Jeep Wrangler 2016 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).

Jeep international product planner Adrian van Campenhout says a strong reception for the small Renegade crossover and a volume-boosting "Com-patriot" replacement will be needed if the company is to comply with global boss Sergio Marchionne's demand to lift sales from 1 million last year to 1.9 million by 2018.We need to extend the line-up with new models, add variants to existing models and continue to lead our segments"Obviously he (Marchionne) has a vision for where the brand needs to go. And that's where we're going," van Campenhout says."To do that we need to extend the line-up with new models, add variants to existing models and continue to lead our segments."The Renegade is in play in the fastest-growing global segment. We have a new (compact) SUV in the pipeline and our new seven-seater (Grand Wagoneer)."We've got an all-new Grand Cherokee and Wrangler in 2017...with the vehicles we have now and the models we'll have soon...if you look at our growth over the last few years, we can meet the number."A Trail-Rated vehicle will always be the most capable off-roader in its segment with genuine four-by-four abilityVan Campenhout cites the Renegade as an example of how Jeep can adjust its "Trail-Rated" badging depending on the segment is selling in."Will the Renegade Trailhawk do the Rubicon Trail? No, it won't," he says, "That's what the Wrangler is for.""Will it go places most owners won't ever consider taking it? Yes it will. A Trail-Rated vehicle will always be the most capable off-roader in its segment with genuine four-by-four ability."Jeep is considering a vehicle smaller than the Renegade to cater to emerging marketsHe also says Jeep is considering a vehicle smaller than the Renegade to cater to emerging markets in Latin America and the Asia Pacific.He won't be drawn on whether that vehicle will be a rumoured three-door Renegade or a completely new model."The emerging economies represent a big part of our future growth and there's an argument the Renegade is too expensive for those markets," he says."We'll need a vehicle to (sell there). The brand is capturing a lot of market share everywhere around the world. We sell in 100-plus countries (so it could work).India would be an ideal market for developing a small vehicle with the usual Jeep attributes. "It would work in your neck of the woods (Australia), too, I would imagine."

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.