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2018 Jeep Wrangler scores 1 star in European crash tests

The Jeep Wrangler got a full redesign for the 2018 model year, and this Euro NCAP test we have here is the first official independent safety testing we've seen for the new model. Historically, the Wrangler has performed poorly in crash tests. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the previous generation a three-star rating. Euro NCAP testing puts a lot more weight on driver assistance systems in its testing, an area where the new Wrangler is somewhat lacking. It lost points for not having things like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist — the Wrangler doesn't offer either of those things in Europe, even as an option. However, the 2019 model year Wrangler does (2018 does not) offer active braking for the U.S., a $795 package gives your Wrangler the ability to brake itself to a full stop if it senses the risk of a collision. This package includes adaptive cruise control, too, but lane-keep assist is not available. On top of the lack of active driver safety systems, its performance in NCAP's impact testing left a bit to be desired, as well. We did the math to see the raw Euro NCAP scores for a crash without it being dragged down by the driver assistance systems, and adult occupant safety came out to 56.7 percent. Child occupant safety was a tad better at 69 percent. These still aren't great numbers, so it's clear that the lack of driver assistance features isn't the only thing pulling the score down. We aren't particularly surprised by the Wrangler's numbers, but it's information potential buyers should know about the truck. For those wanting an even deeper dive, check out Euro NCAP's full testing results here. The Euro NCAP also released a video of its Jeep Wrangler crash testing, which you can watch above. None of it looks particularly egregious at first blush, especially compared to video of the Fiat Panda, which recently received a whopping zero star rating. Scoring zero stars in a crash test is always a red flag, but customers won't ever buy the Panda in the U.S. anyway. We'll be watching for crash test ratings from the NHTSA and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for U.S. market 2018 Wranglers to see if those tests produce different results. Related video:

2018 Jeep Wrangler owner’s manuals leaked, and they tell us much — but not all

If you're looking for some light reading to start your week, we have a suggestion for you. The " Owner's Manual" and the " User Guide" for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have leaked, and have been posted on the JL Wrangler Forums. They appear to be the real deal. There's a ton of information, and many pages to pore over, but here's a little bit of what we've gleaned so far. The documents (assuming they're not just some very elaborate and convincing hoax) confirm the power sliding top, which is not removable, though the rear quarter windows are. We're not seeing any mention of a power soft top, though. There are instructions on door removal, as well as folding down the windshield. The manuals also confirm a 4WD Auto mode that shifts power between the front and rear axles as needed. What we don't appear to have yet are complete specifications. The manuals mention the 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter engines, but not their output figures. The 2.0-liter recommends premium fuel, while the 3.6-liter only needs 87 octane. Towing capacity for the two-door models is 2,000 pounds, while the four-door versions are capable of 3,500 pounds. The manuals also provide a lot of images, if you're interested in seeing the nitty gritty details of the Wrangler's various functions. Take a look, and make sure to post any interesting findings in the comments section, below. Related Video:

Chrysler says its 8-speed transmissions will save 700 million gallons

Chrysler Group's TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission could be earning some serious green bragging rights if the company's projections are correct. The recently widely proliferated automatic gearbox, which is now in more than a million vehicles around the world, is poised to save drivers an estimated 700+ million gallons of fuel over the vehicles' lifetimes (an expected cost savings of $2.5 billion). In addition, Chrysler expects a reduction in CO2 emissions by more than six million metric tons. According to Chrysler, and depending on the vehicle, the TorqueFlite can improve fuel economy. The TorqueFlite autobox features particularly close ratios from fifth to eighth gear (see the press release below for the specific numbers), and uses low-viscosity fluid that doesn't need to be replaced. Transmission software adapts to the driving situation to optimize efficiency based on driver behavior, temperature, grade, stability control, and longitudinal and lateral acceleration. The TorqueFlite is capable of handling a variety of duties. As evidenced by the wide range of vehicles Chrysler Group has seen fit to equip with the eight-speed transmission, the TorqueFlite is capable of handling a variety of duties. Since its 2012 introduction, the TorqueFlite has gone from performing cog-swapping duties in Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models equipped with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 to changing gears in vehicles such as the Pentastar- and Hemi-powered Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee and even the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. For the 2015 model year, the eight-speed is finding its way into even more vehicles with the addition of a third version. In addition to the American-made TorqueFlite 845RE and 8HP70, the new 8HP90 will be manufactured in Saarbrucken, Germany. The 8HP90 is designed for higher torque loads, making it ideal for high-performance vehicles like the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat. The already-in-use 8HP70 will expand its duties to be used in 2015 Hemi models such as the Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Challenger SRT8. You can see the list of those benchmarks in Chrysler's press release below.