2014 Jeep Compass Latitude on 2040-cars

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Jeep Wrangler Polar is a tasty frozen treat

Perhaps it's because we've seen so many kitted-out examples over the years, but it seems to us that the Jeep Wrangler tends to wear its special-edition duds better than most models. It might be the icon's familiar rectilinear proportions or the inherent bolt-on look of its extremities - bumpers, mirrors, lighting, and step rails - but we've seen precious few factory specials that look anything but excellent.
Case in point: this new Jeep Wrangler Polar unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This European-market limited-edition model is said to be a celebration of winter driving, which evidently works out to a body-color hardtop, black-accent seven-slot grille, 18-inch gloss black wheels, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential and a hard hat for the spare tire. Finished here in Hydro Blue (Billet Silver Metallic and Bright White are also available) and a black interior with Polar White accents, the Polar edition features badges displaying 78° S and 106° E longitude and latitude coordinates for Vostok, Antarctica.
This new Jeep will be available in both standard and Unlimited formats with either the 3.6-liter Pentastar gas engine or the still-not-for-US 2.8-liter turbodiesel when it bows early next year. For further details, check out our gallery above and the press release below.

Federal investigations about safety of rear-mounted gas tanks is nothing new

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Chrysler are currently making waves in our daily news feeds due to a disagreement over the safety of a few million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models. Specifically, NHTSA has asked Chrysler to recall the SUVs because of the location of their fuel tanks, but you may be interested to know that requests such as this are nothing new.
Besides the two Jeep models, NHTSA has launched investigations over the years in such models as the Ford Crown Victoria (and its police-car counterpart), GM pickups built between 1972 and 1987, and rather famously the Ford Pinto.
Understanding how automakers and NHTSA have dealt with fuel-tank-safety concerns in the past may offer a better understanding of how Chrysler and the government agency will settle their current dispute. Check out the complete article from The Detroit News here.

Car Club USA: Moab Jeep Jamboree

Today Autoblog is excited to premiere its latest original video series, Car Club USA. Car Club USA's debut episode features the Just Jeeps club of Omaha, including a father-son duo traveling to Moab, UT to brave the treacherous trails. Brian is behind the wheel, as his father guides him through the most dangerous geographical features Moab's red desert has to offer. Joining them are Gene and Jean, an older married couple from Minnesota whose modified Jeep Wrangler – like its owners – knows no bounds. "We're in our seventies now," explained Jean. "We could be sitting at home in a rocking chair watching TV, but we'd rather do this." Also hitting the trails is Matt, a Californian who looks to pay homage to his father by exploring southern Utah in a World War II-era Jeep Willys. "This was our stomping ground," said Matt. "That's why I chose to come to Utah for my big vacation this year, in his memory, to see some of the places we used to go together, and have fun and do some Jeeping." Each Car Club USA episode features a different car club or event from across the US, where passionate owner communities gather to share automotive experiences and embark on incredible adventures. From Main Street cruises to off-road trails, catch all the latest car club activity on Autoblog. Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles Car Club USA Videos