Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel is slated to join the lineup ‘next year’, without any specific date released as of yet.

According to reports, “The Jeep Grand Cherokee Diesel is expected to join the lineup in 2013 (it is unclear whether it will be a 2013 or 2014 model year vehicle) after a hiatus since last being available stateside in 2008.”

Diesel powered Grand Cherokee is expected to offer a massive torque output while helping the company improve overall fuel economy ratings.

Those attending the 2012 North American International Auto Show next week in Detroit should keep an eye open for this variant, along with Chrysler’s Maserati Kubang, making its first American visit.

Source: Torque News

Among good company (ie: Jeep’s sibling brands, including Fiat) the auto maker took home top honors.

2012′s 4-Door Wrangler has been named “Hottest 4×4 SUV” by SEMA officials.

Pietro Gorlier, CEO of Mopar, had this to say about the achievement: “I think what is outstanding is that we won for our iconic vehicle, the Jeep Wrangler, and with the just-introduced Fiat 500. It tells the story of both the heritage of the brand and the new story of the brand.”

Mopar products are available from San Francisco, CA to Richmond, VA for Jeep enhancements.

“Vehicles that show up here at SEMA are a clear indication of what our industry sees as the movers and shakers, which are going to be leading the trends, which will be the trendsetting models in the upcoming year,” added SEMA CEO Christopher Kersting.

Source | Images: AutoWeek

According to sources at PickupTrucks.com, CEO Mike Manley has said that “resources at Chrysler are all tied up in other projects at the moment. With the full brunt of the company’s operations directed towards transmission and small car development, there’s simply not enough cash on hand to go creating a whole new member of the Jeep family.”

Manley added when new Jeep models hit American dealerships, they will also launch in international markets. He also said the company can “easily see a metric-ton version of the pickup selling well outside the States.”

PickupTrucks.com stated that Southeast Asian and European markets are particularly fond of trucks with cargo capacities of around 2,205 pounds.

Source: autoblog

The Blade reports, that aside from this minor change on front grille features, Wrangler’s 2012 model will come with the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, producing 290 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Jeep’s current 3.8-liter V6 only comes with 202 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque.

Aside from the new engine, 2012′s Wrangler will feature a five-speed automatic transmission, which will offer better fuel efficiency than the current four-speed one.

Source: wcf

Many auto makers come into town with new designs and fantastic concepts. Others take this opportunity to make grand press releases, which is exactly what Jeep did.

In two years, Jeep will resurrect the Grand Wagoneer nameplate. Why is that such a big deal? Wagoneer had the second longest continuous automotive production run in US history.

“It’s time we gave the market an upper-scale Grand Wagoneer,” Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said yesterday. “You’ll see it in January 2013.”

The Grand Wagoneer will be a seven-seater SUV, built on the same platform as Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango. It’s a cornerstone for Marchionne and Fiat – those two vehicles were “part of Chrysler’s 16-vehicle 2011 product offensive” spearheaded by the Italian auto maker, now full owner of the CDJ.

Source: Jalopnik

But fear not soccer moms, car rental agencies & college kids – Cherokee has been saved!

Just northeast of Sacramento, California lays the Rubicon Trail – one of the world’s most famous off-road sites. Treacherous rock, tall trees and hungry beasts sit in this cool mountain range, awaiting the arrival of automotive PR firms and new 4WD/AWD models, followed closely by camera crews. Basically, if your truck can make it here, it’ll make it anywhere. This is the spot where Jeep tested their all new Grand Cherokee. And to be honest, we’re impressed – not only because this is a Jeep enthusiast site. Cherokee is not longer just your dad’s “I don’t want a minivan but I have three kids” ride. It’s off-roading capability far surpasses some previous Jeep models.

Cherokee has several engine options, including flex-fuel 3.6-liter V6 with an estimated 280 horse power, and a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 generating 360 horse power. The latter will get you390 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. A 2011 Grand Cherokee should receive a starting price around $31,500 for base 4×2 Laredo, and possibly upwards of $45,770 for a 4×4 Overland. It’s simple but noticeable re-design also makes us want to pay close attention to up-and-coming Jeep Grand Cherokee models.

Photos via Jalopnik

Jeep Wrangler Mountain – Further expanding the iconic Wrangler brand’s reach, Jeep delivers another high-impact, limited-edition model with the Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition. The Jeep Wrangler Mountain edition is based on the Wrangler Sport S package, and is available on Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited 4×4 models.

Available exterior colors include Rescue Green Metallic Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat and Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat. Interior features include an embossed seat insert with embroidered “Mountain logo,” and anodized graphite heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) rings. The Jeep Wrangler Mountain option package will be available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $1,820.

Jeep Wrangler Islander – After more than 20 years, the unique Islander theme returns to Jeep.

Inside, Islander’s seats are Dark Gray with Surf Blue inserts, blue stitching and an embroidered Islander “Tiki Bob” logo adorning the seat back. Blue stitching also has been added to the leather-wrapped steering wheel, with Mopar® rubber floor mats completing the beach theme. The Jeep Wrangler Islander option package is available at a U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $1,120.

The Source: WCF

Times Square will be adorned with video screens on Thanksgiving Day, electronic billboards on the NASDAQ and Reuters buildings at 43rd Street and Broadway and 43rd Street and 7th Avenue are all part of a massive new advertising campaign. The videos will build on the new Jeep campaign that launched in October: “I live. I ride. I am. Jeep.”

The advertising banners and 30-second videos will run from 6 a.m. Thanksgiving morning until 2 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27. In addition to the digital billboards, Jeep will also debut a new television spot nationally on November 30. So keep your eyes off the floats and on these Jeep ads.

This was added to a stock, two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon without the use of a suspension lift. The team’s goal was to achieve added ground clearance without dramatically altering the vehicle’s center of gravity. The team removed copious amounts of body metal in order to provide room for 40-inch meats. Three inches are chopped from the windshield frame and a 10-degree rake is added.

Custom touches throughout the interior & exterior include front and rear fender flares are 1-inch wider and are located 4 inches higher than a stock Jeep Wrangler, and a color-matched center console and instrument panel. Seats are re-covered with Mopar’s Katzkin leather package in a two-tone scheme. Replacing the carpet is a durable, spray-in truck-bed liner. Rugged Mopar floor mats complete the theme.

“Production at two plants in Michigan, one in Missouri, one in Ohio, two in Canada and one in Mexico will begin during the week of June 29,” a company statement said. Other reopened plants are major providers of Dodge Ram pickup trucks (in Michigan and St. Louis). Finally some happy news for Chrysler and Jeep!