2005 Jeep Wrangler X on 2040-cars

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Next-gen Jeep Wrangler to get 8-speed automatic and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel

Following up on previous reports, an anonymous source within FCA has confirmed to Autoblog that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler will come to market with both a 3.0-liter, EcoDiesel V6 and ZF's critically acclaimed eight-speed automatic transmission. While this pairing makes a lot of sense (we'll explain why in a minute), until now, we only had limited reports that either item would arrive in the next-generation Wrangler. This is the first time we've heard that the eight-speed automatic and the diesel would be paired together. That said, we shouldn't be surprised by this news. FCA currently sells the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 with the diesel/eight-speed gearbox combo, making its inclusion in the next-gen Wrangler far from an Apollo 11-caliber feat of engineering. Naturally, we reached out to Jeep for an official comment. Spokesperson Gabrielle Schulte gave us the expected response to this kind of inquiry, telling Autoblog that FCA does not comment on future product. Jeep has flirted with the idea of a diesel Wrangler for some time, with CEO Mike Manley telling Ward's Auto just over two years ago that a Wrangler diesel was "on the radar," although at that time, we weren't certain whether it'd be the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel showing up in the rough-and-tumble off-roader. As for the eight-speed, SEC filings back in November revealed that it'd be coming to the Wrangler in 2018. Our source could not confirm which model year the 8AT/diesel would arrive in. Related Video:

Woman and child die after Jeep gets stuck in mud

A Florida woman and her baby died over the weekend when their Jeep sank into deep mud during an off-roading trip. Taylor Brown took his girlfriend Hallie Lewis and their infant son Bryson off-roading in his Jeep Cherokee on Saturday night. The Jeep became stuck in thick mud, according to WESH. Brown got out of the vehicle while Lewis and Bryson remained inside. Using a winch, Brown tried – unsuccessfully – to free the Jeep. The Cherokee was left running as he struggled to pull it out of the mud. When he returned to the Jeep to check on his son and girlfriend, he found them unresponsive. Taylor pulled the two out of the back window, but it was too late. Lewis was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The baby died shortly thereafter. Police are still investigating, but their deaths appear to be a tragic accident due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The tailpipe of the Jeep was either submerged or caked with mud, allowing the deadly gas to build up inside the vehicle. News Source: WESH Weird Car News Jeep tailpipe carbon monoxide

Jeep team takes a field trip to Wagonmaster; researching next Grand Wagoneer?

They have the very best intentions of rolling out a seven-passenger vehicle.
Wagonmaster has made a name for itself restoring and selling factory-perfect Jeep Grand Wagoneer models, bridging the gap between when the last production machine rolled off the line in 1991 and present day. The company's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. The entire Jeep product planning team took a little field trip to the company's facility in Kerrville, Texas back in December, and they weren't just there to take in the sights. According to owner Leon Miller's son, Chip Miller, the Jeep team was there to do research for the successor to the Grand Wagoneer throne.