Jeep Wrangler 2014 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).

The CIA was investigating ways to take over your car's on-board computer

New Blackhawk range adds street cred to Jeep SUV lineup.Jeep has announced new Blackhawk special editions of all existing models aside from the new Cherokee mid-size SUV.Following Jeep's recent local success - ranking among the top ten brands for the first time in September - plus a 40.5 per cent volume gain year-to-date, the new Patriot, Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawk models add variety to the SUV brand's lineup with a distinctly sinister attitude.In a clear nod to the current aftermarket trend of 'murdered out' black SUVs, Blackhawk models feature black detailing inside and out to replace most chromework, plus black wheels and Wrangler and Grand Cherokee Blackhawks feature bespoke seat trim.Jeep Patriot BlackhawkThe 2.0-litre petrol engined Patriot Blackhawk is based on the entry-spec Patriot Sport model with CVT auto.Jeep is offering the Patriot Blackhawk for $27,500 drive-away, which is actually $200 cheaper than the Patriot Sport’s $27,700 list price before on-road costs.In the Blackhawk, the Jeep signature seven-slot grille, roof rails, 17 inch alloys and badging have a gloss black finish. The rear bumper with step pad share the same body colour as the rest of the vehicle.Inside are heated seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, voice-controlled audio system with Bluetooth connectivity and a leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel.Jeep Compass BlackhawkThe Compass Blackhawk is also based from the entry Sport variant with CVT auto and is being offered at $29,000 drive-away, which is equals the price of the regular Sport CVT without on-road costs.It has the same 2.0-litre petrol engine and CVT automatic transmission as its Sport sibling.The same gloss black external and internal trim changes from the Patriot are also applied to the Compass Blackhawk.Jeep Wrangler BlackhawkThe Wrangler Blackhawk - based on the mid-spec Wrangler Overland - is available in either two or four-door bodystyles at a $2000 premium over their respective 'plain' variants.In the engine bay is the 3.6-litre Pentaster V6 petrol engine and five-speed automatic transmission of the Overland with the same Trail Rated dual-range four-wheel drive system.As with the Compass and Patriot, the Wranger gets a gloss black grille and badging. The Blackhawk hood decals are matte black, just to change it up.In addition, it also sports 18-inch black alloy wheels, tinted windows, three-piece hard top roof, rear window wiper and defroster, as well as a fuel filler cap with black/chrome screws and black gloss hard spare tyre cover. The seats are black leather with accent stitching.In the cabin are heated seats, floor and cargo mats and piano black interior accents on the door handles, dash grab-handles and vent surrounds. The Wrangler's audio system comes with voice control and remote USB port.Jeep Grand Cherokee BlackhawkThe Blackhawk edition of the popular Grand Cherokee is based on the entry Laredo trim level with four-wheel drive. It comes with the same engine choices of 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol or 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, with both coupled to the eight-speed automatic transmission.Like the Wrangler, the Blackhawk Grand Cherokees will cost you $2000 more than the regular models. In keeping with the other Blackhawks, the Grand Cherokee Blackhawk has gloss black 20 inch alloys, badges, grille accents, roof moldings, tinted windows, dual chrome exhaust tips, gunmetal headlight bezels and grey satin tail-light details.The front seats are heated and there is an 8.1-inch touchscreen interface coupled to the Uconnect entertainment system.Jeep Blackhawk Edition pricingPatriot Blackhawk - $27,500 (drive-away)Compass Blackhawk - $29,000 (drive-away)Wrangler Blackhawk - 2-door - $45,000 (list)Wrangler Blackhawk - 4-door - $49,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.6-litre petrol - $50,000 (list)Grand Cherokee Blackhawk - 3.0-litre diesel - $55,000 (list)

New special edition Jeep Wrangler has been released to coincide with the winter.

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    

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.  

General Dwight D. Eisenhower declared World War II could not have been won without the Jeep. Now the Jeep is re-enlisting. Chrysler has unveiled the Jeep J8 multipurpose vehicle at the 2007 Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) military trade show in London. The new Jeep J8 marks the brand's return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use. Based on the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the marque's engineers increased its capability and versatility. The original vehicles made their military debut in 1941 with the Willys MA, which was eventually dubbed the Jeep. The frame of the new Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for payloads up to 1339kg. Axles, brakes and suspension components are engineered specifically for more demanding military and civilian government use, including using a leaf-spring suspension system in the rear. The J8s Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in both on- and off-road conditions. The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces 118kW and 400Nm of torque, providing towing capability of up to 3500kg. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel that enables the J8 to wade in water up to 762mm deep and tackle sandstorm conditions for up to five hours. Available as a two-door with an extended pick-up bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle, it can be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand or left-hand-drive. While not designed for combat, the Jeep J8 is fully armour capable and available for duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier or ambulance. Heavy-duty bumpers with tow eyes allow the J8 to be transported by air. The Jeep J8 will be produced in a Chrysler joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available mid-2008.  

But if you have plans to pack up the family and conquer new heights, there's good news: the Wrangler Unlimited can reach the top. Two Wrangler Unlimiteds have made the Guinness World Records, reaching the highest altitude ever climbed by a four-wheeled vehicle. The two Jeeps climbed 6646m above sea level to the top of the world's highest volcano, the Ojos del Salado in Chile. The team from German company Extrem Events, took five days to reach their goal, enduring hurricane-strength winds, -30C temperatures, not to mention glaciers, volcanic sand and rock cliffs. The two Wrangler Unlimiteds that completed this challenge were standard Rubicon models, with 3.8-litre, V6 engines. They were also fitted with electronic altitude measuring technology and winches, as well as Goodyear MT/R tyres. The team leader, Mattias Jeschke described the accomplishment as “unbelievable, tremendous, phenomenal”. The four-wheeled achievement comes 70 years after the first man climbed Ojos del Salado. It's the second highest mountain in the western hemisphere.