Jeep gave the 2014 Jeep Cherokee its world debut at the 2013 New York Auto Show, promising an all-new car that will completely redefine the mid-size SUV segment, the largest SUV segment in North America with roughly two million units sold in 2012.

Weapons in the Cherokee arsenal include “legendary Jeep 4X4 capability”, a nine-speed automatic transmission, fuel economy improvements of over 45% (versus the outgoing Liberty model), improved on-road ride and handling, and a cutting-edge, revolutionary design. The latter includes a face from Mars – you’ll either love the alien looks or hate it.

The new nine-speed auto can be paired to a 2.4 litre “Tigershark” MultiAir 2 four-cylinder engine with 184 hp or a new 3.2 litre Pentastar V6 with 271 hp. The latter is the first derivative of the Chrysler Group’s award winning 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, and gives the Cherokee best-in-class V6 towing capability of 4,500 pounds.

The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is the first mid-size SUV to feature rear-axle disconnect, for reduced energy loss when 4X4 capability isn’t needed. Rear-axle disconnect seamlessly switches between two- and four-wheel drive for full-time torque management and does not require input from the driver.

Jeep Active Drive II gives the off-road adventurer a ride height that is increased by an inch, and a crawl ratio of 56:1 (47.8:1 on the V6) – up to 90% improvement versus the outgoing model.

Jeep Active Drive Lock adds a locking rear differential for better low-speed power for severe off-road conditions. It’s standard on all “Trail Rated” Trailhawk models, which gets aggressive approach and departure angles, one-inch factory lift, skid plates and signature red tow hooks. The Trailhawk is the macho red one in the gallery below.

Bulid at Chrysler’s Toledo plant, the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will hit showrooms in the third quarter of this year.

The post 2014 Jeep Cherokee – 9-speed auto, face from Mars appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Jeep has released a few images of its 2014 Jeep Cherokee that will make its world debut at the 2014 New York International Auto Show next month.

A name that needs no introduction, the all-new “no-compromise” 2014 Cherokee sets a new standard with even more best-in-class capability, exemplary on-road driving dynamics, and fuel economy improvements of more than 45% versus the outgoing mid-size SUV model, says its maker.

The new Cherokee will be built in the USA at Chrysler Group’s Toledo Assembly Plant in Ohio, and will arrive in showrooms in the third quarter of 2013. What do you think of that bold new face?

The post 2014 Jeep Cherokee revealed with a bold new face appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The Chrysler Group is set to introduce nine-speed automatic transmissions in its cars this year. Autonews reports that the Fiat-owned American company may have as many as 200,000 units of the ZF 9HP gearbox that will eventually go in three new models.

They are the successor to the Jeep Liberty, the Chrysler 200 midsize sedan and the Dodge Dart compact sedan, CEO Sergio Marchionne revealed in Detroit. The nine-speed transmission is the “future of the front- wheel drive and all-wheel drive world for Chrysler,” added Marchionne, who is also Fiat boss.

It has been said that Marchionne is relying on Chrysler to offset Fiat’s losses in crisis-hit Europe. The sharp-looking Dodge Dart’s debut last year was hampered by powertrain choices – the Alfa Giulietta-based sedan was initially shipped with only a manual, before a Fiat-sourced six-speed dual-clutch transmission joined. DCTs are popular in Europe, but less so in America. The nine-speed auto addresses this.

Nine speeds sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Some clearly don’t think so. It has been reported that Hyundai and Ford/GM are working on 10-speed automatics! Click here and here to read more.

Once in trouble, the Chrysler Group is doing surprisingly well in America. While analysts expected the company to lose market share, Chrysler’s annual sales jumped more than any major automaker other than Toyota and Honda last year – US sales rose 21% to 1.65 million units.

The post Nine-speed auto for Chrysler Group brands this year appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Reports have it that Chrysler Indonesia is set to launch new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models at the show, including a Jeep 70th Anniversary edition. PT Garansindo Inter Global, Chrysler’s authorised distributor in the country, will also launch Mopar, which handles accessories and parts designed specifically for the three marques.

Since its reentry into the country a year ago, sales of Chrysler vehicles have been steadily climbing, and the company is expecting to meet its sales target of 700 cars this year. At point of entry last July, six variants from the three brands were slated to be sold in Indonesia, these being the Chrysler 300C and Cabriolet Sebring, the Dodge Journey as well as the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Wrangler Rubicon and Patriot, all CBU units.

Jeep seems to be doing particularly well – a year on, it has contributed 70% of the company’s total sales, with the Wrangler leading the way for Jeep, with 70% of sales.

The reports add that Garansindo, which currently has five dealers in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bali, is aiming for some serious expansion, targeting to open no less than 23 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealers across the country, including Sumatra, Kalimantan and eastern Indonesia by 2013, and will spend up to US$100 million for expansion.

And with Chrysler already having a sales network in the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam, the company looks like it’s definitely aiming for bigger, with an eye to assembly and manufacturing in the region.

Chrysler’s Asia Pacific Operations CEO John Kett was quoted as saying that while the company’s focus was to reestablish its presence in the Indonesian market, there were plans for the company to set up a manufacturing plant in Southeast Asia, though it had yet to decide which country it would be built in.

“To develop an industrial base in the region is our priority, but whether it’s in Indonesia (or another country) is a separate discussion,” Kett told reporters. Given the increasing levels of activity happening there, it’s probably safe to assume Indonesia will be it, with the Wrangler being the first to go CKD, joined perhaps by the Patriot.

The post Chrysler planning to set up ASEAN manufacturing base appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

The bond between Fiat and Chrysler continues to grow with this latest piece of news that Maserati and Alfa Romeo may get SUVs based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, which according to Sergio Marchionne can easily take on the larger and more powerful powertrains that a luxury SUV has to offer.

This very same platform is actually shared with Mercedes-Benz and the German company uses it for their ML-Class, which has AMG models on offer. Jeep’s own offering includes a 5.7 litre Hemi and a 6.4 litre SRT-8 Hemi. A large Maserati/Alfa Romeo SUV based on this platform could house Ferrari’s front mounted rear wheel drive engines, already used in Maserati passenger cars.

The new Italian SUV duo could hit the market in 12 to 18 months and a production site is already planned – Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit, right smack in the land of SUVs and trucks. We’ve seen a design study of a Maserati SUV in the past – back in 2003 at the Detroit show, the Maserati Kubang concept shown above was exhibited.

The post Alfa Romeo and Maserati to get SUV based on Jeep Grand Cherokee platform appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Call of Duty fans, this is your Jeep, the limited run Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition. Available as a two-door or four-door, this limited-edition is based on the 2011 Rubicon model and inspired by the seventh and latest edition of the popular first person shooter. It sports dark Rubicon wheels in high-gloss Mineral Gray, Call of Duty: Black Ops graphics on the roof and front quarter panels, taillamp guards and a fuel-filler door from Mopar.

“It was important for us to make sure that the Jeep partnership would be authentic and enhance the setting we immerse our fans in with Black Ops. Our work with the Jeep team focused around using the Wrangler in our levels, and gameplay experiences, and translating the style and look of the vehicle in Black Ops to the Jeep on the showroom floor that our fans can own,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of game developer Treyarch.

It’s a Wrangler, so you’ll get go anywhere ability backed by 32-inch off-road tyres, live axles with locking differentials in the front and rear, and a two-speed transfer case. 2011 Wranglers get redesigned instruments and new storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. Heated power mirrors are now available, as are luxuries like steering-wheel controls and a “media centre” while the rear windows are now larger. Jeep says that cabin noise is significantly reduced.

Wallpaper sized images after the jump

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1641]

The post Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.

Tomorrow is the launch of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Chrysler Group has released images that show a very handsome SUV doing macho things like fording streams and climbing hills.

I’m not sure if you agree, but I reckon that this Jeep is one of the best looking 4X4s of late – bold, tough looking and with none of those “crossover” designs going on.

Capability highlights include a choice of three 4×4 systems, new Jeep Quadra-Lift Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain and towing capability of 3,356 kg. On-road dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front and rear suspension systems and a new body structure that substantially increases torsional stiffness.

The new Grand Cherokee also features Chrysler’s all-new 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine which boasts 11% better fuel economy and delivers more than 800 km on one full tank. Read more on the Pentastar here.

Hi-res gallery after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1142]

The post GALLERY: All-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee looks good appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News.