Industry News
* Kumho's new ECSTA DX Aroma is a "fragrance" tire. Instead of the rubber smell, it's lavender. The next batch of the limited models will reek of-sorry, "be scented"-orange or jasmine. Passenger-car-sizes only. Sorry, Editor Cappa, that means you're still stuck misting the Jeep tires manually with your Spirit Cologne for Men by Antonio Banderas.
Jeep News & Rumors
* Want to know what the cheapest vehicle is in Canada with standard Electronic Stability Program? After losing, oh, no seconds of sleep searching for that answer, we were told that it's the Patriot.
*Is Mopar going to offer performance parts for the Jeep lineup?
* Are Mopar and Jeep going desert racing? They may be looking for a driver or a team-or may have already found it.
* Looks like '07 Grand Cherokees, Libertys, Compasses, and Wranglers are among those being voluntarily recalled (a total of 62,369 Chrysler Group vehicles are) to reprogram a brake-system ECU computer in order to avoid an instrument-panel warning, followed by loss of ABS, traction control, speedo, and, possibly, your lunch.
* Trafficmaster says that 15 million drivers are stressed while driving-25 percent said it's more stressful than work or meeting in-laws. Two percent say working at Jp is worse.
* Mopar's iPod integration kits have expanded (Compass, Patriot, Grand, and Commander). Sounds like you might have to start buying the whole iTunes song now.