Jeep is at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show presenting the new Wrangler Dragon Design Concept. The iconic offroader from the US-based manufacturer has been modified in order to create a special concept car for this event, and the outcome is this pretty particular Dragon variant with a few details that recall the Chinese culture. Completely painted in black with some golden inserts, this exclusive version of Wrangler has a massive dragon decal on the hood as well as another two on the sides.

The black/gold theme continues in the cabin, that looks as elaborated and fashionable as the outside of the car. Leather upholstery with some Magic Wand metallic inserts gives the passenger compartment a pretty classy feeling, while the dragon image comes up again on the headrests.

The powertrain of the Wrangler Dragon is exactly the same as in the standard model, with the usual 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine delivering 284 hp and 347 Nm of peak torque. Its 18″ wheels use the same black/gold theme and are fitted with 35″ tyres that provide for the best grip in any condition. Several details of this model - such as the LED lights and the fuel cap door - were lifted from the Mopar catalogue, and could be ordered separately right now.

The beautiful Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is finally coming to Europe. This sporty variant of the popular Grand Cherokee (SRT stands for Street Racing Technology) is powered by an impressive 6.4-liter HEMI V8 engine credited with an output of with an output of 465 hp and 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) of peak torque. Performance figures are also quite impressing: the car sprints from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.8 seconds, and reaches a top speed of more than 250 km/h (155 mph). In terms of output the SRT8 boasts an improvement of 50 hp and 61 Nm torque over the 6.1-litre HEMI V-8 it is about to replace, thus it is the most high-performance Jeep vehicle ever produced.

The exterior of the SRT8 is characterized by a lowered (by 3 cm) and more aggressive profile. LED multi-function daytime running lamps amplify the look of the high performance Jeep, while a hood mounted dual black heat extractors provide for a better engine cooling. At the rear, we have a new lift-gate spoiler, air diffuser and a dual-sport exhaust system featuring 10 cm exhaust tail pipes. The model also uses an advanced new active damping suspension, which is managed by the new Selec-Trac system to optimize road handling.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8’s refined interior uses carbon fibre accent inserts, paddle-shift gear controls, Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC), a new SRT-styled Nappa leather and suede seats and the Uconnect satellite navigation system, . Obviously, all sorts of safety and security features are also part of the SRT8 package. Other highlights include 20″ forged aluminum wheels, blind-spot monitoring with Rear Cross-path detection, high-performance vented Brembo brakes, dual-pane sunroof and an on-demand four-wheel drive transfer system.

View the full Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 photo gallery

Here are the first pics of the ‘Altitude’ limited edition versions of three Jeep models: Grand Cherokee, Compass and Patriot. The three popular off-roaders from the American manufacturer get a slew of blackened details and are inspired by the Compass and Grand Cherokee production-intent sports concept that were showcased at the latest Geneva Motor Show.

Even though the main color of the bodywork can be chosen by the buyer, other elements such as front grille, head-lamps outlines, alloys and a few bits in the cabin will come in black only. This move will provide the car with a strong and sporty contrast with any color the client might go for (apart from black, of course). Jeep hasn’t specified whether this special range will also be made available on this side of the pond, so for now we can just cross our fingers and hope for the best.

Jeep presents the Wrangler “Arctic”, a new special version of its popular offroader featuring a unique winter-themed exterior and interior design. The new ‘Arctic’ edition was firstly unveiled at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, last November, but Chrysler has recently and officially confirmed that the model will soon come to Europe too, also announcing a starting price of 36,850 €. This new version of the Wrangler will be available in three different exterior colors - Bright White, Bright Silver and Winter Chill - and comes with black 17″ wheels fitted with 32″ tyres, color matching hardtop and fender flares, dedicated “Arctic” badges and decals, air conditioner, sat-nav, multi-functional steering wheel, and a few bits coming from Mopar (the special parts and service arm of the Chrysler Group), such as fuel cap and tail lamp guards.

Inside, the seats use black Tectonic fabric with Polar White accents and orange stitching. Front seats are heated and feature ‘Arctic’ logos in the seat back. Accent stitching can also be found on steering wheel, arm rest and console lid. Door trim and nets are also accented in orange, while all handles and dashboard vent rings are finished in Polar White trim. Exclusive Mopar rubber carmats with ‘Jeep’ logos complete the interior of the model. The Jeep Wrangler Arctic also comes with an EVIC on-board computer, cruise control, the vocally controlled Bluetooth UConnect Phone system with UCI, UConnect GPS with radio/CD/DVD/MP3/WMA player, USB dock, a 30 GByte hard-disk and a 6,5” touch screen.

The ‘Arctic’ trim joins the other three well known ‘Sport’, ‘Sahara’ and ‘Rubicon’ versions, and will be available for both 2- (Jeep Wrangler), and 4-door configurations (Jeep Wrangler Unlimited), equipped with a supercharged 2.8-litre CRD diesel unit delivering 200hp at 3,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 460 Nm between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm. However, in 2012, a new engine options will be made available for the whole range in the form of a Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 petrol unit producing 285 hp and 353 Nm of peak torque. Moreover, for refined shifting and greater performance, the Jeep Wrangler migrates from a 4-speed to a new 5-speed automatic transmission, making it the first Jeep model to apply a manual gearbox to the Pentastar V6. Other remarkable features include the standard all-wheel drive part-time Command-Trac NV241, Dana 30 front axle and Dana 44 rear axle, that allows for maximum off-road performance. In spite of the name, the ‘Arctic’ has not been given any specialized equipment for sub-zero traveling.

View the full Jeep Wrangler Arctic photo gallery

During the recent Paris Boat Show, Jeep introduced its Wrangler Unlimited Nautic Concept. This exclusive edition of the iconic American off-road model was presented in two versions: Nautic White and Nautic Black. The former is characterized by - you guessed it - a white livery, with chrome elements such as front grille, door handles, trunk hinges and 20″ wheels. Plus, there are wooden deck-style coverings for the floors, dash, console, doors and gear-lever as well as white upholstery.

The Nautic Black version instead is all black, both inside and outside, with chrome and wooden deck embellishments similar to its white sister. Both models are equipped with a 2.8-litres CRD engine delivering 200 hp mated to a manual gearbox.

View the full Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Nautic Concept photo gallery

Italian press is reporting that Masearti production will take place in Italy after an investment of about 600 million euros from Fiat Group in the Grugliasco plant (ex-Bertone facilities). Italy’s financial paper, Ilsole24ore reports that the new E segment Maserati will be produced, while Autoblog.it says both the Maserati SUV and so-called baby Quattroporte models will be produced at the Italian facilities. Production at the plant, which has been dormant since 2006, is expected to start at the end of 2012.

The announcement comes after an agreement between Sergio Marchionne and the employment Ministry was reached. No news regarding eventual Alfa Romeo SUV and Jeep production is available. Decisions regarding Italian production at Mirafiori of those models are apparently currently on hold due to euro-USD exchange rates in light of the fact that a large number of the models will be exported. That means the US could still get its slice of Alfa Romeo SUV production to help Fiat cut costs.

The new Jeep Compass is being redesigned as a soft-road model aiming at increasing Jeep sales in Europe. The sales objective is about 125,000 units a year, starting from 2014 when the new Compass will go on sale. The model will use the same Fiat compact platform which will appear on the Alfa Giulia.

The Jeep Compass will have a long wheelbase and wide track platform, with four-wheel drive capability - modifications of the front-drive Giulietta platform. The new Alfa SUV will use the same base and both the Jeep and Italian model should compete in the premium SUV segment of the European car market against models like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander.

The next generation Jeep Compass will replace both the current model and the Patriot. It will be revealed in 2013 for a market launch the following year and will have a two-litre diesel engine in the line-up meaning Jeep should be able to compete in Europe. The 125,000 sales figure is up from 15,000 Jeep models sold in Europe last year.

That is well above even Land Rover sales of 75,000 but Jeep says it “is a global brand with a new product range and an expanding dealer network”. Other models contributing to the ambitious plan include a facelifted Wrangler, new Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and the Grand Wagoneer. The models will be jointly sold through Lancia outlets.

Source | Autocar

The success of the Jeep Grand Cherokee means that Sergio Marchionne will be looking to expand the use of this platform across the Fiat-Chrysler range to other new models. A Fiat crossover using this platform has been talked about for some time, but it seems that Marchionne could be considering both a Maserati SUV and an Alfa SUV based on the Cherokee.

To be honest, the reports have been slightly beaten up across the internet from the original article appearing in the Detroit News in which it was said:

There has long been speculation about an Alfa Romeo version of the SUV, but Marchionne talked about the high-end Maserati brand potentially adding SUVs based on the Grand Cherokee as well…. “I’ve never seen a vehicle have this kind of support,” Marchionne said.

So Marchionne didn’t confirm the Alfa SUV and neither do we get a quote directly associated with the Maserati SUV. What is interesting is that Marchionne clearly believes the quality build and platform of the Jeep Grand Cherokee is what’s driving demand - not the brand appeal or style of the car itself.

The new Fiat Group crossover and SUV models would contribute to an expanding line-up expected to reach the ambitious targets for the Alfa brand and Fiat overall, set by Marchionne for the year 2015. This is the first indication of exactly what we’ll be seeing as although Alfa Romeo has the new Alfa MiTo and Alfa Giulietta directing sales at the moment, no replacement model for the Alfa Brera had been announced and even plans for the new Alfa Giulia sedan were looking shaky.

We can’t help wondering if the crossover and SUV category in the Maserati and Alfa brands is worth pursuing. Alfa Romeo could probably get away with a SUV, but we’re less convinced that Maserati can. We also would have loved to have seen a snazzy new Alfa coupé - that would have been something to write home about.

Marchionne is a practical man though, and the sales results of the Jeep Grand Cherokee make sense in this context. A new Fiat Crossover, perhaps more upmarket than the Panda or Fiat Sedici could really work and on the local market, too. Hopefully there’s more news to come soon and if it’s like this, the Alfa Romeo and Maserati futures could be more interesting and optimistic than first thought. More reports on Autoblog.com and Autoblog.it

Jeep has denied original reports that the video above acidentally showed the first glimpse of a Fiat-Jeep SUV in clay model form. The Fiat-Chrysler partnership will have a big impact on the Jeep brand, which is set to develop a crossover-SUV (called CUV) on the base of Fiat’s C-Evo platform.

Chrysler has stated that the clay model in the video is merely a past design study. It’s almost a shame really, as Autoblog.com at least was happy to see that plenty of “Jeep design cues” seemed to have been included. Which should be a note to Jeep that when it does build its Fiat-based SUV if it wants to keep the Jeep punters happy, it will still have to look like something the brand generally produces.

Chrysler’s statement was the following:

“While we certainly appreciate the interest, the clay model and sketches in the YouTube video represent past design studies, not the future of Jeep design. This and similar videos are targeted toward college students and the youth market in general, to build excitement about the Jeep brand, and to provide a glimpse into some of the processes we go through to create iconic Jeep vehicles.”

The new Jeep Grand Cherokee is experiencing such strong demand in the US that the European market will have to wait longer than previously planned to see the model. The models originally destined for Europe, in production in the US since July 12, will go to furnishing local demand, meaning the fourth quarter 2010 European market appearance is being postponed until the second quarter 2011.

The Detroit plant building the European Grand Cherokee was set to have models ready for the third quarter, and to embark on diesel versions in the first quarter of 2011. But with the local demand, production efforts for the overseas market are being turned to the local market, and Chrysler Group may have to add extra shifts to cope.

It’s surely a good thing though, that production rates have gone up and new parent company Fiat should be looking closely at why the Jeep Grand Cherokee is just so popular. So far though, that popularity is expressed only on the US market, and if 2009 figures are anything to go by (Jeep sold just 4,469 Grand Cherokees in Europe last year) the new model will have to be something special to appeal such that those figures would increase. Jeep will be the only brand left on the European market though, with Chrysler-badged models to be sold as Lancias.

The model could prove a key player in the transition to the new Fiat-Chrysler structure and according to reports, improvements on the production line and in staff training have already been made. Although the new Grand Cherokee was planned before the Fiat buyout, if production continues at this rate, the car could be an unwitting player in the first significant joint effort on the market since the merger began.

Source | Autonews

After news that Fiat would get its own showrooms in the US, without using Chrysler dealerships as a spring board, it seems that the Italian company is sharing a Champs Elysees showroom with Jeep. The Motor Village includes the Jeep models for the first time in a Fiat showroom, alongside Italian brands like Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Maserati.

After the Fiat-Chrysler merger, plans were that Chyrslers will be sold in Europe as rebadged Lancias, and so the Jeep brand will become the flag bearer for the American company. New Alfa SUV models planned should be based on Jeep models, bringing the brands closer together. The store is considered one of Fiat’s international flagship stores and it’s interesting to see Jeep get a foot in the door.

Fiat Jeep Champs Elysees showroom

Source | WCF

According to rumours, the Fiat C-Evo platform set to debut on the Alfa Romeo Milano will appear on future Jeep and Chrysler models. This is after indiscretions regarding Multiair engine technology and Chrysler assembly operations at Fiat Bertone facilities after the Fiat-Chrysler deal.

Apparently the first model that will be built on the platform will be a compact Jeep SUV, while Chrysler will use C-Evo on the new PT Cruiser and Sebring (the longer wheelbase C-Evo version). It’s even possible that the latter model will have a Lancia-branded Italian version. All new C-Evo Chrysler models should be using Multiair engines from 2011, with subsequent debuts from 2011 to 2012. We can’t help but wonder if there’s much in it for Fiat at this stage…

Source | Al volante via Autoblog.it