Jeep News & Rumors
•Could it be true that the take-rate of the last-gen diesel'd Grand Cherokee was around 95 percent in Canada? That makes us think that the new-gen Grand will for sure get a diesel in North America, since Canada's emissions laws are just as tough as the U.S.'s. So, will it get the new Fiat version or the M-Class 3.0L Bluetec, since the Grand and M-Class share platform parts?
•More Grand news: '11 GC's power figures updated for your pleasure: The new 3.6L V-6 will make 290 hp (originally estimated at 280 ponies).
•Hey, even more Grand news: Pricing is in, with the Laredo 4x4 starting at $32,995, the Limited 4x4 at $39,995, and the Overland at $42,995.
•Let's keep that GC momentum going: Our favorite crashers, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, conducted rollover testing on the '11 Grand and '10 Liberty, evaluating roof strength. Both earned good ratings, but the Grand also got the IIHS Top Safety Pick award.
•Bonus '11 Grand item: The Jefferson North (Detroit) Assembly Plant got a makeover to coincide with the new GC. The 3-million-square-foot JNAP has produced the Grand since day one 1992, and part of its redo included a Silkwood-worthy shower, paint, expanding and replacing the existing body shop, a new metrology center, new employee training, and other important stuff to ensure that the Grand is built with love.
•Not an '11 Grand item: Remember ages ago when we told you someone bought an '00 Grand Cherokee that had previously belonged to President Obama and had hoped to sell it for beaucoup bucks? It went for $26,437.50 at auction. "I would have been willing to pay over $100,000 for it," the highest bidder told The Wall Street Journal. "Mmmkay," the highest-ranking staffer said in a Jp meeting.
•The fifth annual Walter P. Chrysler Museum Jeep cruise night will be held August 4. Food, music, vehicle displays, awards, and more; get info at wpchryslermuseum.org.
•River Raider Viper V-10-powered Raider RT JK to race Baja? Bring it, please.
•There's been a recall of more than 288,000 '06-'10 Wranglers. There's worry that the inner fender liners and corresponding brake lines could rub together, causing wear and resulting in brake fluid leaks. There's also been a voluntary recall of about 90 '07 Jeep Patriots with the auto trans due to a sticking gas pedal. The pedals were made by the same supplier Toyota used for its infamous ones.
•Jeep, not a Jeep: China's Xingyue Group Co.'s Jeepzter looked too much like the Hurricane concept, so Chrysler filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission, according to BusinessWeek. A trademark-infringement lawsuit was also filed against three companies selling Jeepzters in the U.S. because the grille is very Wrangler.
Employee Quote of the Month
"Well, maybe because you did it while wearing only your Donald Duck boxer shorts, fuzzy Fozzy Bear bathroom slippers, and propeller beanie. That's probably why they were staring, laughing, and shooting video."
-Tech Editor Hazel commenting on one of Editor Cappa's blog posts on jpmagazine.com. Want to know what they're talking about? Then read the blogs, people. They're for you.
Quote Without Story"
"[It's the] basis on which we'll try to rebuild the Jeep brand on a global scale. It is the symbol of Jeep."
-Chrysler's Sergio Marchionne on the new Grand Cherokee to Automotive News. No pressure, new Grand Cherokee
Father-and-son McMillin BFG...
Father-and-son McMillin BFG team.
•BFGoodrich has been having a good month or two: It won at the SCORE Baja 500 (for a total of 27 wins) and the SCORE Baja 1000 (23). This was its 35th year competing in Baja. Another bit of boasting: It has been inducted into the Horsepower Ranch Wall of Fame.
•Here's why activism is good-the National Off-Road Association partnered with Skyjacker and 4Wheel Drive Hardware to bring awareness to land-use/access issues. As part of that, a $1,000 Skyjacker gift card was up for grabs to anyone who became a free supporter of NORA. Norman Mitchell (and his '09 Wrangler) scored it.
•Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. donated a 100-year-old lifeboat from the Akron airship to the Smithsonian. The Akron was built in 1911, but lost at sea in 1912 during a transatlantic crossing, with the lifeboat being the only major item recovered. It's been in storage.
•The '11 GMC Sierra Denali 2500 HD is available in two-wheel drive.
•Nitto's also gone interactive: The nittotire.com/tireselector system will help you pick what you need based on vehicle type and driving preferences. You can also do it by tire size(s).
•The 10,000th Atlas transfer case has been manufactured by Advance Adapters.