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Monthly Archives: March 2018

Many manufacturers have their traditions, most of which are waiting a decade or so and sticking a birthday badge on an otherwise unchanged model. But, being a brand that oozes off-road smarts, Jeep do things a bit differently.

They host an annual Moab Easter Jeep Safari, where off-road nuts congregate for a week of technical driving, breath-taking views and endless ‘my Jeep is bigger than yours’ banter.

And to celebrate this, Jeep produces a batch of concepts each year that, with the help of Mopar, usually include badass, retro, or hard-core versions of the current line-up. This year is no different. And without further ado, here is a run through of the offering for 2018:

 

Jeep 4SPEED

  • Light – bonnet, fender flares and rear tub all made of lightweight carbon fibre, whilst other bodywork is light and minimal.
  • Higher ride height – the 4SPEED sits two inches higher than a stock Wrangler.
  • Better angles – overall length has been shortened by 22-inches(!), without changing the wheelbase, which means vastly improved approach and departure angles!
  • New engine – the 4SPEED showcases the latest 2.0-litre turbocharged straight-four unit from the Wrangler range, alongside an eight-speed auto ‘box.
  • Custom interior – the instrument panel has been revamped for the concept, rear seats removed and the floor bedlined and floor is aluminium plated.

 

Jeep Sandstorm

  • Baja inspired – vented carbon fibre hood, high clearance arches all round, chopped rear doors, plus the lay-down spare among the roll cage gives the Sandstorm that Baja image. It also has a race-style fuel filler, race lights and an on-board air compressor. There’s also low bucket seats, a 7-inch GPS system and switches for an air-compressor and axle lockers.
  • Baja ready – an extreme-duty suspension system is prepared for dune bashing and highway cruising; custom coilovers and bypass shocks means 14-inches of front travel and 18-inches at the back. High clearance front and rear tube bumpers and modified rock rails mean it’s tough.
  • Longer wheelbase – the front axle has been moved forward four-inches with a heavy-duty long arm four-link suspension and track bar, whilst the rear has been moved back half as much and utilises a triangulated trailing arm four-link setup.
  • Keep on rolling – heavy duty Dynatrac 60 axles with a 5.68 gear ratio, plus 17-inch beadlock wheels and 39.5-inch BFG Krawler tyres mean the Sandstorm should be unstoppable.
  • Powerful engine – the concept gets a Mopar tuned 6.4-litre V8, with a six-speed manual transmission.

Jeep B-Ute

  • Customised for adventure – bonnet has heat extractors, wider flares are in place alongside a custom grille and individual front and rear fascias.
  • Jeep Performance Parts – a 1.5-inch lift kit, roof rack and rock rails are added from the JPP catalogue. 17-inch wheels are offset by 30mm and wrapped in BFG Baja Champions.
  • Cool interior – customised seats, with ‘mineral’ inserts, join a carbonite finished shifter and dash trimmings, plus a Molle system on the back of the front seats and Mopar all-weather floor mats.
  • B-rUte of an engine – the 2.4-litre Tigershark engine from the Jeep line-up joins a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Jeep Wagoneer Roadtrip

  • Nostalgic – the Wagoneer Roadtrip concept is inspired by the 1965 Jeep Wagoneer
  • Mechanically modern –A five-inch increase in the wheelbase comes alongside wider track. The boxed frame has been strengthened, and Dana 44 front and rear axles with lockers, four-link suspension with coilover springs means the Wagoneer can go further than its looks would suggest. It’s 17-inch wheels are graced with BFG Mud-Terrains.
  • Original interiors – the front and rear bench seats, door panels, kick and rear panels are all original and trimmed in oxblood leather. A wicker headline keeps the interior light, and a custom cooler styled on period luggage and a tool box created from the original engine add practicality that oozes cool.
  • Obviously, a V8 – 5.7-litres worth, too. And being the first 4×4 fitted with an auto box, this concept gets a four-speed.

Nacho Jeep

The Nacho Jeep is a ‘rolling catalogue’. It shows people what they could get if they pillaged the JPP range from Mopar and stuck it all to a Wrangler Rubicon. So, despite any tortilla-themed jokes, it could be yours. Here’s what’s on it:

  • Hood with standard JPP graphic, that accommodates cold-air intake.
  • Satin black Mopar grille.
  • Rubicon bumpers with Warn winch kit.
  • Magnetti Marelli LEDs situated on A-pillar and brush guard, plus Automotive Lighting LED header lights on wind shield.
  • Rear LED off-road scouting lights (red -stop; amber – 1-3mph; green -3-25mph) and floodlight.
  • 2-inch lift kit.
  • 5-inch diameter aluminium body shocks.
  • 37-inch tyres wrapped around 17-inch beadlock rims.
  • Fortified rock rails.
  • Jeep embossed grab handles.
  • Spare tyre tailgate reinforced hinge.
  • Black fuel door.
  • Black Katzkin leather seats, with embossed Jeep grille.
  • Satin finish on the wheel is the ONLY feature of the Nacho that isn’t available on production Wrangler.

Jeep Jeepster

  • Two-tone – a JPP enhanced concept that evokes the image of the 1966 Jeepster through a Wrangler Rubicon. It’s also got two-tone paint like the classic.
  • New meets old – styling may mirror a past hero, but the bonnet, snorkel, bumpers, LED lights and fog lamps are all a mix of JPP stock and production options.
  • Modern capability – a 2-inch lift kit and 2.5-inch diameter coil body shocks, plus the 37-inch BFG KO2 tyres ensure contemporary off-road ability.
  • Concept roll cage – non-production tubular roll cage replaces the sports bar, and has an integrated spare tyre carrier on board, too. The interior isn’t all utilitarian, with Katzin leather seating adorned in matching red trim.
  • Storage packs – with the spare tyre inside, Jeep saw the opportunity for concept exterior storage. The split design allows for a rear-view camera, and rear mounted storage racks, and the rock step is a combination of rock rails and side steps.

 

Jeep J-Wagon

  • ‘Premium-styled’ – again utilising the extensive JPP range, the J-Wagon is a luxurious take on a customised Wrangler Sahara.
  • Urban vibe – the non-production paint is called ‘Warm Neutral Grey’ (…), tinted windows and Brass Monkey touches across the exterior add to the street appeal, as do the black accents from the JPP vault.
  • Still capable – 5-inch LED lights will illuminate any trail, plus black concept rock rails and roof racks add to practicality and the image. The tailgate mounted spare tyre hinge is reinforced and is equipped with a high mounted stop light.
  • Luxury interior – camel-coloured Katzkin seats feature dark brown piping, whilst the interior trimmings are given the Brass Monkey treatment to match the exterior.

 

Mitsubishi have added a new special edition to the L200 line-up – the SVP Barbarian II.

The L200 gets the Special Vehicle Projects makeover for the second time, with a duo of two-tone colourways. The SVP Barbarian II will come in pearlescent Diamond Black or Atlantic Grey, with details on both picked out in a metallic orange. Only 250 will enter production, with half of them in each base colour. Custom black and orange 17″ alloys and extended wheel arches and SVP grille further differentiate the Barbarian from other L200s.

The dark interior also features striking orange detailing, with each of the SVPs getting their production number etched into the headrests. Standard equipment includes the SDA infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers, bluetooth connectivity, xenon headlights with LED running lights, cruise control and reversing camera.

Barbarians will get the 2.4-litre, all-aluminium turbodiesel unit with 4WD and the choice of a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic gearbox.

The L200 SVP Barbarian II is available to order now, in both colours, with prices starting at £29,830.

Kia’s Sportage has reached five million global sales.

The first generation Sportage went on sale 25 years ago, and over it’s production sold over half a million units. Following that the second-gen SUV went on to sell over 1.2million units, and after another revision the Sportage reached a similar figure in just four years.

The current fourth-generation Sportage has reached the million milestone after being on sale for less than two and a half years, and in January tipped the lifetime global figures over five million.

 

Mopar, the servicing and customer care division of Fiat-Chrysler has announced their Auto Service Finance initiative. Following research that revealed more than half of motorists in the UK can’t afford a bill of £500 for a repair upfront.

Jeep, Fiat, Dodge and Alfa Romeo drivers can get genuine parts from the Mopar UK network and can apply for six months of interest free instalments. The Auto Service Finance can be used to cover costs for repairs, service contracts, accident damage and accessories.

The latest generation of the Range Rover Sport SVR has set a new record on the Tianmen Road in China. The sports SUV was piloted by Jaguar Panasonic Racing’s reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung for the mountainous ascent, which set the time 9 minutes and 51 seconds on the 11.3km road.

The record is unofficial, however, but beats the previous best time over the 99 turn run – which was set by a Ferrari 458 Italia in 2016 – by forty seconds.

The new SVR boats a 567bhp supercharged V8, that produces 516lbf.ft. It reaches 60mph from a standstill in 4.3 seconds and at top speed will reach 174mph.

Work has also been done on the chassis, altering the damping hardware to create more mid-corner grip and body control. These were changes that helped Tung in the record run.

‘I am used to the high speeds of racing but this was even more demanding. Maintaining concentration was the biggest challenge as the road twists and turns constantly, with huge drop-offs to the side. The consequences of getting it wrong would have been really serious so I focused on establishing a rhythm and the Range Rover Sport SVR made this easy – it may be an SUV but it has the performance and agility of a supercar.’

Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations have given the SVR lighter, custom seats, and a redesigned front bumper offers more brake and engine cooling. A new carbon fibre bonnet is also a new addition on the SVR, which is priced from £99,680.

Romanian manufacturer Dacia has updated its flagship Duster model with two new trim options.

The new Air trim has DAB radio, bluetooth connectivity, air-con and front electric windows as standard, and has a starting price of £10,995.

It’s second new trim, Nav+, includes everything on the Air spec Duster, but adds a 7″ touchscreen multimedia system, rear-parking sensors, 16″ alloy wheels and full electric windows. It also has a trip computer and a leather steering wheel.

There are three engine choices across the Duster range, with a 1.6 petrol available with Access and Air trim lines. The range-topping Nav+ is available with a choice of a 1.2 petrol and a 1.5-litre turbo diesel.

With the new Nav+ trim starting at £13,095, the Duster retains its bargain pricing, whilst the new trim adds more sophistication.

All Duster’s are available with 4WD, and are available for order now, with first deliveries pencilled in for April this year.

Peugeot have shown an adventure concept version of their Rifter. The Rifter 4×4 Concept is kitted out for overland adventures and unadulterated exploration.

The grey exterior with yellow accents adds a sporty feel to the seven seater, and there’s an interior to match. Seating has black alcantara inserts and contrasting bold yellow stitching throughout.

Working with Dangel, Peugeot have given the concept the four-wheel drive referenced in its name. It has selectable 4WD and the rear axle is lockable. The concept gets the 1.5-litre BlueHDi 130 engine and a six-speed manual transmission.

To make the little adventure wagon more, well, adventurey, the concept has an Autohome designed Overland roof tent, complete with simple assembly and a ready-to-go mattress.

For routes where the Rifter cannot fit, or when you want to feel the wind in your hair, the concept is accompanied by a Peugeot eM02 FS Powertube MTB. The electric mountain bike is a preview of the next generation of Lion eBikes, and has a double suspension and a battery concealed within the frame.

The concept poses a fresh and active approach to overland and off-road travel.

 

Do you like the idea? Let us know in the comments.

The ever-popular Nissan Juke has been refreshed for 2018.

Among the updates are a new Bose sound system, and new alloys and colourways which add more depth to the personalisation options of the funky SUV.

The grille, headlights and fog lights have been updated, and new body colours Chestnut Bronze and Vivid Blue  join new customisation packs. Front and rear bumper inserts, door sills, and mirror caps can now be highlighted in Energy Orange and Power Blue – plus the interior, diversifying the already diverse scope to make the Juke your own. There’s also two new 16″ alloy designs and the 18″ alloys on the Tekna trim have an option of coloured inserts.

N-Connecta has been replaced by the new Bose Personal Edition trim, in conjunction with the introduction of the Bose sound system – that won awards for it’s application in the Nissan Micra. The system features speakers in the headrests, and features six speakers throughout the interior. The Bose Personal system is also standard on the range-topping Tekna trim.

The updated Juke is on sale from May 2018, and 4WD is available in conjunction with the DIG-T 190 and DIG-T 214 petrol engines.

 

Lexus have debuted their latest SUV in Geneva, the UX.

The new compact SUV offers is labelled as an ‘urban explorer’, and is the first Lexus to be made on the new GA-C platform.

Two powertrains are on offer, but four-wheel drive is only available with the hybrid setup. The 250h is a self charging hybrid system, that produces 176bhp, and in E-Four drives both axles. It consists of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in conjunction with an electric motor powering the rear wheels.

Suspension at the front is a single strut setup, whilst the rear is a wishbone, and the UX gets Lexus’ latest EPS system.

The UX is optimised with the latest Lexus safety features. These include a pre-collision system, lane assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic headlights, road sign assist and a preemptive parking brake.

Interior leather is made using Sashiko – a traditional Japanese quilting technique, predominantly used in making judo and kendo martial arts gear. That’s not the only interesting internal patina, as the dashboard has been inspired by the grain of Japanese paper, or washi, but there is a leather option too.

There’s no information on prices, or release dates as of yet.

 

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