1980 Jeep Cj5 on 2040-cars

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Mopar showcases modified Jeeps in Dubai

Showing that FCA is serious about expanding its global reach, Jeep and Mopar have rolled in to the Dubai Motor Show this year with three modified off-roaders. One is based on the Cherokee, and the other two are wrought from the Wrangler. But it's the Cherokee that's getting the lion's share of attention. The vehicle you see pictured here is called the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer. It's based on the Trailhawk, but adopts some special equipment to set it apart. It packs a modified suspension, BFGoodrich off-road tires, widened fenders, skid plates, a pseudo-military matte green paint job and a matching green leather interior from Pelle Frau. Power comes from the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 driving 272 horsepower through a nine-speed automatic and locking rear differential to all four wheels. The name KrawLer emphasizes the KL code by which the current Cherokee is known. Alongside the Cherokee KrawLer, Mopar and Jeep are also showcasing a pair of modified Wranglers. One is the Sahara Sun Runner, done up in matte yellow with a four-inch lift kit and half-doors. The Wranger Dark Side, meanwhile, is based on a two-door Rubicon and features giant tires, flat fenders, and an array of other Mopar components. Alongside those, Jeep is showcasing the Renegade for the first time in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Mopar is also demonstrating its enhancements for the Chrysler 200, Dodge Charger R/T, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Ram Rebel, Fiat 500X, and the new Fullback pickup from Fiat Professional. The Fiat division will also be on hand to show the new Tipo sedan as well. 10 November 2015 The Jeep® Brand at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show - Premiere for the Middle East of the new Jeep®; Renegade - Three show cars fitted with exclusive Mopar®; accessories: Cherokee KrawLer, Wrangler Sahara Sun Runner and Wrangler Dark Side to star on the stand - Reinforcing the breadth of the Jeep brand, the full current vehicle line-up will be on show at the Middle East's leading automotive event Making its debut for the first time at a leading motor show in the Middle East is the new, recently-introduced Jeep®; Renegade, the compact SUV that boasts the best off-road performance in its segment alongside three Moparised show editions: Cherokee KrawLer, Wrangler Sahara Sun Runner and Wrangler Dark Side.

Germany threatens to ban FCA vehicles over diesel emissions dispute

Germany is threatening to ban sales of FCA products over diesel emissions. According to the newspaper Bild Am Sonntag, Germany's Federal Motor Transport Authority found evidence of a so-called defeat device that shuts down certain emissions controls after running for 22 minutes. A standard diesel emissions test in the European Union reportedly takes 20 minutes to complete. FCA denies the allegations. "We believe all our vehicles respect EU emissions standards and we believe Italian regulators are the competent authority to evaluate this," the company said in a statement. The latter part of that statement drew ire from German authorities, especially after FCA declined to meet with German transport minister Alexander Dobrindt to discuss the issue. Graziano Delrio, the Italian Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, vowed to work with German authorities on behalf of FCA. According to EU law, FCA is required to homologate its vehicles in Italy because that's where its regional operations are based. When will the diesel-scented soap opera end? We wish we knew, but our Magic 8 Ball is covered in soot. Related Video: News Source: Financial TimesImage Credit: Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg via Getty Government/Legal Green Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Emissions Diesel Vehicles FCA

What would you drive in 1985?

Bereft of live baseball games to watch, I've turned to the good ship YouTube to watch classic games. While watching the 1985 American League Championship Series last night, several of the broadcast's commercials made its way into the original VHS recording, including those for cars. "Only 8.8% financing on a 1985 Ford Tempo!" What a deal! That got me thinking: what would I drive in 1985?  It sure wouldn't be a Tempo. Or an IROC-Z, for that matter, despite what my Photoshopped 1980s self would indicate in the picture above. I posed this question to my fellow Autobloggists. Only one could actually drive back then, I was only 2 and a few editors weren't even close to being born. Here are our choices, which were simply made with the edict of "Come on, man, be realistic."  West Coast Editor James Riswick: OK, I started this, I'll go first. I like coupes today, so I'm pretty sure I'd drive one back then. I definitely don't see myself driving some badge-engineered GM thing from 1985, and although a Honda Prelude has a certain appeal, I must admit that something European would likely be in order. A BMW maybe? No, I'm too much a contrarian for that. The answer is therefore a 1985 Saab 900 Turbo 3-Door, which is not only a coupe but a hatchback, too. If I could scrounge up enough Reagan-era bucks for the ultra-cool SPG model, that would be rad. The 900 Turbo pictured, which was for auction on Bring a Trailer a few years ago, came with plum-colored Bokhara Red, and you're damn sure I would've had me one of those. Nevermind 1985, I'd probably drive this thing today.   Associate Editor Byron Hurd: I'm going to go with the 1985.5 Ford Mustang SVO, AKA the turbocharged Fox Body that everybody remembers but nobody drives. The mid-year update to the SVO bumped the power up from 175 ponies (yeah, yeah) to 205, making it almost as powerful (on paper, anyway) as the V8-powered GT models offered in the same time frame. I chose this particular car because it's a bit of a time capsule and, simultaneously, a reminder that all things are cyclical. Here we are, 35 years later, and 2.3-liter turbocharged Mustangs are a thing again. Who would have guessed?