HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU ALL

Have A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - Please drive safely out there. pic.twitter.com/RPITAnwsCh

— Talking Jeep Oz (@talkingjeepoz) December 16, 2013

NEW CHEROKEE KL AUSTRALIAN RELEASE DELAYED

We have heard that the release of the all new 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been delayed for Australia. Now expected 2nd Quarter of 2014 after production delays in the USA caused the US release to be late. Vehicles have been rolling out to US dealers and the first month of sales has exceeded 10,000 in November. The new Jeep seems to have already been a hit with buyers. It does look better in the flesh than in photos and is expected to fill a big hole in the Jeep line up sitting between the small Compass and Patriot models and the much larger Grand Cherokee.

We should see a similar line up in Australia to that of the US market with Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trailhawk versions featuring 9 speed automatic transmissions and both petrol and turbo diesel variants.
You can get more details at www.jeep.com.au

JK DRAGON EDITION ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA

JK WRANGLER DRAGON EDITION HERE NOW
First shown at the Beijing Motor Show last year the new limited edition Wrangler is based on the premium Overland (Sahara in US) model and is loaded with unique styling features that will make it stand out in the crowd.

   
The new $51,000 (plus on-roads) Dragon Edition adds a haul of styling tweaks that include bronze highlights to the front-end garnishes, 18-inch wheels, badges and the Mopar fuel door bolts. Also sporting a large dragon graphic across the body and spare-wheel cover, the Dragon certainly looks unique and will be snapped by enthusiasts with an eye for style and class. Nappa leather with Dragon emblems and graphics complete the interior package.

Corowa Military Vehicle Rally 2014

Corowa has become the largest military vehicle rally under the Southern Cross and is attended by guests and participants alike from all over the world.

Our next show, in March 2014, is already in the planning stages and will be magnificent in every respect!

Every year sees a new theme, with next year's being the Year of World War 1 & Year of the Ford, in honour of our 35th consecutive event - Corowa has come a long way since the first ad-hoc swim-in of amphibious vehicles in 1980!

CHECK OUT ALL THE DETAILS HERE
http://www.corowaswim-in.org

Jeep Australia Release Grand Cherokee Summit

Jeep have released a new luxury model in Australia called the Summit.

It will fit above the Overland model and will be available as a limited edition. It will only be available with the Diesel Turbo engine and includes all the features of the current Overland plus chrome highlights to the grille, door sills and trapezoid exhaust tips, body-coloured wheel arch flares, 20-inch alloy wheels and Summit badging on the tailgate. On the interior it gets Harmon Kardon premium 19-speaker surround sound system and ‘NaturaPlus’ leather, which Jeep says is the highest grade leather found in any of its vehicles.

The Summit has been available in the USA for some years and will suit buyers looking at the high end of the market but still want a all terrain 4WD capable vehicle rather than the sportier SRT8 version. The Summit will also get the 3,500 KG Tow rating similar to the other diesel models.

It will be $75000 plus on road costs which is $4000 more than an Overland Diesel.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Wins Drive 4WD Of The Year For the 3rd Time In Succession

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has won the prestigious 4WD Of The Year award from Drive.com.au which is the Fairfax Media motoring website for The Age Melbourne and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers.

The Grand Cherokee has won this award in 2011, 2012 and now 2013 and fought off the Toyota Prado to win this year with the recently upgraded 2014 Model Year Laredo CRD Turbo Diesel version. The Jeep came out on top in most categories especially on performance of the new 8 speed auto matched with the 3.0L Diesel Turbo, on road handling, off road ability, value and quality of finish.
Check out the full report here http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/dcoty-2013-best-4wd-20131127-2y99w.html

Tyre Options for WK2 Grand Cherokee

Thinking of upgrading your tyres on your Jeep WK2 Grand Cherokee?
If you want to head into the great Australian bush in your Grand Cherokee the stock issue Highway Tyre (HT) is not going to  give you adequate traction, durability or the reliability you will need in the bush. Whether you are heading out into the outback, crossing a desert, heading into the high country or just the local fire trails you are going to need tyres that will get you there and back with no surprises.
Before you go and buy a set of tyres for your Jeep you need to decide where you are going to do most of your driving and how often you will drive in four wheel drive terrain.

So check out our new WK2 Tyre Information Page. This page is constantly being updated with the latest information on what is available in Australia for the 2011 onwards Grand Cherokee.

ARB BULL BAR RELEASED FOR WK2 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

ARB have finally released their Bull Bar for the best selling WK2 Grand Cherokee.

Suitable for 2011 to 2013 Model Years the new bar has been subject to the usual rigorous R & D that ARB are renown for. The bar includes winch mounts, high lift jacking points and recovery hooks in a well designed bar that will suit the style of the Jeep. Expected to sell for approximately $2000 in  Australia.
An updated bar to suit 2014 models will be released shortly. For detailed pricing, availability and further details, contact your local ARB store/stockist.

Talking Jeep Oz WK2 Page

Bushwacker Flairs Available for WK2 Grand Cherokee

Bushwacker have released a new flair kit for the popular WK2 Grand Cherokee. Giving a smart yet rugged look the Bushwacker wheel arch flairs will suit vehicles with wider tyres and add a more rugged look to the Grand Cherokee. The new Bushwacker flairs retail at $995 a set.

They are available from Murchison Products

Talking Jeep Oz Grand Cherokee WK2 Page

UNEEK 4X4 RELEASE WK2 BULL BAR

New Jeep Specialist Manufacturer UNEEK 4x4 have released two versions of there Bull Bar solution for the best selling WK2 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Check out their website for more information

Australian 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Priced From $45000 Drive Away

Jeep have announced that the new 2014 Grand Cherokee will be priced from $45000 Drive Away - but this is for the new 2x4 version of the 8 speed Laredo. It comes with a lower grade audio system with smaller 7" Screen instead of the smart 8.4" system in the 4x4 versions. This should still be a strong seller with lots of appeal to those buyers that don't need the 4x4 capability but love the style and features of the Jeep. All the other models have risen in price by $1000 over 2013 prices. Some dealers till have some 2013 models at bargain prices if you are quick.

2014 Grand Cherokee's Start Arriving At Australian Dealers - No GPS Option For Laredo

As the new 8 Speed 2014 Grand Cherokee models start to arrive in Australian dealers details are now emerging that dealers have been told that there will not be an option to upgrade the Laredo 8.4" Screen to GPS Navigation. Unlike US models that can be upgraded with a GPS software re-program this feature will not be available for Australian buyers. And if you think that you will just put the GPS unit from the Limited model into your Laredo that is not an option either.

First impressions so far - the 8 speed with the 3.6L Pentastar petrol engine is a cracker, the new 8 speed transmission has turned it into a real performer.
GPS Navigation and power tailgate are now standard on the Limited.
More details soon.

Queensland Jeep Dealer Leo Muller Creates Global Jamboree Events

Global Jamboree is a new business developed by the Leo Muller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Dealer in Queensland.

"For years, we at Leo Muller have been going to Jeep Jamborees in America and we’d now like to bring that experience back to our clients today. We know that a lot of our customers are first time 4WD owners and they really want the full Jeep experience. So to provide that, we’ve developed a business called ‘Global Jamboree’ – where we provide escorted trips, 4WD training and adventure lifest

Wholly owned by the Leo Muller Group, ‘Global Jamboree’ encompasses 4WD driver training, vehicle familiarisation, escorted adventures, advice, education and the opportunity to network with like-minded enthusiasts.

If you live in the Northern State or would like to join a Global Jamboree event visit http://www.globaljamboree.com.au

Bull Bar For KK Cherokee / Liberty Now Available From Australian Manufacturer

At long last a Heavy Duty Bull Bar is now available for the popular KK Jeep Cherokee (Liberty in USA). It has been designed and built in Australia due to local demand from KK owners. Uneek 4x4 are a new player in the Jeep Specialist Accessory market and are currently working on a new Bull Bar for the WK2 Grand Cherokee range also. They have a large range of products for Jeeps including the JK Wrangler. Support Australian small business before you buy from the US.
Check it out at http://www.uneek4x4.com.au/jeep-cherokee-kk/.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Australian Launch Delayed

The all new Jeep KL Cherokee was meant to arrive in Australia around November 2013. But due to production delays and rumoured problems with testing the 4WD system it has been re-schedued to early in 2014. Apparently 2WD models will arrive first and the 4x4 Trail Rated models later.

Camp Coffs 2013

After holding Camp Coffs over the Easter long weekend for 9 years Camp Coffs will be held in 2013 from 3rd till 8th October. Along with the new dates there will be a new venue with the event being held at the Nana Glen Sports and Equestrian Centre, the same location as Camp Coffs 2008. As with previous years the event is for Jeep Action Magazine subscribers.

http://www.jeepaction.com.au/camp_coffs_2013.php

Melbourne Jeep Owners Club Launch New Website

The Melbourne Jeep Owners Club (MJOC) has just launched a new website. Make sure you check it out at www.mjoc.org.au
MJOC is Australia's largest Jeep owners club and is very active with many upcoming trips and driver training courses for it's members. New members are most welcome. You can also join online.

Talking Jeep Oz Facebook Page

We have started a Facebook PAGE
Make sure you get over and like our page.
https://www.facebook.com/talkingjeepozpage

Just A Rumor - Journo's Get Bogged in WK Trailhawk

Just a rumor at this stage but ...
Some journo's were playing in the new WK Trailhawk at a well known Melbourne 4x4 complex and managed to get the Jeep well and truly bogged. Finding no rear recovery hook on the Jeep it apparently incurred major injury to the rear suspension when a recovery was attempted.
How embarrassing!

No Rear Recovery Hook On Aussie Trailhawk Grand Cherokee

Jeep Australia have done it again.
Remember the fiasco with the 2012 Grand Cherokee not having any front recovery hooks?
Well guess what?
The 2013 Trailhawk has arrived at dealerships with two nice bright red heavy duty recovery hooks on the front but .... no recovery hook on the back.
Now this smells of somebody at Jeep Australia not paying attention to details when they are ordering vehicles and specification of options for Australian vehicles. First the 2012 WK's arrived with out the twin recovery hooks that the 2011 had. The 2013 followed and still no recovery hooks. Remember all the complaints from customers wanting the recovery hooks that they were expecting when ordering their new vehicle and then found no hooks when their car arrived. The forums were full of Jeep Grand Cherokee owners complaining so much Jeep Australia had to have a heavy duty hook manufactured here in Australia to pacify all the angry buyers.

All Grand Cherokee models have a rear recovery hook from the factory but the160 WK Grand Cherokee Trailhawks have arrived here with no rear recovery hook.
The car is all set up for the serious four wheel driver except if you need to recover another bogged vehicle. So make sure you get a tow bar fitted to yours so you can fit a receiver hook for recovery.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Launched

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee has been shown for the first time in the USA. And it has a few surprises for all the Jeep Cherokee enthusiasts.



The model mix includes Sport, Latitude, Limited and Trail Rated - Trail Hawk editions the Cherokee will offer three distinct and surprisingly comprehensive 4x4 driveline configurations that belie its suburban looks.

Jeep Active Drive I—available on Sport, Latitude, and Limited models—is a fully automatic, single power-takeoff unit (PTU) system said to improve both under- and oversteer conditions, deliver yaw control, and offer balanced torque distribution via the braking system. Jeep Active Drive II is also available on Sport, Latitude, and Limited models, and offers a two-speed PTU with low range. Selecting 4-Low mode locks the front and rear driveshafts and provides a 2.92:1 gear reduction for maximum torque and pulling power. When teamed with the four-cylinder engine, Active Drive II provides a 56:1 crawl ratio; the crawl ratio with the V-6 is 47.8:1. This system also pulls off the brake-based torque-apportioning trick.



The third system, Jeep Active Jeep Drive Lock, is standard on the Trailhawk, and adds a locking rear differential to all of the Active Drive II features for better low-speed traction.

This is US specification information and a Turbo Diesel option is expected for export markets including Australia. Expected to arrive late this year in Australia.

Chrysler Australia On Track For Sales Record

Unlike another online Australian Jeep site (who have just published an article from last year) these are the facts about Chrysler Australia's sales for 2013.

 

Fiat Chrysler Australia have announced record sales figures for February 2013 

"The importer sold 2144 units in February, which was a 34.9 per cent improvement on the result in February 2012. Chief among the brand's products achieving beyond expectation was the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which sold 970 units for the month, doubling its tally from a year earlier. The company is anticipating its strongest quarter ever once the VFACTS figures for March are released."

"The customer interest we are currently experiencing in our brands is testament to the hard work and dedication of the Fiat Chrysler team," said Clyde Campbell, President and CEO of Fiat Chrysler Group Australia.  "We have the right products at the right price and are working hard to ensure the value equation, when compared to our competitors, always measures up."

source; www.motoring.com.au

 

NEW 2014 JEEP CHEROKEE BRAKES COVER

The All New Jeep Cherokee has broken cover in the US online community today.
Jeep have officially released a photo of the new model. Opinions are mixed on the styling so far but this is a ground braking design change for the iconic Jeep Cherokee. The previous model was known as Liberty in the US and Cherokee in export markets. Now the Cherokee name returns in a stunning design change.

The 2014 Cherokee is expected to arrive in Australia late 2013. It will be offered in a CRD Turbo Diesel, 2.4L 4 Cyl. petrol and 3.2L V6 Pentastar. There will be 2WD, and AWD or 4x4 Trail Rated. Details will be announced in the USA at the New York Motor Show in March.

Trail Hawk Grand Cherokee Here Soon

The Off Road orientated Trail Hawk edition of the 2013 Grand Cherokee Limited is about to hit dealers here in Australia. Limited to just 160 vehicles nationally.

Trail Hawk Grand Cherokee

It will only be available with the popular Turbo Diesel 3.0L CRD  engine and will be fitted with a long list of factory fitted features that will appeal to buyers who are serious about heading off the bitumen and hitting the more challenging 4WD trails. It will only come in one exterior colour (White) and have the black leather interior. Pricing will be just below that of the Overland Diesel. Only 160 lucky Jeepers will own one so get in and order yours quickly or you will  miss out. The Trail Hawk is based on the Grand Cherokee Limited and receives all the features of the Limited plus...

• Black leather/suede seats with Trailhawk logo
• Interior red stitching accents
• Anodised silver/black interior accents
• Media Centre 731N CD/DVD/MP3/HDD/NAV GPS radio
• Mopar slush mats
• Body colour with mineral grey insert
• Mineral grey grille and rear lightbar
• Power liftgate
• Heated steering wheel
• Black hood decal with red stripe
• Trailhawk badge
•  Mineral grey exterior accents and mirror caps
• SRT8 style door badging
• Black headlamp bezels
• Quadra‐Drive II 4WD system
• 3.45 Rear axle ratio
•  230 mm Rear axle
• Electronic limited slip differential
•  Mopar rock rails
• Quadra‐Lift air suspension
• 265/60 R18 BSW all‐terrain tyres
• Goodyear Silent Armor tyres
• 18 X 8.0 Mineral grey aluminium wheels
• Fuel tank skid plate shield
• Transfer case skid plate shield
•  Front suspension skid plate
•  Underbody skid plate
•  Flame red tow hooks

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Jeep Australia Recalls Over 7000 Vehicles

Effected Vehicles - 2002 to 2004 Jeep KJ Cherokee and WG Grand Cherokee
Jeep Australia have announced a National recall of these vehicles as part of an international recall.
The potential computer malfunction can force “the front airbags, side curtain airbags, and/or seatbelt pre-tensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated,'' the recall notice said. While the faulty airbags could potentially cause an accident, no injuries have been reported in more than 200 cases worldwide where airbags inadvertently released – including one in Australia. 

Fiat Chrysler Group Australia is writing to affected owners but conceded said limited availability of parts in Australia will delay repairs until March for the Cherokee and August for the Grand Cherokee.

Customers with any queries are asked to contact a Jeep dealer or call the Jeep Customer Service centre on 1300 133 079.

Jeep Compass Upgrade for 2014 Model Year

2014 will be the last of the current model Jeep Compass Compact SUV and it gets a minor face-lift and trim upgrade before an all new Fiat/Alfa based 2015 MY arrives. Major change is a new 6 Speed automatic which will replace the CVT transmission in the current model.
We should see the 2014 models around middle of the year.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Breaks Cover In US

The mid model upgrade for the Grand Cherokee has broken cover today in the US prior to tomorrow's official unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show - photos reveal mild improvements and refinements to the front and rear, new styled alloys and it appears most of the improvements have been to the interior with a major revamp of the audio system and screen functionality. We have also noticed changes to the 4WD selector where Mud/Sand modes have been separated (maybe because some cars have experienced 4WD failures in  sand conditions) and the major change is 8 Speed automatics across the range. The dash looks very similar to the latest Chrysler 300 range and gear selector is similar also. Aussie aficionado's will also notice the twin Recovery/Tow hooks fitted similar to the 2011 models.
The published specification details are for US market and Australian specifications and option packs will differ to the American models.

Meanwhile current Australian 2013 stocks of the award winning Grand Cherokee are running low with some models almost sold out until the 2014 arrives in Australia around July. Australian dealers will have to go 3 to 4 months with no Grand Cherokee arrivals before the new model gets here.