Jeep Grand Wagoneer - 2013 Plans For 7 Seater ???

Allpar.com are reporting details of the new 2013 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 7 Seat. We all hope it looks better than this unattractive remake of the early 70's version.

Plans for a Jeep Wagoneer and a Maserati version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, both discussed publicly by Sergio Marchionne, are apparently speeding along at the frenzied pace Chrysler followers are starting to find “the new normal.” Model year 2013 should bring both versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which was ironically the result of joint engineering with Mercedes. Mercedes itself has already debuted its version, the new ML.

Tough Grand Cherokee From US Specialty Auto Builder XPLORE.

A Tough look For The WK Grand Cherokee.


US Based XPLORE have come up with a very tough looking Grand Cherokee. Details are a bit vague but we do know they have played with the suspension and changed the wheel and tyre package.

The XPLORE Adventure Series Grand Cherokee is finished in a signature special matte clear titanium grey paint with a charcoal leather interior by Katzkin. Underneath it features a modified suspension package and some very serious hardware from Mopar, BF Goodrich and Method Racing. Special color and trim details are featured and more accessories are available. 
check it out at http://www.xplorevehicles.com/

Wrangler JK Pick Up - Still A Possibility But.........

Here we go again on the JK Wrangler Pick Up Roller Coaster!

Mike Manly wants it but he is still to get the project past the "business case" stage. “The pickup continues to progress because of the interest in the vehicle,” said Jeep chief Mike Manley. “One of the things as a company that we’ve had to be very disciplined in is where we’re putting our resources. We’re still in recovery mode and have to be very careful with our investments. We have so much going on. Our resources are fully dedicated to small vehicles, new transmissions and working with Fiat. There are none left to work on the Jeep pickup at this time.”

The good news is that if they do go ahead with the project, it might head to overseas markets as well as the U.S..
“There’s clear interest in the U.S. for a pickup,” Manley said, “It could give us potential for some of our international markets even though the pickup market is slightly different outside of the U.S.”
“If you took a Wrangler-based pickup, it would almost still remain as a unique vehicle in international markets,” Manley said. “We could do a metric ton version of it. That’s the biggest market. But a lot of the market is commoditized. I wouldn’t want to do a commodity Jeep pickup.”
“There’s an opportunity but whether the business case makes sense or not is the issue,” Manley said. “Mainly because of manufacturing location and import/export duties around the world.”
In the meantime, while Chrysler tackles its urgent vehicle development efforts and develops a business case, Manley says the Jeep pickup remains a personal priority.
“It’s certainly something that’s of huge interest to me,” Manley said.
We will all have to wait and see but dont hold your breath too long!
You could always order the Mopar JK Independance Pick Up Kit and do it your self - word is its possibly being considered for import by Mopar Australia.  

Ten Years Since The Death Of A Legend - The XJ Cherokee

The anniversary passed this week with no fanfare and no commemoration, but as Jeep enthusiasts wait for their favorite brand to reveal the next Jeep Liberty (KK) and for Chrysler Group LLC to announce its plans for its Toledo Assembly complex, they can marvel at the continued popularity of a vehicle that last rolled off a Toledo assembly line 10 years ago.

On June 22, 2001, a shiny black four-door Jeep Cherokee — number 2,884,172 — exited the Toledo Jeep Parkway plant, ending a production run for one of the most popular SUVs ever that lasted three weeks short of 18 years, and outliving two corporate owners.
And 10 years later, the Jeep Cherokee, or “XJ” as it is also known, is still sought by off-road enthusiasts who fell in love with its light weight, ruggedness, dependable powertrain, and overall utility.

Born in late 1978, the XJ was the product of the former American Motors Corp., which was planning a compact SUV that was 21 inches shorter, six inches narrower, and 1,000 pounds lighter than its predecessor, the Grand Wagoneer, to compete with the Ford Bronco II and the Chevy S-10 Blazer, the only compact SUVs available at the time with four doors and two four-wheel-drive systems.
The Cherokee’s run ended in 2001 as it was replaced by the Jeep Liberty (KJ), being built at the newly constructed Jeep factory. Though there were many differences between the two vehicles, the KJ Liberty adopted the Cherokee name internationally.
Norm Layton, a Jeep enthusiast from Corona, Calif., and a former member of the brand’s Customer Advisory Board, said the XJ was an “emotional” vehicle among those who loved to go off-road, and those who found themselves attracted to its boxy design.
“They were customizable. It was a Jeeper’s Jeep,” Mr. Layton said. “It probably wasn’t ever intended to [be built for 18 years], but it was just one of those one-in-a-million home runs.”
The trusty XJ is strongly sought after in Australia as a serious 4WD build project as older examples become cheaper with age. They make a great platform to build up into a hard core off roader or tourer.
Introduced into Australia in 1994 they became one of the best sellers in the market at the time with ground breaking performance and value for money. One of the first in the Australian market with ABS and Air Bags and packaged to the trusty 4.0L six they took the market by storm selling over 10,000 vehicles in 1996 and are still seen in large numbers on Aussie roads now. 
source Jeep Australia & Toledo Blade

Toledo Jeep Plant Struggles To Match Wrangler Demand!

As Talking Jeep Oz has previously reported the Jeep Wrangler sales success is causing supply problems around the world. Jeep's Toledo Assembly Plant is struggling to keep up with worldwide demand for the iconic Jeep Wrangler

Michael Manley, president of the Jeep brand and the man responsible for introducing products to potential customers outside North America, said Thursday he's more than a little worried that global demand for the iconic Jeep Wrangler may soon overtake the capacity of Toledo workers to make them.
"Wrangler just continues to grow and grow and grow in international markets," said Mr. Manley
There's just one problem: Through the first five months of this year, Wrangler sales in the United States are up 13 percent to almost 42,000 vehicles, and production of the two and four-door SUVs is up 19 percent to nearly 71,000 vehicles. The factories at Toledo Assembly have an overall annual capacity of about 150,000 vehicles.
"I know that we could sell a lot more [Wranglers] than we sell today. We just finished working with Fiat to refranchise all of our European market, which is a huge market," Mr. Manley said. "As that process is now finished and they get back to gaining some momentum, clearly Wrangler demand is going to grow in Europe."
He said new emission regulations coming to Europe and the United States make "a stronger business case" for introducing diesel-powered Jeeps to the United States market. He predicted that consumers could see new diesel-powered offerings from the brand in the United States within "two to four years."
Jeep engineers continue to search for other ways to improve the vehicle, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
source Toledo Blade

Better News For Chrysler As Warranty Claims Drop

Chrysler LLC has seen a dramatic reduction in the number of warranty claims per vehicle.

"Chrysler Group LLC said the rate of customer warranty claims dropped 58 percent since 2007 as the company improved its “horrible” quality and customer perception.

Researcher J.D. Power & Associates has yet to release its annual initial-quality survey of new vehicles, but Wednesday Chrysler quality executive Doug Betts said he hadn’t seen Chrysler’s results but said its improved quality leaves the firm without worry of being “embarrassed.”

The Chrysler brand finished 23rd in the J.D. Power survey last year with 122 complaints per 100 vehicles, Jeep ranked 27th, and Dodge was 28th."

Source - Toledo Blade and News Services

Its Official! Turbo Diesel Grand Cherokee Arrives In Australia

Looks Like Our Sources Were Spot On!

 This is the Official Press release from Chrysler Australia

The multi-award winning 2011 Jeep_® Grand Cherokee is now available in Australia with a new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine. The new engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient and produces lower emissions than its predecessor, while being able to tow up to 3,500kg.

• New 3.0-litre turbo, direct-injection V6 diesel engine for the all-new Jeep_® Grand Cherokee
• Fitted with MultiJet II technology developed by Fiat Powertrain
• New engine delivers more power, torque and fuel efficiency with lower emissions
• 3,500kg tow capacity
• Now available in Australia from $50,000 (Laredo)

“The arrival of the new turbo diesel is icing on the cake of the all-new Grand Cherokee range” said Dean Bonthorne, Chrysler Australia’s Senior Manager, Marketing & Corporate Communications.

“It’s no secret that Australians love a torquey, fuel-efficient diesel in this category, and just like so many other aspects of the Grand Cherokee, this highly anticipated new powerplant has exceeded all expectations.”

Built by VM Motori and developed together with Fiat Powertrain, a company of Fiat S.p.a., the new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine produces 177 kW at 4,000 rpm with 550 Nm of torque at 1,800-2,800 rpm. This translates to 10 percent more power and eight percent more torque than the engine it replaces.

Even with its improved performance, fuel economy for the new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine is 8.3 L/100km on the combined cycle, an improvement of 19 percent over the prior diesel engine. CO₂ emissions (combined cycle) are also reduced by 20 percent, now at 218 g/km.

The V6 turbo diesel engine is fitted with new-generation, 1,800-bar injectors with new MultiJet II technology. This was developed and patented by Fiat Powertrain and which made its debut in 2009 on the 1.3-litre diesel engine equipped on the Punto Evo. Engine Block Structure The new 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine features a compressed graphite iron, 60-degree block with aluminium cylinder heads and a two-piece structural aluminium oil pan. Bore is 83 mm (3.27 in) and stroke is 92 mm (3.62 in) for a total displacement of 2987 cm³ (182 in³). Bore spacing is 96 mm (3.78 in).

The engine block features a crankcase architecture with stiffened construction, including a bedplate that provides a rigid and stiff carrier for the crankshaft. This in turn helps reduce overall noise from the lower reciprocating assembly and contributes to significant improvements in overall noise, vibration and harshness. Engine Performance Features The induction system includes swirl control to optimise combustion. Fitted between the intake system and the combustion chamber, the swirl control effectively provides an ideal air/fuel mixture at all levels of engine speed.

Precise fuel delivery is through a 1,800-bar common-rail fuel-injection system. Thanks to the new MultiJet II technology, which makes use of a special balanced solenoid valve, the new injector is capable of making up to eight injections per cycle with the possibility of managing the two main injections in a single modular profile (IRS – Injection Rate Shaping). This guarantees a reduction in consumption and polluting emissions of approximately two percent compared to a traditional injector and ensures a drastic reduction in noise levels. Fuel Economy and Emissions Fuel economy for the Jeep Grand Cherokee with the 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine is rated at 10.3 L/100 km on the urban cycle and 7.2 L/100 km on the extra-urban cycle. For the combined cycle, the fuel economy is rated at 8.3 L/100 km.

For this engine, cast-iron exhaust manifolds are utilised. Additional emissions controls include a close-coupled diesel oxidation catalyst and standard diesel particulate filter. Euro 5 emissions are met through an exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system that includes an EGR valve with DC motor and a high-performance EGR cooler with bypass valve.

CO₂ emissions are reduced to 270 g/km for the urban cycle and 188 g/km for the extra-urban cycle. Combined-cycle CO₂ emissions are now 218 g/km. Lineup Jeep Grand Cherokee is now offered in Australia in all trim lines, including Laredo, Limited and Overland. All models will offer this new 3.0-litre turbo diesel, while the Laredo and Limited come standard with the new 3.6-litre V6 Pentastar engine. The legendary 5.7-litre HEMI V8 is optional on Limited and standard on Overland.

The new diesel engine is now available in Jeep showrooms, joining two petrol engines to round out the powertrain lineup.

The all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee features the first application of the all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine. This V6 engine with variable valve timing (VVT) delivers 210 kW of power and 347 Nm of torque.

The Grand Cherokee is also available with the renowned 5.7-litre HEMI V8 petrol engine. Also with VVT, this inspiring engine delivers 259 kW of power and 520 Nm of torque. The engine’s Multi-Displacement System (MDS) helps manage fuel efficiency and can cut fuel delivery to four cylinders under certain driving conditions.

Specifications

3.0L DOHC 24-valve V6 Direct Injection Turbo Diesel      
— Power (kW @ rpm)          177 @ 4,000

      (MY10: 160@4,000)

— Torque (N.m @ rpm)         550 @ 1,800-2,800
  (MY10: 510@1,600-2,400)

— Capacity (cm³)                2,987 
     

— Automatic transmission  
5-speed (W5A580) with manual shift mode

Fuel consumption (L/100km)                      

— Urban cycle               10.3          (MY10: 13.1)

— Extra-urban cycle       7.2         (MY10: 8.6)

— Combined cycle         8.3         (MY10: 10.2)                

Pricing            (Base Vehicle Price excl government changes & dealer delivery)

                       

                         3.6L V6 Petrol     5.7L V8 Petrol   3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel

Laredo             $45,000             NA                          $50,000

Limited            $55,000             $60,000                 $60,000

Limited 70^th    $58,500             $63,500                  NA

Overland         NA                      $69,500                $69,500

We believe there a small number of CRD 70th Anniversary vehicles coming too!

Aussie Jeep 2012 Wrangler Specification Update

More details about the 2012 Wranglers for Australia are emerging and indicate that the Wrangler 4 Door Unlimited will be standard with the Hardtop Only Roof and the Soft Top will come in a Dual Top Pack (Soft Top and Hard Top) so if you want both roofs it will be an extra cost option. This is to try and keep the price lower due to the 3.6L Pentastar V6 costing more.

U-Connect Phone (Bluetooth) is being ordered on every vehicle and will be a chargable option?? Why not just include it in the price!!!??
Colours have also changed and Cosmos Blue, Mango Tango, Detonator Yellow and Dark Charcoal have all been deleted.
The 2012 colour palette will be Midnight Blue (New), Sahara Tan (New), Natural Green, Deep Cherry Red, Flame Red, Bright Silver, Bright White and Black.
It is not expected that the colour coded roof or flairs option will be available for Australia.

Price Rise Expected For 2012 Wrangler V6 Pentastar

Expect the Aussie Pentastar V6 Wranglers to be more expensive than the current 3.8L V6's. Word is that the 3.6L Pentastar is a more expensive engine and will be priced higher than the 2011 vehicles. Expect to see some further specification changes such as a Hardtop Only Roof option (without the soft top) to help reduce the price.

The new 2012 Wranglers go into production soon and should arrive in Australia around December. The Aussie specification vehicles will be packaged differently to the US versions so expect some surprises and deletions.
Talking Jeep OZ will keep you posted with more details of the Australian Specifications as they come to hand.

Chrysler To Recall Some 2011 Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge Vehicles

Chrysler Group LLC will conduct a voluntary safety recall to owners of the 2011 Chrysler 200 and Town & Country (Grand Voyager); Dodge Caliber, Journey, Grand Caravan, Avenger and Nitro; and Jeep® Wrangler, Liberty (Cherokee) and Compass models to inspect for rivet presence and alignment.

Some vehicles may have been built with missing or misaligned rivets that could compromise the steering column performance in the event of impact. This does not affect the steering of the vehicle under normal driving conditions.
The Company is not aware of any accidents, injuries or property damage related to this issue. Chrysler Group LLC will replace the components on all affected vehicles. This will be completed at no cost to the consumer.
Approximately 11,351 2011 vehicles built between April 15 and May 14, 2011, are affected.
It is yet to be determined if any vehicles exported to Australia are effected. Owners will be contacted by Chrysler Australia if local vehicles are involved.

70 Years of Jeep - WW2 Australian Jeeps In Action - New Guinea 1944

New Guinea. 11 January 1944. Jeep motor vehicles and equipment waiting for the bridge over the creek on Blucher Point to be finished with infantry marching past the vehicles to forward positions.

Another great photo from the Australian War Memorial Collection

Australia To Get Two Wheel Drive Patriot & Compass

The Jeep Compass is returning to OZ and is now on its way to Australia with its great new looks. Its like a clone of the hugely successfull Grand Cherokee from the front view.

The New Compass will come in both 2WD and AWD and the Patriot will also get a 2WD driveline. The 2WD versions are expected to be very price competitive with other popular 2WD Soft Roaders like the Dualis and Sportage.
The new models will be arriving in Australia shortly.

JK Wrangler Roof Panels By Thermocore - New Sponsor For Talking Jeep Oz

Thermocore Roof Panels is a new product designed to keep the cabin cooler in Summer and warmer in Winter 

When Thermocore chose a Jeep Wrangler JK Unlimited as its preferred company vehicle, we soon found a need for protection against the radiant heat generated by the detachable canopy.  Our design team got to work.  Their brief was to produce an attractive, lightweight panel with great insulative properties at an affordable price! 

Thermocore Roof Panels use scientifically proven thermal laminates to optimize protection against heat and cold.  Thermocore Roof Panels evolved after prototyping and testing various concepts, construction methods and utilising a number of technical materials. 

Reasons to choose Thermocore Roof Panels

Reduces radiated heat entering the cabin in Summer

Cabin retains its warmth in Winter due to the thermal properties of the roof panels, reducing heat loss

Reduces external noise entering the cabin

Improves the cabin acoustics (both audio system and conversation)

Lightweight and strong

Easily fitted and removed

The perfect JK accessory 

Adds more comfort and value to your already amazing vehicle!

The Talking Jeep Oz JK is now fitted with the Thermocore Roof Panels and we can confidently say that all the claimed benefits of the panels are justified, with a noticable reduction in generated heat through the roof and the car is considerably quieter on the road. The interior stays much more cosy in winter, especially out on those cold winter Jeep adventures. The fit and finish looks like it was done at the Jeep factory. 


Thermocore Roof Panels are a Melbourne based small business and the products were designed, tested and developed here in Australia to suit Australia's harsh climate.

Check out their website Thermocore Roof Panels

Jeep Wrangler Air Bags Under Investigation By NHTSA.

The Jeep Wrangler is under investigation by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to some instances of the front driver’s air bag failing to deploy because of a broken electrical circuit. The investigation covers about 222,000 vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The agency has received 29 complaints, but no injuries have been reported.

NHTSA said it contacted 14 of the 29 owners, and six of them had right-hand-drive models typically used by postal carriers. Chrysler also said it is working with NHTSA on the investigation.

Interesting that its predominantly right hand drive vehicles, there have been some incidents in Australia of the air bags not deploying on severe impact.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/

Buyer Found For Rubicon Express Business

Transamerican Auto Parts/4 Wheel Parts is proud to announce the acquisition of Rubicon Express.
Inspired by the famous Rubicon trails of Northern California, Rubicon Express has a long history of manufacturing hard-core performance suspension systems. Off-road enthusiasts the world over have come to trust Rubicon Express to be the ultimate suspension system for their Jeeps.
Customer feedback has been overwhelming, and we are committed to getting this fantastic brand back in the marketplace quickly. Furthermore, we pledge to use the same manufacturing process that Rubicon has had for years. All products will continue to be made in USA. We are working closely with many members of Rubicon’s team to ensure, long into the future, the same respected quality you've come to expect throughout the entire product line.
Today, our goal is to have product available for purchase by August 1, 2011. Our first priority, though, is to you, all the loyal Rubicon customers. Please be assured that we will gladly honor any and all warranty requests, and replacement parts will soon be available. We will continue to partner with Rubicon’s off-road jobbers and distributors.
Soon you will find high quality Rubicon Express in stock at your favorite dealer and out on the trails. We appreciate your interest in Rubicon Express and your understanding while we work to re-establish the one and only Rubicon Express.
Greg Adler
President & CEO
Transamerican Auto Parts/4 Wheel Parts
http://www.rubiconexpress.com/

Jeep Club Profile - Victorian Military Vehicle Corps - 50th Anniversary

April 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of the V.M.V.C. It was in January of 1961 that some Jeep owners placed advertisements in newspapers with the intention of forming a group interested in collecting ex-military vehicles. As a result, the Corps was formed in April of that year, on the 20TH anniversary of the siege of Tobruk and according to research; the Corps is the first such group of its kind formed in the world.

The club celebrated the year of the Jeep in 2010 and has a very impressive website that features many of the Jeeps and military vehicles in the club. http://www.vmvc.org.au/

70 Years of Jeep - WW2 Australian Jeeps In Action - Queensland

Another interesting photo of Jeeps in action with Australian forces. This time in Queensland's Trinity Beach during military exercises 

TRINITY BEACH, QLD. 1943-08-23. JEEP ASSISTED BY MANPOWER HAULS AN ANTI-TANK GUN ASHORE DURING THE 16TH AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE COMBINED INVASION EXERCISES.
photo courtesy Australian War Memorial Collection

2012 Jeep Jamboree Logo Released

The Sydney Jeep Club have released the Logo for the 2012 Jeep Jamboree to be held in September 2012 in NSW, Australia.

Check Out all the Jamboree Details at http://www.jeepjamboree2012.com.au/

Sales Boost For Chrysler In USA Causes Jeep Supply Issues For Australia

Chrysler in the USA has outsold Toyota, Honda and Nissan for the first time in many years coming in third behind General Motors and Ford to re-make the traditional "Big Three" in new car sales.
Jeep was a major player in this sales boost with Grand Cherokee up a massive 192% over May 2010 sales.

This gives us some insight into why Australian buyers are waiting so long for vehicles with production of WK stretched to the max. Sales in Australia are going gangbusters with Grand Cherokee sales up over 300% YTD (over 2010) in Australia.
Dealers are reporting that the first 2 shipments of Grand Cherokee diesels are already sold out and delivery times on most models are anything from 3 to 6 months depending on your choice of drive train and options.
Quadra-lift production should be back on line in October with 2012 export production start up and Laredo and Limited models will start to come through around Christmas time. Word is 2012 Grand Cherokee will get a 6 speed auto but wont get many other changes in specification.
Some petrol powered 70th Anniversary Editions are arriving at dealerships but the diesels are still a way off yet.
Diesels are expected to start arriving later in June.