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Chrysler has been targeted by the Center for Auto Safety (a consumer advocate group founded by outspoken lawyer Ralph Nader – the same one that threw the book at Chevy's Corvair in the 1960s), about fires resulting from alleged fuel tank defects on Jeep models.
The CAS probe focuses on the original 1993-98 ZJ and second generation 1999-04 WJ Jeep Grand Cherokees and the group claims that the location of the fuel tank on these models and the lack of shielding leads to rupture in the event of rear end collisions. Since the Grand Cherokee was introduced to the market in 1992, there have been 44 recorded crashes relating to fire, of which 55 people were killed.
The CAS claims that 13 of these deaths were the result of rear end collisions. However, the center also said that these post-crash fires, on their own do not establish a manufacturing defect with the vehicles, hence further investigation is needed.
Noted Michael Palese, a spokesperson for Chrysler, "our company is cooperating fully with the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration in this investigation." He also stated that it is just that, "an investigation, not a recall."
Several years ahead of a major overhaul for all Chrysler brand products, all models are getting tweaks to help keep them competitive in the marketplace. The latest model do go under the knife is the Jeep Wrangler (and Wrangler Unlimited), getting an updated interior and a new body-colored hard top as an option for Sahara trim models.
Included in the interior update is a new steering wheel, center stack, instrument panel and large rear windows to improve visibility. There's also a locking console, a new armrest and an overall improvement in the use of materials in the cabin. New features include a USB interface and Bluetooth streaming audio. Jeep also increased the sound deadening to help keep out road noise.
New colors will be available for the 2011 model year as well, which include Bright White, Cosmos Blue, Deep Cherry Red, Detonator Yellow, and Sahara Tan.
Check out all the pics (especially the interior ones) at the link below.
Chrysler has been known for organizing public participation events at various locations across the U.S. and Canada. Now it's set to launch another, dubbed the Jeep Rocks & Road Tour, which will hit 11 different venues across the United States from July 16 through October 31st this year.
The tour is designed "to provide our current and potential customers with an adventurous experience that is exclusive to the Jeep brand," according to Jeep CEO Mike Manley.
At each location, the tour will incorporate on and off-road driving tests, with participants getting time behind the wheel of 2011 Jeep models, including the Wrangler, Patriot and new Grand Cherokee. Trained instructors will be on hand for the off-road sections, which will including multiple types of road surfaces, rocky trails and log crossings. In addition to sampling the latest Jeep offerings, owners of existing models will also get a chance to drive their own vehicles at these events in the 'Jeep Owner's playground.' The tour kicks off at the Syracuse, New York Nationals (one of the largest car shows in the North East) on July 16th, with stops in Columbus, Ohio; Rockford, Illinois; Indianapolis; Boston; Omaha, Nebraska; Martinsburg, West Virginia; Virgina Beach; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Charlotte, North Carolina and Fort Worth, Texas. The Jeep Rocks & Road tour is free to those that pre-register for the event, so long as they bring their receipt with them on the day.
It's a sad day for diesel truck lovers. Jeep has confirmed that it will not offer a diesel engine in the new 2011 Grand Cherokee.
Utility vehicles and small compact cars are about the only places in the U.S. market where diesel vehicles have had any success and yet Jeep has cut the Mercedes-sourced 3.0-liter V6 that it offered on the previous-gen Grand Cherokee. "The business case has to make sense," said Grand Cherokee chief engineer Phil Jansen at a recent press event, commenting that the urea aftertreatment system required to make the engine pass emissions must comply with emissions standards in all 50 states. More difficult than making the system meet emission standards, however, is getting customers to pay for it, with the cost of such an aftertreatment system certain to drive diesel Grand Cherokee pricing to a point where it would no longer be considered by buyers.
Buyers for the diesel option were already scarce, making up just 8 percent of all Grand Cherokee models last year.
As to whether Jeep would consider bringing the diesel back, Jansen said it would be something they would look at once diesel luxury SUV sales made up 15 to 20 percent of the market. In other words… not any time soon.
The folks at Jeep might not admit it yet, but they don't have to any more. That's right, an all-new SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee is on its way.
Recent spy photos show a version of the 2011 Grand Cherokee sporting a covered font fascia that is noticeably lower than the standard one. Plus, the big SUV has wider fenders, larger wheels and a lowered ride height.
As for what's under the hood, the new SRT8 model it tipped to get Chrysler's larger 6.4-liter Hemi V8, making 480-hp and 460 ft-lbs of torque – just like in the upcoming Challenger SRT8. Also set to be included is a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Combined with much-improved luxury interiors, perhaps Jeep will make good on its promise to give the BMW X5 M a run for its money.
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