Jeep cars

Jeep Liberty Replacement will be Unveiled in New York

We know that everyone’s attention is now focused on the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but right after that the New York Auto Show will open its doors. This is where Chrysler will unveil the successor to the current Liberty. We say the successor because the company still has to decide if the "Liberty" name will be kept or a new name will be adopted.

The new model will be smaller and lighter than the new Grand Cherokee, but it will deliver the same off-road capacities of its big brothers in the Jeep lineup. One of the major updates will include a new independent rear suspension system - as revealed by the prototypes that were caught testing.

Along with the new-generation Liberty, Chrysler will also unveil 47 all-new or significantly refreshed models over the next four years, six of which will come from Alfa Romeo. It is rumored that Jeep will contribute with a new-generation Wagoneer, plus an entry level model set to be produced in Italy.

2014 Jeep Cherokee Looks Like no Other Jeep

We know that Jeep has been working on a new smaller SUV for quite some time now, but everyone expected this new model to be the new-generation Liberty built on an Alfa Romeo platform. Instead, rumors point toward Jeep deciding to bring back the ”Cherokee” name, and as you can see from this leaked image, it looks like no other Jeep.

The first thing you will notice is the odd headlight design that combines narrow lights on the top with larger bulbs next to the grille. When viewed from the side, it looks a little bit like the Isuzu Axiom - a car that enjoyed relative success, despite its odd looks. In general, the new Cherokee features a more futuristic look and no doubt is more daring than any other Jeep we have ever seen.

The new Cherokee will be based on the Alfa Giulietta, but with all the modifications needed to transform it into a real off-road model. The model is expected to receive a 3.2-liter V-6 engine, while a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine will be offered for exported models.

The new Cherokee will be unveiled next month at the New York Auto Show.

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

The 2013 Detroit Auto Show brought another addition to the Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup in the form of a new SRT version that adds an aggressive, upscale exterior appearance combined with a luxurious interior. The model is in fact an updated version of the now-famous Grand Cherokee SRT8 version, which will be put on sale later in 2013.

When compared to a standard Grand Cherokee, the SRT version will be featuring a more aggressive exterior look, with updates over the previous SRT8 version, including a new signature LED character lamp treatment, a brawnier grille, a new, one-touch liftgate and a new rear spoiler. On the inside, the model has received a new 8.4-inch touchscreen, a redesigned SRT-exclusive three-spoke and a few more other updates.

However, the most impressive update is the addition of a new 8HP70 eight-speed automatic transmission that delivers smoother, more refined shifting and improved fuel economy.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT.

2013 Jeep Wrangler CJ300 Matte Pearl Platinum by Kahn Design

Just four days into the New Year, Kahn Design has announced a sweet CJ300 Matte Pearl Platinum Edition based on the Jeep Wrangler.

The exterior kit includes a new front grille, new headlamps, Kahn enamel wing shields, side and rear panels. The tuner is also offering an optional quad exhaust system and a new set of 9-by-20-inch wheels available in smoked black. Also added in are brake calipers finished in copper.

The interior has also received a bespoke touch and features front and rear seats in black leather with orange inserts and carbon-fiber center stripe, a new dashboard center console in body color, speedo and rev counter fascia in orange and gear shifters wrapped in orange.

As usual, the tuner is offering each customer the possibility to express his or her own desire by offering a wide choice of colors and materials for the interior.

The new Jeep Wrangler CJ300 Matte Pearl Platinum by Kahn Design will make its debut on January 10th, 2013 at the annual Auto Sport Show at the N.E.C arena in Birmingham, UK.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 Hyun Black Edition

Add Jeep to the list of automakers looking to ingratiate themselves to the Chinese market. The American automaker has announced plans to offer a special edition Grand Cherokee SRT8 exclusively to the Chinese market.

Yeah, what’s new, right?

Called the Hyun Black Edition, the special make Grand Cherokee SRT8 is actually no different from the SRT8 Vapor Edition Jeep announced earlier this year. The SUV will retain the Brilliant Black paint finish to go with plenty of chrome accents, tinted bi-xenon headlights, a gloss black painted grille, black badging that we, presume will be the only difference in the Hyun Black Edition from the Vapor Edition, and a new set of 20" aluminum wheels.

Performance capabilities will also be similar because the Hyun Black Edition is expected to be powered by a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine that produces a stout 470 horsepower and 465 pounds-per-feet of torque, allowing the SUV to hit 0-60 mph in just 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph.

For all the impressive qualities of the Grand Cherokee SRT8 Hyun Black Edition, there is one caveat: the model is currently available for order in China with a price of 1.19 million yuan. That, dear friends, is around $190,000 based on current exchange rates. It’s a figure that’s almost four times as much as the Vapor Edition Grand Cherokee.

Yikes.

Fiat confirms 500 SUV and new baby Jeep

Fiat unveiled a very cool teaser video for a possible Fiat 500 crossover earlier this year and now it has been officially confirmed that the 500X crossover will go into production in early 2014 at Fiat’s Melfi factory, incidentally the same plant where the company will also build a new baby Jeep SUV.

As previously announced, the 500X will be offered with a choice of three different engines: the new two-cylinder turbocharged TwinAir engine, a 1.4-liter and a 1.3-liter turbo-diesel. Likewise, the SUV will be based on Fiat’s new "Small Wide" platform, which currently underpins the 500L MPV. As for the new baby Jeep SUV, it will only be available in all-wheel-drive configuration and will be sold worldwide.

Starting in 2015 at the same Melfi factory, Fiat will manufacture the replacement for the current Punto, plus another 500L-based model starting 2016. The new plant required an investement of £810m and will allow up to 1600 vehicles to be built on a three-shift pattern.

2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition

About a decade ago, Jeep came out with a pretty smart idea. With the Wrangler serving the purpose as the brand’s resident off-road warrior, the automaker decided to introduce a new variant of the Wrangler. Jeep called it the "Rubicon" model, an ode to the one of the most grueling off-road trails in the world.

A decade later and the Wrangler Rubicon is as popular as it was — maybe even more — than when it first came out. To pay tribute to the popular off-road vehicle, Jeep has decided to bestow it with the honor of having a 10th Anniversary model.

As such, the Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is born.

Mike Manley, president and CEO of Jeep, knows the significance of the model to the brand’s most passionate enthusiasts. "This [special edition] Wrangler Rubicon is for them," Manley said.

"It is a unique vehicle that we expect will long be sought after; a Wrangler that offers an unprecedented level of capability once only attainable by long hours of custom aftermarket preparation crafted in the garages of the most avid Jeep enthusiasts in the world."

Find out more about the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition after the jump

2013 Jeep Patriot Freedom Edition

With America celebrating Veterans Day over the weekend, Jeep decided to release a model dedicated to the U.S. military members by unveiling a special edition Patriot, dubbed the Freedom Edition. The model is priced at $21,445 and Jeep will donate $250 from each unit it sells to charities that benefit U.S. Military members.

This special edition is based on the 2013 Patriot Latitude and is available in two- or four-wheel-drive configurations. It is distinguished by a military-inspired star on the hood and the rear quarter panel, a bright lower front fascia and an "Oscar Mike" (military jargon for "on the move") badge on the lower part of the front door. It sits on a set of 17-inch high-gloss Mineral-Gray-painted aluminum wheels with bright lug nuts. Customers will have the possibility to choose between three exterior colors: Deep Cherry Red crystal pearl coat, Bright White clear coat or True Blue pearl coat. Also, as a unique feature for this model, Jeep is offering a Dark Gray "Cubic" cloth interior with vinyl bolsters and silver accent stitching, plus a black fabric "star" logo patch on the front seats.

As standard equipment the new Patriot Freedom Edition will offer a sunroof, Security and Cargo Group, all-season floor mats, and on four-wheel-drive models it gerts the All-weather Capability Group.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Chelsea Truck Company CJ300 Expedition by Kahn Design

If we got a nickel for every time British tuning company Kahn Design came out with a program, we’d already have enough money to buy...well, probably one of their tuning packages.

Known for being one of the finest aftermarket companies around, Kahn Design is no slouch when it comes to quantity of programs released. After all, it was only two months ago when they presented a program for the Jeep Wrangler called the Chelsea Truck CJ 300 Expedition Vehicle.

Not content with just one option for its customers, Kahn Design has returned with new vigor to present another program for the rough and tough American utility vehicle. This time, though, they’re calling it the Sahara Chelsea Truck Company CJ300 Expedition.

Extremely long name notwithstanding, the Sahara CJ300 Expedition comes chalk full of new goodies as per Kahn Design. The most noticeable is the choice of a Bright Yellow body finish that we reckon would stick out like a sore thumb when it’s out running around the trails and woods. But if you can take the body color as is, you’ll be pleased to know that Kahn did yet another fabulous job upgrading the Wrangler’s digs.

The horizontal LED daytime running lights is a Kahn Design specialty, as are the carbon side wing blades, the xenon crosshair headlamps, the smoked side repeaters, the stainless steel door entry sill plates, the mud flaps, and of course, the 20" Kahn RS wheels fitted into the all-utility vehicle. The British tuner even threw in a Chelsea Truck Company spare wheel cover and stainless steel cross air exhausts for good measure.

All told, the Wrangler Sahara Chelsea Truck Company CJ300 Expedition is everything Kahn Design represents: meticulously built with an eye towards improved looks and performance.

Or in other words: another winning product from a winning tuning company.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Half & Half

We’ve seen some pretty zany graphics done on a lot of cars over the years. What we haven’t seen before is a zipper. Yeah, a zipper.

Somehow, though, Jeep and Mopar managed to do that to a Grand Cherokee. It’s called the Cherokee Half & Half and as the name evidently suggests, it’s so named because of the dual identity Jeep and Mopar wanted to convey to the SUV. Hence, the use of an actual oversized Mopar zipper attached to the front bumper. SEMA would be so proud.

On one half of the Grand Cherokee is actually a perfectly fine, albeit non-customized Deep Cherry Pearl Coat Grand Cherokee Laredo. As for the other half of the SUV, that’s where Mopar used a plethora of its own accessories to illustrate a "before-and-after" look to the Grand Cherokee. Even the wheels are of different sizes with the regular model boasting of 17" wheels whereas the Moparized side was fitted with 20" chrome wheels.

This odd example of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde was also translated in other parts of the exterior, including chrome on the mesh-grille insert, tube steps, mirror caps, a hood air deflector and fog lamp bezels. The SUV also has a trailer hitch with a wiring harness, front tow hooks, a bright license plate frame, roof rack cross bows and, and a luggage carrier - or half of it, as we should say.

Moving to the interior, one half is normal and the other part comes dressed with Mopar goodies, including a premium Katzkin Tuscany Leather interior, logo door-sill guards, a bright pedal kit, all-weather mats, a cargo tray, and a cargo net.

Talking about weird aftermarket projects, this one’s definitely on top of that list.