1998 Jeep Wrangler on 2040-cars

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Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk headlines 2017 model year updates

If the photos below look familiar, it's because we saw them last week. Yes, the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk is real, and it's a welcome (and predictable) addition to the Jeep family. It boasts rugged good looks and plenty of capability, and debuts this week at the New York Auto Show. Standard Trailhawk equipment includes Jeep's Quadra-Drive II four-wheel-drive system, a revised air suspension (specifically for Trailhawk, we're told), skid plates, the black hood decal, and cute little red tow hooks. It's also got an ever-so-slightly different front fascia, taken right from the 2012 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk Moab concept. Buyers can choose from 18- or 20-inch wheels. Looking for something a bit more posh? Try the Summit, pictured below, with its 20-inch polished wheels, LED foglights, and full-wrap Laguna leather interior. It's loaded to the gills with every available Grand Cherokee option, and certainly sounds like one seriously nice SUV. View 15 Photos What's great is that both Trailhawk and Summit models can be had with three different engines. The standard powerplant is Chrysler's 295-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6, but the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 and 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 are also available. (We love the idea of a Trailhawk with the diesel, by the way.) Both models go on sale this fall. Read more about both in the press blast below. Jeep Grand Cherokee: Even More Capability and Luxury for the Most-awarded SUV Ever - Jeep Brand Introduces New 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Summit Models at the New York International Auto Show - New Trailhawk model expands Jeep® Grand Cherokee lineup with most capable version ever produced - Grand Cherokee Summit models boast new, even more luxurious hand-crafted leather interior, new appearance and added standard premium features Both new Grand Cherokee models arrive in Jeep showrooms in late summer March 23, 2016 , New York - Already the most awarded SUV ever, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is about to become even more capable and even more luxurious. At the New York International Auto Show today, the Jeep brand expanded its Grand Cherokee lineup with the introduction of a new Trailhawk model – the most capable factory-produced Grand Cherokee ever. The brand also introduced the 2017 Grand Cherokee Summit, bringing a new exterior appearance, a plush new interior and even more standard premium features to consumers looking for the ultimate premium full-size SUV.

FCA's Pentastar V6 gets more power, efficiency for 2016

Already a vital member of FCA's powertrain lineup, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is receiving major efficiency improvements for 2016. Thanks to a massive amount of new tech attached to the mill, fuel economy is up six percent, and torque below 3,000 rpm jumps nearly 15 percent. The updates arrive first in the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee, but they should proliferate to other models eventually. At least in the Grand Cherokee, the tweaks push power up five horsepower to 295 ponies. FCA's engineers went through the Pentastar from top to bottom to eke out as much efficiency as possible. For example, there's now a two-speed variable-valve lift system that can run in low- or high-lift modes. This upgrade is responsible for 2.7-percent better economy, the company claims. A new intake manifold with longer runners and updated variable-valve times also helps boost the torque output. Further improvements come from pushing the compression ratio to 11.3:1, from 10.2:1 before. Perhaps most impressive is that despite all of the innovations, the latest Pentastar actually weighs four pounds less than the current version. Beyond the Pentastar improvements, all of the FCA US gasoline engines, except for the Viper's 8.4-liter V10, will be E15-compatible for 2016. The company says that it wants to be ready for the higher ethanol content fuel's greater use in the near future.

Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler wants mountains, not a stage

We've said it before and we'll say it again - while we usually grow tired of the endless barrage of special edition vehicles, that isn't the case with the Jeep Wrangler. Every unique model we encounter seems cooler than the one before it, and this Willys Wheeler Edition is no exception.
The Willys Wheeler package is sort of a throwback to early Jeep CJ models, and wears "Willys" stickers on the hood. There's also a gloss black grille, rock rails to protect the side sills, and unique 17-inch black wheels wrapped in meaty BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain tires. For proper off-road prowess, this special edition uses a Dana 44 rear axle with a limited-slip differential and a 3.73 final drive ratio.
Look for the Willys edition to hit dealerships early next year, starting at $25,795 for the two-door version and $29,595 for the four-door. Feel free to read all about it in the press release below.