Jeep Wrangler 2013 News

Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

When even the toughest standard Jeeps just aren't hardcore enough, there's only one thing to do. Get Starwood Motors on the blower from Dallas and have them build you something that can conquer not only the worst this planet can throw at you, but likely turn alien terrain into toast as well. Starwood is famed for building some of the most extreme Jeep Wranglers around, and this was our pick for toughest vehicle of 2013: the Full Metal Jacket JK Wrangler Unlimited. It's powered by Chrysler's Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine that pushes out 213kW of power and 259Nm of torque -- getting the Full Metal Jacket Jeep to 100km/h in an admirable 8.4 seconds. Watch the Full Metal Jacket Jeep video But that's the start of the heavily modded Wrangler, which also sports a special 4700PSI tensile strength kevlar coating -- letting it shrug off even the worst of dirt, sand, water or salt -- plus an uprated suspension system that Starwood says makes it ride like a luxury car. Also watch: Jeep Wrangler Call Of Duty Edition The parts lists includes special coil over shocks, axles, gears, fenders, bumpers and winch, plus removable roof and doors -- in case you want to go from full metal to full monty. Also watch: Jeep Cherokee torture test video But creature comforts haven't been forgotten. The interior gets Procar leather and alcantara seats, kevlar-lined floors, and a Kenwood touchscreen nav system and DVD player, iPod and USB integration and satellite radio for the outer limits of civilisation. This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

Jeep has released a new dragon-themed special edition of its Wrangler Unlimited Overland off-roader, wearing the apt label of Wrangler Dragon. Following on from the Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary limited edition from earlier this year, the Wrangler Dragon brings a raft of unique styling details inside and out that reflect the mythical reptile.  Finished exclusively in gloss black, the Wrangler Dragon’s most distinctive feature is a large dragon decal that runs from the bonnet and along the passenger side of the body, with colour-matched bronze detailing to the headlights and grille, badging, fuel filler door, 18 inch alloys, and a further dragon decal on the spare wheel cover on the rear. Like all Wrangler Overlands, the Dragon comes with body colour wheelarches and removable hard top, plus a sunrider soft-top, Bluetooth phone connectivity, satnav and a reversing camera.  The dragon theme continues on the inside, with flying reptiles embroidered and embossed on the Nappa leather seat facings in the front and the carpet boot mat in the rear, with the motif repeated on the instruments and front passenger grab handle. The interior also features bronze detailing to the steering wheel spokes, door grab handles, and trim stitching. The result is reminiscent of the black and gold Pontiac Trans Am made famous by the classic Smokey and the Bandit films, with hints of the gold badging fad of the 1990s. Or perhaps Jeep is hoping to cash in on the dragon hype surrounding the next instalment of The Hobbit film series - The Desolation of Smaug – which opens next week. Either way, the Wrangler Dragon is available exclusively with the regular Overland’s 209kW/347Nm 3.6L V6 petrol, five-speed automatic drivetrain, with solid axles front and rear and four-wheel drive low-range gearing for proper off-road work. The Wrangler Dragon sits atop the rest of the Wrangler lineup, with its  $51,000 price tag representing a $5000 premium over the regular Overland Unlimited model. This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn    

I borrowed a Jeep. Yes, a Jeep. And I'm about to learn how to drive it. Moreton Island's pristine white beach shimmers in the heat haze and sunlight bounces off the vehicles behind me. Every one of them is being driven by a woman. We are on a Dirty Girls 4x4 Weekend and there is not a husband or boyfriend in sight.Soon these trips will be run by female instructors but for now the trail masters are guys. One of them walks up to my window, eyeing off the track in front of us. It is steep and narrow and piled high with deep, soft sand. He recommends a longer run up. I reverse then grip the steering wheel with steely determination and something close to terror."Drive it like you stole it!" he says.Whoops fill the air as I floor the accelerator and hit the track at speed. Sand sprays high into the sky. I am slipping and sliding in all directions but there is nothing to be scared of. I am in control and it feels fantastic.The Dirty Girls 4x4 convoy is ready to roll. Picture: Ryan LennonI still find it hard to believe that I didn't get stuck on that track but even if I had it wouldn't have mattered. When you are on a 4WD group tour there is always someone to help you out.Organiser Bob Muller says the ladies-only Dirty Girls 4x4 Weekends came about when a group of women on a regular 4WD trip were enjoying each other's company so much they suggested a "girls only" getaway. Like most great ideas, you can't help but wonder why someone didn't think of it sooner.Some of my fellow Dirty Girls are here for a fun weekend with their friends. Others want to learn how to 4WD without a male back seat driver. For most of us it is a bit of both.I am a complete novice when it comes to driving a 4x4 so it is a relief when an instructor offers to jump in the passenger seat. The 30 minute trip from the car ferry to our Bulwer campsite gives me some much needed experience and is filled with useful hints and tips. We also stop to help the girls who get bogged. Getting stuck is treated as a learning opportunity and no one is made to feel embarrassed.It’s not called a dirty weekend for nothing. The Pink Wrangler enters the mud bath.Dirty Girls 4x4 Weekends are run by the Leo Muller Group but you don't need to be a customer to join the fun. Or the owner of a fancy 4WD. Along with Jeeps in every colour of the rainbow there are sturdy 4x4s which have seen better days and even a flat-bed ute on our trip.Age is no barrier either. Our group includes women of all ages, from a teen who is still on her Ps to a lively group of over sixties. They missed out on the last Dirty Girls trip because it booked out in two hours. This time they put their names down early.Our "glamping" accommodation is ideal for ladies after a relaxing overnight stay. Each tent sleeps from 2 to 4 people and has a toilet, shower, proper beds and an attractive wooden deck. We have time to settle in before enjoying a barbecue lunch. This is followed by a drive along the beach and a guided snorkel tour around the Tangalooma wrecks.All the crew on the Dirty Girls 4x4 Weekend at Moreton Island Lighthouse. Picture: Ryan LennonEverything from vehicle permits to champagne is included in the trip. We enjoy a glass of bubbly then pile into a 4WD bus and let someone else do the driving to North Point. The setting sun sparkles on the water and the drinks flow freely as we share tales of our adventures and wriggle our toes in the sand. An impressive selection of biscuits, gourmet cheeses and dips ensures no one goes hungry.After a raucous trip back to the campsite with the stereo cranked up loud we sit down to a three course dinner and live music from internationally acclaimed band Sons of Midnight. The next morning we hone our 4x4 driving skills in preparation for the speed run up the narrow track.Before the trip my biggest fear was getting bogged but it only happens once when we are parking on the beach near Honeymoon Bay. Once again the instructor has good advice. Should I start digging or go for a swim? He smiles and throws me a towel.Need to knowDirty Girls 4x4 Weekends start at $220 and include one night in a glamping tent, all meals plus sunset canapes and dinner with champagne, wine and soft drinks, a guided snorkelling tour of the Tangalooma wrecks, vehicle transfers and permits and a Survival Kit with a T-shirt, cap, lip balm and snacks. Boys Only and Family Friendly Jamborees are also available.The stunning scenery over Honeymoon Bay. Picture: Tiana TemplemanSee full story at Adelaide Now

This new variant offers increased levels of comfort and convenience, with standard features including Uconnect Media Centre and navigation, reversing camera, leather upholstery and automatic headlights. Outside, premium refinements such as new 18 inch polished sparkle silver alloys with Bridgestone Dueler tyres and body-coloured flares and hard top will appeal to the urban traveller and off-road adventurer alike. The Jeep Wrangler Overland will be equipped with the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine and five-speed automatic transmission. This package delivers 209kW at 6350 revs and 347Nm of torque at 4300 revs, with an impressive 90 per cent of maximum torque available between 1800 revs. Fuel consumption is rated at 11.7 litres/100km. Prices start at $42,500 for the two-door and $47,000 for the Unlimited Overland four-door model, both of which include an auto.