While out in the Mojave testing the new Subaru STI, our buddy Rich Truesdell not only came upon a fleet of 2009 Acura TLs, but caravan of Mopars. There were "several Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8s, a Dodge Challenger, with a camouflaged Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a trailer in tandem with a Mercedes ML towing a similar trailer." The ML was a tipoff that this could be a Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes-shared turbodiesel engine. But when the vehicles passed by, they knew they were listening to a Hemi under that hood. So maybe it is just an upgraded Hemi that was being load-tested against a similarly powerful ML550. Informed speculation says that a new fascia lies behind the camo and it was undergoing cooling testing.

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A diesel-engined Jeep Patriot can go through six countries under the right circumstances. Jeep would like to remind you that even if you're not going on a lengthy journey, you can still enjoy the 35mpg (U.S.) vehicle. Why? Well, it's apparently "a bling thing" (as you can see in the press release after the jump).

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Now that the newly-designed Wrangler has gained an optional extra set of doors, those wanting a little extra passenger-carrying capability with their off-road ready rough-and-tumble ride have been able to get it in the Unlimited model. Of course, there has been an important unanswered question looming ever since: how many people can fit inside comfortably?

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Who needs an 18-cent a gallon gas tax holiday from pandering politicians when you have Chrysler on your side?! With gas prices rapidly approaching and exceeding $4 a gallon across the nation, Chrysler is offering up a deal that just might make people who are averse to the looks of cars like the Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Compass think twice. Between now and June 2, anyone who buys any new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle will be able to register for a "Let's Refuel America" card.

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According to Bloomberg, the demise of the Jeep Commander is but a year away. Anonymous sources inside Chrysler told the news service that with a 43-percent decline this year, which follows declines every year since its first full year on the market, the Commander is surrendering its command.

The SUV's end was claimed to be due to gas prices, since a V8 Commander averages about 17 MPG. However, exorbitant (for America) gas prices haven't killed a number of other vehicles that don't even do that well, so that reasoning makes us wonder. What makes more sense is that in addition to the sales plunge, the Commander was stealing an unexpectedly high number of sales from the Grand Cherokee. In a cozy pool, every little bit of water counts.

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Though the classic lines remain, the Wrangler is just a year old in its current form. New for 2007, the current Wrangler is larger (and wider) than the previous model and a new 3.8-liter, 202-horsepower V-6 engine replaces the former 4.0-liter in-line six and is now the Wrangler’s standard engine. The new V-6 comes with either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.With the new Wrangler in 2007 came a four-door, extended wheelbase Unlimited model to the lineup, a Wrangler first. Also, Jeep added a new three-piece “Freedom Top” hardtop that’s easier to manage than the former one-piece design.Off-roading toughness of both Jeeps is assured by live axle front and rear suspensions, with 10.2 inches of ground clearance and the availability of a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive system with heavy-duty axles, locking differentials, Rock-Trac transfer case with extra-low gearing, electronically disconnecting stabilizer bar and knobby BF Goodrich tires on Rubicon versions.

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We found the 2008 Jeep Liberty to be a welcome update from the fabled off-road marquee, with nice added value features like a nicer interior and the cool power sliding canvas roof. Slightly less inviting was the indoor snowstorm our art director was subjected to, click through the jump to read all about it.

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Jeep’s headline display at the Detroit Auto Show will be the Trailhawk concept, a SUV that’s supposed to be at home both on and off the road. The design is a mish-mash of previous Jeep concepts and other SUVs, but the Trailhawk does have a few redeeming qualities. Firstly, there’s the innovative roof system, which is made up of two glass panels directly above the driver and passenger. A third glass is located above the rear passengers, and all three are removable for open-air cruising. The concept rides on a 116-inch wheelbase and comes with massive 22” wheels. Power comes courtesy of a 3.0L BLUETEC diesel engine from Mercedes that develops 215hp and 376 ft-lbs. of torque.

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Chrysler rolled out three concepts at the 2008 Detroit auto show, each pairing exciting design and glimpse-of-the-future features with environmental friendliness.

All three deliver power through an electric motor system and advanced, yet-to-be-developed lithium-ion battery pack, but each model has a different type of "range extender for the powertrain" ...

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Sitting alongside Wrangler, Patriot, Compass, Grand Cherokee and Commander there’s now the all-new Cherokee. It fits into the range between Patriot/Compass and Grand Cherokee and is built on a two-inch shorter version of the base that underpins the Dodge Nitro...

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Chrysler is to show three concept cars at next January's Detroit Auto Show, all with eco-friendly powertrain technology.

Chrysler may be axing a whole swathe of models from its line-up - the Pacifica, the Dodge Magnum and the PT Cruiser convertible have already been confirmed for the chop...

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Let me introduce you to the Tender Scarlette. This 4WD that looks like an old Jeep is really all-electric and currently available for sale in France. We've mentioned it before, but let's not forget that France has one of the most advantageous electric tariffs in Europe, thanks to the country's widespread use of nuclear energy. In fact, France supplies its neighbors with electricity....

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For Wrangler owners who believe that it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that... chrome, Mopar has a delivery for you. The new chrome grille, only for the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, lets you front more of the shiny stuff in case you haven't been getting the kind of attention you deserve at chi-chi establishments. It's got all the Jeep fixin's, it installs in 20 minutes, and it'll only set you back $299. Even better,......

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Chrysler is abandoning the Jeep Cherokee's current curvy look in favour of a back-to-basics return to straight lines for the 2008 car, which will be unveiled next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The 4x4, which arrives in the UK next May, also gains new independent front suspension, five-link rear suspension and modified rack-and-pinion steering to address criticisms of its ride comfort and handling. The full-time four-wheel drive system has also been updated, and there's a choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox to go with the updated 2.8-litre diesel engine.

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Chrysler's price-slashing continues, with the latest recipient being the redesigned 2008 Jeep Liberty, which arrives bearing a price tag that starts at $20,990 for a Sport 4x2 model and $22,600 for a Sport 4x4 including a $660 destination fee -- $1270 and $1170, respectively, less than the outgoing model. Limited models start at $25,175 and $26,785 -- $720 and $620 lower than before.

The new Liberty receives a redesigned independent suspension up front and a new five-link suspension in the rear, standard side curtain airbags, and an available full-length "Sky Slider" open-canvas roof that provides a taste of the open-top experience offered by the Wrangler. Sky Slider is offered on both Sport and Limited trims as a $1,200 option. Available only on Limited 4x4 models is the Selec-Trac II full-time four-wheel drive system that can be used on dry pavement as well as low-traction surfaces. Read the rest of this entry »

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