Jeep avec deux nouveautés à Francfort

La marque américaine Jeep profitera du prochain Salon de Francfort pour présenter au public européen les nouveaux Wrangler, Wrangler Unlimited et le nouveau Grand Cherokee SRT8.

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Jeep et Alex Bellini à la Los Angeles-New York Footrace 2011

La marque Jeep accompagne Alex Bellini dans son nouveau défi: une course de 5 000 km à travers les États-Unis!

Jeep est le Principal sponsor de la nouvelle aventure d'Alex Bellini. Le 19 juin, le sportif italien entreprendra un nouveau défi incroyable: il traversera les États-Unis en courant, de Los Angeles à New York, sur une distance totale de 5 000 km. Dès le 17 juin, 70 heures avant le décompte final, l'aventure d'Alex Bellini sera en ligne sur http://www.jeep-people.com/, le nouveau site internet consacré au monde de Jeep.

Pour affronter cette aventure dépassant les limites de l'endurance physique, Alex Bellini a choisi Jeep, qui célèbre cette année son 70e anniversaire, pour partenaire. La calandre à sept fentes d'une Jeep Wrangler Unlimited sera au côté d'Alex Bellini dans son aventure transaméricaine qui durera en tout 70 jours et comprendra 70 étapes, soit 70 km chaque jour.

En partenariat avec Jeep, Alex Bellini participera à la LA-NY Footrace 2011, la course transcontinentale organisée et présentée par l'ultra-marathonien Serge Girard dans le but de faire revivre le mythe de la première course à pied jamais organisée à travers les États-Unis, la Trans-American Footrace de 1928. Depuis que les pionniers ont mis le pied sur le sol américain, traverser le continent est un mythe qui fascine l'imagination collective. Dans l'histoire, seuls 244 athlètes ont traversé l'ensemble des États-Unis et seulement 124 coureurs ont terminé une course à travers le Continent.

La course se déroulera du 19 juin au 27 août, passant par des températures extrêmes, de la chaleur intense du désert du Nevada au froid du Nouveau-Mexique. Elle descendra jusqu'aux plaines de l'Oklahoma, passera par le Missouri et ses rivières, et traversera le Mississippi et l'Illinois pour rejoindre la Pennsylvanie et atteindre enfin les gratte-ciel de Big Apple.

Source & crédit photo: Jeep

Fiat achète encore des parts de Chrysler

Cela fait maintenant un an que Fiat détient une participation importante dans Chrysler. Mais les choses ne s'arrêtent pas là puisque pour la fin de cette année, le groupe italien voudrait atteindre une participation majoritaire de 51 % dans le capital du constructeur américain.

Fidèlement à ses plans, Fiat vient d'ailleurs d'acquérir 16 % supplémentaires (soit 46 % au total). Grâce à ces fonds italiens, le groupe Chrysler vient de terminer de rembourser le prêt accordé par les USA et le Canada pour sa sauvegarde. Pour Fiat, c'est un nouveau et grand pas vers son intégration au marché américain.

Pour l'instant, le succès de la marque est à mettre à l'actif de la 500, très populaire de l'autre côté de l'Atlantique. Fiat a même concocté une version spécifique de la 500 à destination de ce marché, comprenez : un peu plus spacieuse et surtout plus confortable.

La suite du plan prévoit de lancer Alfa Romeo dans le créneau premium-sportif sur le sol américain. Pendant ce temps-là , les gammes Chrysler et Dodge s'évanouissent chez nous, certains modèles étant remplacés par une version Fiat (le Dodge Journey devient Fiat Freemont) ou Lancia (la Chrysler 300C devient Lancia Thema, la 200 deviendra Flavia et le Grand Voyager deviendra... Voyager). Une opportunité de combler des vides dans les gammes du groupe italien mais cela se fait au détriment d'une perte de personalité pour Fiat et surtout pour Lancia qui nous avait habitué ici à un style tout en rondeur bien personnel, rien à voir avec les formes carrées typiques US de la 300 ou du Voyager...

Source & crédit photo: Fiat

L'alpiniste Stephan Siegrist reçoit une Jeep Wrangler

Alpiniste professionnel et ambassadeur de la marque Jeep, Stephan Siegrist effectue désormais ses déplacements avec une Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sahara Unlimited.

Aventure, liberté et indépendance: ces notions ne s'appliquent pas seulement à l'alpiniste de l'extrême qu'est Stephan Siegrist, mais elles conviennent aussi à la marque Jeep. Dès lors, quel véhicule conviendrait mieux à cet alpiniste professionnel qu'une Wrangler ? C'est ainsi que ce mardi 17 mai 2011, à Schlieren en Suisse, Stephan Siegrist a pris possession de sa nouvelle Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sahara Unlimited.

Son choix, il l'avait déjà fait en mars dernier avec Jeep Brand Country Manager Herbert Meyer, lors de sa visite au Salon de Genève. Ce modèle est quasiment taillé sur mesure pour cet alpiniste de renom et ce véhicule l'accompagnera tout au long de ses nombreux projets d'escalade.

"Pour moi, la Jeep Wrangler est le véhicule idéal. Tout comme moi-même, elle est capable de surmonter des situations extrêmes, loin des sentiers battus. De plus, la robustesse et l'agilité de la Jeep génère un sentiment de sécurité qui permet de maîtriser chaque situation", déclare ce Bernois de 38 ans originaire de l'Oberland.

Parmi les faits marquants de sa carrière il compte notamment des premières ascensions sur les sept continents. Stephan Siegrist maîtrise aussi bien l'escalade de grandes parois que la varappe mixte et sur glace. Le paralpinisme (basejump) et l'équilibrisme (highline) font aussi partie de ses aptitudes sportives.

Source & crédit photo: Jeep

Chrysler LLC to Shut Down Most Plants from May 4

In both statements released to the press and the firm's employees, Chrysler LLC's outgoing CEO Bob Nardelli announced that while in bankruptcy, most manufacturing plants of the automaker will be temporarily idled. The lockdown will commence on Monday, May 4 and continue for the whole duration of the bankruptcy procedure which is expected to be complete within the next 30 to 60 days.

According to Chrysler, during the bankruptcy period, the company's hourly employees will receive unemployment benefits, as well as supplemental pay that will amount to most of their base wages while company-sponsored healthcare and other insurance coverage will continue.

However, the question that arises with Chrysler's prolonged shutdown is what will happen to the company's U.S. suppliers, given the fact that General Motors has also announced that it will be idling 13 of its North American assembly plants for multiple weeks from May through to July.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8: 500HP+ BMW X5M Rival Rendered

The crew over at Jalopnik have published a speculative sketch along with some inside info on the high-performance SRT8 version of the all-new, Mercedes ML-based, 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was revealed at the New York Auto Show. There's no word if the sketch is official or not, so we'll keep this on our 'rumorville' list for now. Jalop's insider claims that the BMW X5M challenging 2012MY Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will receive a new 6.4-liter HEMI V8.

The new HEMI V8 that is also destined for the refreshed Charger and Challenger models in 2011, is said to produce anywhere between 505 and 525HP and around 510 lbs-ft of torque. As you'd expect, the SRT8 will also feature upgraded suspension components and brake system as well as a revised all-wheel drive system.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Jeep Recalling Thousands of Models on Various Issues

Jeep has issued three separate recalls on tens of thousands of models that include the Grand Cherokee, Commander, Liberty and Wrangler. The largest recall concerns 102,354 MY2001-2004 Grand Cherokees equipped with heated seats. According to Jeep, the front seat electric heater elements may work 'overtime', something that could potentially prove hazardous for your buttocks or even worse, start a fire. The firm's dealers will of course replace the heater elements free of charge.

The company also issued a recall on 42,469 MY 2002-2003 Liberty models (Cherokee in Europe) due to a problem with the front suspension upper control arm ball joint that may "experience a loss of lubrication", as stated by Jeep. This could lead to corrosion, accelerated wear, and quite possibly, separation while driving, which needless to say, is something that no owner would like to experience.

Jeep said that this particular recall concerns vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in salt belt states of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia , Wisconsin and the district of Columbia.

The third and final recall from Jeep is for 4,336 MY 2009 Grand Cherokee, Commander and Wrangler vehicles. The reason? Well, the driver's airbag wiring may be reversed on these models meaning the bag won't deploy in the event of a crash.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Video: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Highlights and Driving Shots

The latest evolution of Jeep's Grand Cherokee takes a stride towards crossover territory promising to offer significant improvements to on-road handling thanks to its Mercedes ML underpinnings that grace Jeep's flagship model with an all around independent suspension. In addition to the 5.7-liter V8 HEMI, the 2011 Grand Cherokee will also be offered with Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar engine that cranks out 280HP. Hit the jump to watch the first videos of the new Jeepthat made its world premiere at this week's NY Auto Show.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Live Photos of the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee from New York

We don't know about you, but the more we look at the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the more we're warming up to its exterior styling. Check out these live photos that were shot earlier today during the unveiling of the vehicle at the New York Auto Show and tell us what you think about Jeep's new proposal in the SUV segment by leaving us a comment below.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Chrysler Launches new Pentastar V6 Engine

Along with the world debut of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler also announced the introduction of an all-new line of V6 engines called 'Pentastar' at the New York Auto Show. The American automaker said that the new engine which will replace a total of seven V6 units found in various current-generation Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models, is the most advanced six-cylinder engine in the brand's history.

"Chrysler's all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine will offer our customers improved fuel economy, refinement and increased performance across the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicle lineup," said Frank Klegon, Executive Vice President—Product Development, Chrysler LLC. "At the same time, replacing seven current engines with one engine will result in increased flexibility, more efficient operations and significant cost savings to the company."

The Pentastar V6 will first be offered in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee producinge an output of 280HP at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm from a displacement of 3.6-liters. Chrysler supports that the new V6 offers an increase of 33% in horsepower and 11% bump in torque over its predecessor while providing an 11% fuel economy improvement.

The six-cylinder unit has been designed to run on regular gasoline, offering around 10 percent reduction in fuel cost compared with premium fueled engines. Furthermore, Chrysler said that the V6 is also flex fuel capable meaning that it can run on E85 fuel without any degradation in performance or emissions.

Production of the new V6 will take place at the firm's Trenton Engine South Plant in Michigan while a new facility in Saltillo, Mexico, will also manufacture the engine for the 2012 model year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Chrysler 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve Pentastar V-6 Technical Specs

• Displacement: 3.6 liters
  
• Bore x stroke: 96 x 83 mm
  
• Valve train system: Double-overhead cam with roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. Dual independent cam-torque actuated phasers
  
• Fuel injection: Multi-point port fuel injection
  
• Construction: High-pressure die-cast aluminum cylinder block and semi-permanent mold aluminum cylinder head
  
• Maximum engine speed: 7200 rpm
  
• Fuel requirement: E85 (Ethanol) or unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2
  
• Emission capability: PZEV

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Mercedes ML Based SUV Breaks Cover

Bigger with 'softer', more-crossover-like looks and based on the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz ML; this is the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that was unveiled early in the morning ahead of its programmed world debut at the New York Auto Show. From all the above we're pretty sure that the only thing most of you will hold is that, despite the fact the Daimler and Chrysler have parted ways a long time now, the new Grand Cherokee is built on a rear-wheel-drive unibody platform sharing the same underpinnings as the Mercedes-Benz ML.

The new Grand Cherokee rides on a 114.8-inch wheelbase which is 5.3 inches longer than the model it replaces and contributes to an overall vehicle length that is 1.8 inches longer than the prior model. Furthermore, the SUV is also 3 inches wider which should it make it more spacious for passengers and their belongings.

In terms of design, Jeep refined the Grand Cherokee which now looks more like a modern crossover and less like a traditional SUV. Same goes for the interior that has been redesigned from the ground up with Jeep promising soft-touch materials all around.

Underneath the metal, Jeep claims that the new (M-Class) body structure's torsional stiffness is 146 percent stiffer than the outgoing Grand Cherokee and stiffer than the BMW X5 and Toyota Highlander.

Furthermore, the new model is equipped with an all-new independent front and rear suspension that replaces the current Grand Cherokee's live axle setup at the rear. Apart from the apparent benefits in handling, the new rear suspension allows the spare tire to be stored inside the vehicle as opposed to underneath.

The Grand Cherokee will also be available with the new Quadra-Lift air suspension system that features five height settings, one of which provides an additional 3 inches of height for 11.1 inches of ground clearance.

In addition to the Quadra-Lift air suspension, the Grand Cherokee also gets an all-new Selec-Terrain traction control system that electronically coordinates up to 12 different powertrain, braking and suspension systems, including throttle control, transmission shift, transfer case, Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Jeep offers three different 4x4 systems for the new Grand Cherokee. The basic Quadra-Trac I delivers full-time four-wheel drive without any switches or levers to pull, while the Quadra-Trac II offers a two-speed transfer case and the ability to route as much as 100 percent of available torque to the axle with the most traction. Finally, the Quadra-Drive II adds a rear Electronic Limited-Slip Differential (ELSD) that instantly detects tire slip and distributes engine torque to tires with traction. The Selec-Terrain that we mentioned before is standard with Quadra Trac II and Quadra Drive II.

In North America, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available with two engines, a new flexible fuel 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 280 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm) at 4,800 rpm and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 360 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque (520 Nm) at 4,250 rpm. The V6 unit is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission while the V8 HEMI to a multi-speed automatic transmission.

In Europe and other international markets, the new Grand Cherokee will also be offered with diesel engine(s).

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com