1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic Sport Utility 4-door 4.0l***no Reserve*** on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Are future vehicular hacks inevitable?

Before the hack of the Uconnect system in a Jeep Cherokee resulted in a 1.4-million vehicle recall, the potential software vulnerabilities in vehicles were already a hot topic with Congressional inquiries and even proposed legislation in the US. As cars' interconnected systems gain the ability to go online, they become open to a host of new threats. Automakers are trying to stop this, but it might be too late to put the genie back into the bottle. Throughout 2015, the issue of software security in vehicles has become increasingly vital. For example, the recent Jeep case wasn't even the biggest hack this year. In February, a major flaw was discovered in the BMW Connected Drive service that allowed researchers to remotely lock and unlock the doors and potentially affected 2.2 million cars. The fix was an over-the-air patch for the problem. Automakers are actively working to fix the issues. Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi reportedly are using encrypted connections and firewalls in their vehicles to prevent hacking. "Absolute, 100-percent safety isn't possible," Daimler spokesperson Benjamin Oberkersch said to Automotive News Europe. "But we develop our systems, tested by internal and external experts, so they're up to date." These vulnerabilities seem to be popping up more often. A successful hack took $14 in parts from Radio Shack in one case. There was also a 60 Minutes report earlier in the year about DARPA's ability to hack into OnStar to take control of a Chevrolet Impala. Experts aren't so sure companies can contend with hackers' advancement. "The difficulty for the carmakers at the moment is the question whether they can keep pace with advances in technology, and especially hacking technology," Rainer Scholz, executive director for telematics consultant EY, said to Automotive News Europe. "We seriously doubt they can." At this point, vehicle hacks are coming more from researchers looking for holes than from those with malicious intent. Still, the vulnerabilities are definitely there. It's up to automakers to keep patching the problems before they become dangerous to drivers. Related Video: News Source: Automotive News Europe - sub. req.Image Credit: Bill O'Leary / The Washington Post via Getty Images Audi BMW Jeep Mercedes-Benz Safety Technology Emerging Technologies hacking cyber security

Jeep teases Trailcat and other Easter Safari concepts

Update: It's confirmed. The Trailcat is a Hellcat-powered Wrangler concept. Stay tuned for more details. Ahead of the 50th annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah, the company is teasing two of the seven concepts it'll be taking along. There are virtually no solid details about these two Jeeps, save that they exist. But just reading the word scrawled across the Jeep Wrangler Trailcat concept's hood gets the blood pumping. We've been hearing about Hellcat-powered Jeeps for a while now. The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk has been the subject of a steady drum-roll of rumors and reputed confirmations, and even a spy video. But that's the Grand Cherokee. But a Wrangler? The aftermarket has been fooling with it. A company called Hauk will stuff one in a Wrangler for you, and surely other companies will follow. For Jeep itself to stuff one into a concept vehicle seems like a great way to fire up the diehard Wrangler folks. The other concept is called the Jeep Crew Chief, and it looks like an update of the Jeep Chief concept from last year. That incredible, retro design recalled the SJ-generation Jeep Cherokee of the 1970s and '80s. Last year's Chief was based on a Wrangler Unlimited, with the rear doors slightly disguised to emulate its two-doored forbearer. Based on the "Crew" part of the name, we can surmise it might be a crew-cab pickup conversion with the wonderful Chief front end. Expect it to be a hit, as well. Related Video: Jeep Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles easter jeep safari

Jeep's new Chip Away commercial has us hunting Al Pacino's back catalog

Chrysler has done a pretty good job as of late turning its television commercials into pep talks or rallying cries, but for its first ad for the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee, it turned to Al Pacino's inspirational speech from the movie Any Given Sunday. In the movie, Pacino's character talks about how football is a game of inches, but the commercial, titled Chip Away, focuses more on the attention to detail that Jeep has exhibited on its updated flagship SUV.
Centering around the newest Grand Cherokee model, the luxurious $47,995 Summit trim level, the commercial shows off some of the hand-stitched leathers and real metal and wood accents found inside the cabin. Check out the new 60-second spot by scrolling below.