2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon on 2040-cars

Auto blog

New England Patriots player helps driver of rollover crash

Winning the AFC Championship game to guarantee a spot in the Super Bowl would be a pretty major accomplishment for most people in a day. However, just hours after the victory, New England Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork showed what he could do off the field, when he helped save a woman from an overturned car. Though, the player remained modest about what happened. Wilfork and his wife were driving home late at night when they spotted a flipped Jeep near Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. Surveillance video showed Wilfork pulling over and running to the vehicle's aid to be among the first on the scene. Finding a woman trapped inside, Wilfork told her, "Don't panic," and according to Massachusetts State Police, the 325-pound player simply reached his arm into the vehicle and lifted the woman out to save her. She was later charged with driving under the influence. Hear Wilfork's description of what happened in the video above.

NHTSA closes book on Jeep 'trailer hitch' recall after all

After much debating and hand-wringing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration now says it has "no reservations" with Chrysler's plan to recall certain Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models over concerns that their fuel tanks, which are located behind the rear axle, could rupture or leak in the event of a rear impact. The longstanding argument between the two entities saw Chrysler openly defy the Feds after a request to recall 2.7 million units back in June.
Chrysler's "voluntary campaign" will instead see it recall 1.56-million 1993-2004 model year Grand Cherokee SUVs, along with 2002-2007 Liberty models. Affected vehicles will get a trailer hitch installed free of charge, which Chrysler says will provide an additional degree of protection for the fuel tanks in the event of a crash. Jeeps with Mopar-branded hitches or hitches that were installed at the factory aren't affected by this recall.
Chrysler's argument throughout this battle has been that the Jeeps in question are no more susceptible to fires than comparable vehicles from the same time period, a position that NHTSA has seemingly arrived at as well. "Those vehicles performed at a rate similar to their peers. That is the keystone analysis as to whether something poses an unreasonable risk to safety," said outgoing NHTSA boss David Strickland during an interview with the The Associated Press.

2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice is a Superhero special [w/video]

The Jeep Renegade doesn't fit the usual image for the Batmobile, but it seems Bruce Wayne is willing to use what's around in a pinch. Thanks to the compact crossover's appearance for a scene in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, a new version now offers customers a blacked-out CUV that looks tailor made for the Dark Knight. Buyers can order the Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition in an exclusive shade called Carbon Black or a lighter Granite Crystal with a gloss black roof. To continue the dark look, Jeep fits shiny black trim and 18-inch wheels in the same color, and there's an emblem that blends Superman and Batman's logos. The shadowy appearance continues inside on the cloth seats and gloss trim, but metal diamond accents on the gearshift and door handles offer some contrast. The company bases the Dawn of Justice edition on the Latitude 4x4 trim with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. It comes standard with the Popular Equipment Group, which combines remote start, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. The Dawn of Justice Special Edition retails for $27,245 (after $995 destination) and is available now. Company spokesperson Todd Goyer tells Autoblog that Jeep expects production to be in the "low thousands." You can watch Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne speeding around in a Renegade below in the ad for this superhero-themed version. The film hits theaters on March 25. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: FCA US LAUNCHES ONE-OF-A-KIND CO-BRANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROS. PICTURES' BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Jeep® and Dodge brands debut marketing campaigns as part of promotional partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016 Jeep brand introduces all-new 2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition available now in dealerships across the country Jeep and Dodge brands to launch commercials using hero scenes from the film February 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC and Warner Bros. Pictures are joining forces in a one-of-kind co-branded partnership to mark the premiere of the highly anticipated debut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016).