2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited on 2040-cars

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Baby Jeep to join Renegade in FCA's plan for new Italian-built models

FCA is boosting its European production, introducing new models that will be built in currently under-utilized manufacturing facilities. Among the new models is a new small Jeep, smaller than the current Renegade, as Automotive News reports. FCA's Mike Manley mentioned the entry-level Jeep model earlier this year, also saying that the vehicle is targeted to European and possibly Latin American customers; in the summer, Autocar placed the launch date in 2022. The new "baby" Jeep would be made in the same factory in Pomigliano, Italy, as the small Fiat Panda, which is a top seller in Italy. The current generation Panda was introduced in 2011; if it gets a replacement in 2022, it could possibly share a platform with the Jeep model — or, the Jeep could be an eventual outright replacement for the Panda. One of Fiat's earlier core products, the Punto hatchback, was canned in August, and that production capacity will be used to make the Jeep Compass instead, at the Renegade-producing Melfi factory in southern Italy. The Compass has not previously been built in Europe. The Fiat model portfolio would be shrunk to just the 500 model family and the Panda — the 500 would also be FCA's key electric vehicle offered in Europe. It is not yet clear whether the electric 500 would be made in Turin, Italy, or in Poland; Turin might also get a Giardiniera-badged wagon version of the refreshed 500. As for the Alfa Romeo brand, it is set to gain an even bigger SUV model than the Stelvio, based on the Maserati Levante's platform. The Levante's sales have suffered recently in China, but Maserati does have light in the horizon: The Alfieri 2+2 grand tourer is still in the cards, with a launch expected for 2020 and both a convertible and an electrified version planned to follow. The Alfieri would be made in Modena, Italy, according to Automotive News' sources. None of these plans namedrop the storied Lancia brand, which has been shrunk to just the Ypsilon hatchback, based on the same platform as the current 500 and Panda. Despite that, the Ypsilon was again the second-bestselling car in Italy after the Panda in October. It is unlikely that FCA will be able to ignore this, but it is just as unlikely that any development money will be afforded to come up with a replacement for the Ypsilon, which is as similarly old as the Panda. Perhaps official announcements expected on Thursday will also clarify what will happen to Lancia.

Jeep Cherokee joins Altitude trim line

Jeep fans spoke up last year by naming the Altitude trim level, and the automaker rewarded them with an assortment of cool Jeeps sporting a sinister, blacked-out appearance. Joining the ranks of Jeep models offering an Altitude trim level is the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, and this might be the best looking of the new Cherokees - including the Trailhawk.
Like the previous versions of this model, the 2014 Cherokee Altitude adds black wheels and exterior trim and molding, and it's only offered in four colors: black, silver, white and granite (shown above). You definitely have to love the look of the black accents since the Altitude raises the Cherokee's price by $2,000 to a starting MSRP of $24,995 (not including destination). Jeep says that the 2014 Cherokee Altitude is a limited-edition model, but there is no mention of any specific production figures.
Joining the new Cherokee Altitude are the updated versions of the Grand Cherokee Altitude and Wrangler Altitude with similar limited color combinations and pricier MSRPs starting at $35,290 and $31,595, respectively. These three new Altitude models will go on sale this spring joining the Compass Altitude and Patriot Altitude, which are on sale now. Scroll down for more info on the updated 2014 Jeep Altitude lineup.

Jeep recalls 228k Cherokees over airbag deployment fears

Jeep is recalling an estimated 228,181 examples of the 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokee worldwide because the airbags can inadvertently deploy in some situations. Specifically, the campaign covers 168,092 vehicles in the US, 19,557 in Canada, 4,133 in Mexico and 36,399 outside of North America. According to Jeep, the problem occurs when drivers execute extremely hard handling maneuvers and upset the vehicle's balance, which causes the side-curtain and seat-mounted side airbags to deploy. "The air-bag systems, sensing potential rollovers, automatically activated," according to the automaker's announcement. While this occurred in "a small number" of cases, according to Jeep, the problem caused no reported injuries or accidents. To fix the fault, the company will issue a software update to recalibrate the bags' deployment. Statement: Restraint-System Software Upgrade February 2, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is launching a global recall of an estimated 228,181 SUVs to upgrade software governing side-curtain and seat-mounted side air bags. The action follows an investigation by FCA US engineers after a small number of inadvertent deployments involving drivers who executed extreme maneuvers. These maneuvers dramatically changed the vehicles' angle of operation, relative to the ground. The air-bag systems, sensing potential rollovers, automatically activated. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The software upgrade will recalibrate the threshold for deployment and the vehicles will remain compliant with all applicable safety regulations. Affected are certain 2014 and 2015 Jeep Cherokees. Estimated volumes by market are as follows: 168,092 in the U.S.; 19,557 in Canada; 4,133 in Mexico and 36,399 outside the NAFTA region. The Company will notify affected customers. Software will be available at that time. Customers with additional concerns or questions may call 1-800-853-1403. Featured Gallery 2015 Jeep Cherokee View 41 Photos News Source: FCA USImage Credit: Jeep Recalls Jeep Safety Crossover