. The feat was recorded in the Poland version of the Guinness Book. I'm impressed and having a good laugh.
photo here

Jeep and Hummer Heaven

great read on the motor trend blog here about how Jeep and Hummer are getting their cars in the right setting for testing and showing.
They have set up camp out in beautiful Moab Utah for enthusiasts to experience the latest models in the right environment.

Hard times in the Auto Biz Affecting Jeep

The subprime melt-down and high oil prices are apparently affecting the auto industry. Recent news looks like Jeep is no exception. All models have slowed down and the company is struggling to predict going forward givin the tough conditions.

Sales of the Toledo-made Jeep Liberty dropped 24 percent compared to March, 2007, to 7,366 units, according to figures released yesterday by Chrysler. Liberty's precipitous decline was a relative bright spot among Toledo-made vehicles.

This ties with recent push by Jeep and others to design more fuel efficient models. Including effort such as Jeep's electric concept we saw early this year.

New Mopar Parts for the Wrangler JK

Just reading about some of the cool new parts available for the JK here
Mopar is bring some added looks and functionality with some interior features, a new winch bumper, and a slightly modified front end look.
More features coming soon including the rear and front half door kits!

Accessing the Internet from the comfort of your Jeep Wrangler

Chrysler is planning to roll out in-car wireless internet access this year! Dealers will be installing the technology on vehicles this year and then later it will be implemented from the assembly line. The technology works by having your car's radio connect to cell towers - effectively converting your radio to a wireless hot spot. Therefore, you will need a data contract with a wireless carrier to get coverage. A few ideas for making the most out of your in-car wifi:

1. Save Money: $50/month for your data plan is nothing compared to rent. So ditch the house and live in your Jeep Wrangler full time. Now that it has wifi, it should be a fully functional home base
2. Multi task: Now you can really get the most out of your commute. Surf the net, check email, eat breakfast, and shave all on the way to the office
3. Make Money: Try parking outside your neighborhood starbucks and self wifi access via your Wrangler at a discount to Starbucks.
4. Optimize off-roading: Easy access to trail info, maps, weather, etc and no need to plan ahead
5. Finally an excuse to get a chauffeur: Now if you can get somebody to drive you around, you are really in good shape. Basically create a mobile office.
6. Don't miss your favorite TV shows: you need a slingbox too. But now you can hook in to your slingbox from the comfort of your car.
   

Off-roading photos elsewhere

I post a lot of cool off-roading photos here, but I just came across some cool ones on another blog here
These guys are out testing some of the newer wranglers in Virginia. Looks like a good time.

Committing Crimes with Jeep Wranglers - Bad Idea

Just skimming random news and caught this article about a some bank robbers using a Jeep Wrangler. Perhaps a savvy choice in the event that a high-speed chase ensues and off-road driving is needed, but certainly doesn't make the jeep world look good. With all the great recreational opportunities available to Wrangler owners, is robbing banks really necessary?
Here is the story

The robber was last seen in a brown, newer-model Jeep Wrangler, which had a black top.
The release said the Jeep Wrangler was later found on a parking lot on the UTM campus. Police determined that the Jeep had been stolen from Benton County several days ago.

Consumer Reports Rips the Wrangler Unlimited

Consumer reports has rated the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as one of the 11 worst cars this year. The Unlimited scored 17 out of 100 on the consumer report scale - OUCH! They have listed the following "Lows" as the reason behind the poor review.

Ride, handling, braking, noise, fuel economy, fit and finish, visibility, frontseat comfort, access, reliability

You will notice it is a pretty comprehensive list of weakness. BUT, although consumer Reports performs off-road testing at its Connecticut proving grounds, the off-road ability doesn't factor into the final scores.
Despite the opinion of crack smoking Consumer Report authors, the Wrangler Unlimited continues to get a positive response from the marketplace for its ability to blend suburban assault vehicle with the rugged, off-road capabilities of the Wrangler DNA.
The Jeep Liberty also made the bottom 11 list with a score of 27 our of 100. Clearly something is amiss with the Consumer Reports rating system when it comes to the Jeep line of vehicles.

Check out this crazy review here.

More Fun Jeep Wrangler Off-Roading Photos

Picking through some more sweet off-roading photos. Enjoy!

Cruising an amazing log bridge:





Tight trail run in the blue jeep wrangler:

The Pink Jeep Tours

Just stumbled across this amazing idea for a tourist activity. It is called the Pink Jeep Tours. They take you off-road touring in pretty pink Jeep Wranglers. They have two outfits currently: one is Sedona and one in Las Vegas. They take you off the trail in style to explore ancient ruins, history of the area, history of native American culture, and some beautiful southwestern scenery. I got a good laugh out of the pink jeep wranglers, but it actually sounds like a pretty good concept.

Here is a video with more details and you can see the pink wranglers:

This looks pretty fun...

At the Chicago auto show you can get a free ride on jeep's in-door test course. This looks like a good time. Here's the photo

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Success

The Wall Street Journal had a good story yesterday about how the 4 door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has been outselling the traditional 2 door model "mainly on the strength of its marriage of off-road capability with greater practicality and comfort." The article compared the success of the Unlimited to the 1970's Jeep CJ-7. The CJ-7 had a longer wheelbase than the CJ-5 targeting greater comfort in addition to off-road capabilities. The CJ-7 went to market with much different messaging that Jeep had pushed with previous models. But Jeep has continued to build on the idea over the years moving beyond their stronghold off-road to appeal as a lifestyle vehicle as well.

Jeep at the Winter X games

If you've been watching the X games at all, you will notice that Jeep is a pretty prominent sponsor of the event. Jeep is pushing both the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and the Jeep Liberty
The games have been very exciting thus far and appears to be a good way for jeep to gain favor with the young, adventurous demographic.

The Compass and Patroit are getting new interiors

Autoblog is reporting that Jeep is rolling out new interiors for the Compass and the Patriot here.
The current interiors were definitely not well received and it looks like a step in the right direction on these models

Detroit Auto Show is On

The Detroit auto show is open to the public this weekend and Jeep is there with some pretty impressive displays including a rock-climbing wall and a waterfall. The electric renegade concept is on display along with the latest wrangler models. If you are heaed to the show and looking for the new jeep wrangler rubicon is can be easily spotted since it is suspended from the rock climbing well.
There are tons of great photos from the auto show here from the Detroit Free Press.

photos: more jeep wrangler off-roading favorites

making good use of the custom suspension...



The quest to find & climb the steepest hills...

Jeep Wrangler going electric?

Jeep released the electric powered Renegade concept at the Detroit auto show. This two-seater could be the look for the future for Jeep. It is basically a futurist dune buggy with some cool features. It maintains the feel of the Jeep Wrangler in the front grill styling, but otherwise has little similarity. It is a two seater and has a completely uncovered top. Here are a couple photos...






It is great to see Jeep coming out with an electric powered car, but don't expect this one to be in production any time soon.

Hummer challenges Jeep Wrangler directly - yeah right

Apparently Hummer is trying to moving in on Jeep Wrangler's territory with the release of its smaller, more off-road focused Hummer HX.
Here what autoweek says about the new Hummer HX:

General Motors will take the wraps off the Hummer HX concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Smaller than the H3, the two-door open-air HX is aimed squarely at the Jeep Wrangler.

The HX's 103-inch wheelbase puts it in between the Wrangler and the Wrangler Unlimited.

Hard to believe the HX has a fighting chance at displacing the Jeep Wrangler. While the Hummer is clearly a favorite urban assault vehicle it seems highly unlikely to match Jeep on the off-road capabilities. Also, based on the photos circulating the web, just on styling alone, the Hummer has a long way to come.

Today's off-roading photo

Going to be posting some of my favorite old off-roading and Jeep Wrangler photos periodically. Here is one of my favorites. Check it out...