Jeep Cherokee Classic 2000,99,98,97 on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Toledo continues fight for Jeep Wrangler production, despite mayor's death

Where will the next-generation Jeep Wrangler be built? That's an open question, but it's one that the city of Toledo, OH desperately wants to be the answer to. The city suffered a major blow, though, with the death of Mayor Michael Collins earlier this month. Collins had been the city's biggest champion during talks with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, before suffering a fatal heart attack on Feb. 6. But Collins' tragic death isn't dampening the city's desire to carry on as the home of the Wrangler. "The mayor's passing is tragic. But on Monday, when I came to work, I knew exactly what I needed to do and exactly what needed to be done," the city's director of development, Matt Sapara, told the Detroit Free Press. According to the Freep, Sapara said Toledo and the state of Ohio have delivered an outline of a development plan that would give FCA the ability to buy an extra 100 acres to expand the factory. This is to help accommodate FCA's targeted output of 300,000 to 350,000 next-generation Wranglers, up from the 240,000 the factory can make now. "Our target in the proposal is to provide a way to increase the production capacity to a number that allows Fiat Chrysler to meet its business model," Sapara told the Freep, adding that the land could be available later this summer. FCA, meanwhile, has shown a somewhat ambivalent attitude towards Toledo production, with CEO Sergio Marchionne openly discussing the pros and cons of continuing to build the Wrangler south of the Michigan border. "We are going to take a very hard look at this without ignoring what these guys have done," Marchionne told the Free Press at last month's Detroit Auto Show, adding that he'd like to keep production there, provided the cost of retooling is comparable to relocating to another facility. Related Video:

Europe gets Jeep Wrangler Polar limited edition

Jeep will be bringing an all-new, limited-edition model to the European market called the Wrangler Polar. Based on the Wrangler Sahara and set to make its debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Wrangler Polar sports new Hyrdro Blue paint, gloss black 18-inch wheels, a body-color hardtop, and the regular mix of Mopar styling accessories. Billet Silver Metallic and Bright White are available for those that don't dig the glossy blue, while a two-door variant will be available in addition to the four-door pictured above.
The Polar's interior features similar tweaks; Pearl White contrast stitching can be found on both the seats and steering wheel, while ceramic White bezels and other accents give a nice contrasting look to the cabin.
Underhood sits an engine that should make American Wrangler enthusiasts weep - a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder turbodiesel. With 200 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque channeled through a five-speed automatic transmission, the Wrangler Polar should handle itself just fine on normal roads. British buyers will also be able to select the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. For rougher stuff, Dana axles can be found front and rear (Dana 30 up front and Dana 44 in back), while the Command-Trac four-wheel-drive system and its two-speed transfer case should be enough for when the roads disappear.

Jeepster name may be used for Fiat-based baby Jeep

In 1948, Willys-Overland, the forbearers of Jeep, built a vehicle called the Jeepster. It was a funky little thing, designed as a mix of the more rugged Jeeps that came before with what was then a modern car, which arguably makes it the world's first crossover. The name was later revived from 1966 to 1972, which means for Jeep enthusiasts, it has some history.
Now, the modern Jeep brand may revive the Jeepster name for a new product, likely based on Fiat bones, that will slot in at the bottom of the brand's range underneath the soon-to-depart Compass and Patriot. The report comes from Australia's Drive, which cites a dealer source that has seen the vehicle.
That same dealer confirmed there is a link between the Jeepster and the rumored Fiat 500X, and that the former will be available in both front and all-wheel-drive variants. The source also claims both gas and diesel engines will be available, although as this is an Aussie site, we shouldn't take that to mean we'll get a diesel Jeepster in the US.