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New Jeep Wrangler caught nearly uncovered

Finally, after months of seeing Wrangler prototypes carefully covered up, we get a look at some prototypes with the bare minimum of camouflage. Starting from the front, the fascia looks just as it did in previously leaked images. In contrast to the outgoing model, the trademark grille slots are now taller, stretching nearly to the top of the grille surround. The headlights also intersect with the grille slots, resulting in slightly pinched slots at either end. Aside from the grille, we can get a clear view of the new horizontal, fender-mounted turn signals and the traditional exposed hood latches. Moving along the SUV, we find hinges at the base of the windshield, which seems to confirm that you'll still be able to fold it down for maximum wind exposure. And, as we've seen before, the doors have exposed hinges that indicate the doors can come off, too. We can also see that the Wrangler will be offered with both contrasting black plastic fender flares, and with body-colored versions. But unlike past models, the body-colored examples aren't completely painted, leaving a black strip along the edges. Interestingly, the fender vents seen on another fully exposed example of the Wrangler don't appear to be present on these prototypes. They could be covered, or they may be an optional appearance item. At the back, we now get to see the Wrangler's new taillights, which are LED units with an I-beam shape. The exposed gas filler cap is now gone, in favor of a permanently attached filler door. Both the license plate mount and rear window wiper have been moved, too. The license plate now mounts to the bumper, and the rear wiper hides at the base of the rear window behind the spare tire. The rear bumper also gets some red lenses that could simply be reflectors, or possibly rear fog lights. As previously reported, the new Jeep Wrangler is expected to make its debut at this year's LA auto show, with the first deliveries arriving to dealers not long after. It will be available with either a four-cylinder or V6 at launch, with a diesel coming later, and the truck sometime after that. Other new features to the Wrangler could include a roof with power sliding panels, and full-time four-wheel drive. Related Video:

Ram, Jeep redesigns on hold, Alfa Romeo models may come sooner

Last summer, FCA outlined an ambitious five-year plan that sketched out the company's product intentions for each of its brands through the end of 2018. However, even the best strategies sometimes need tweaking. According to Reuters after speaking with unnamed people at auto suppliers, FCA is now possibly delaying at least a dozen projects in North America for a variety of reasons. From vehicle to vehicle, these postponements allegedly last anywhere from just a few months to over a year. The sources from the suppliers claim that in some cases these tweaks are for engineering and design changes. The next-gen Ram 1500 reportedly has among the shorter delays and is being pushed from mid-2017 to November 2017, according to Reuters. Also, the much-discussed future Jeep Wrangler is allegedly moving a little later to July 2017. Among the vehicles purportedly seeing longer delays, the next-gen Grand Cherokee could get pushed back about a year to 2018. That then forces the launch of the three-row, luxury Grand Wagoneer to be even further away. Jeep's upcoming C-segment CUV and the all-new Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, and Challenger might also see postponements. The one brand allegedly seeing an accelerated plan is Alfa Romeo. Without going into detail, the sources from these suppliers claim that the Italian automaker is getting even more vehicles for its lineup and could get them even faster than planned. "Those plans need to be flexible and fluid, with the potential to add some vehicles, pull some forward and extend the life cycle of others," FCA said to Reuters about all of these allegations. "We look at these programs on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis." Investment in the auto industry has been a major topic for FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne as of late. He believes consolidation is necessary so that companies aren't burning money on the same projects. Related Video: News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images Plants/Manufacturing Alfa Romeo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep RAM Sergio Marchionne FCA fca us

Off-roader plows through a deep bog like it was nothing

The Facebook page Jeeps With Attitude runs a weekly series called Too Deep Tuesday wherein they post videos of off-roaders running their rigs through bogs and mud holes of surprising depth and coming out the other side soggy but relatively unscathed. This week's video, in which a driver extracts a buried vehicle from the muddiest bog in the land, is the perfect mix of nutso bravery and off-road know-how. The video starts with the vehicle already sunk to its hood and listing to starboard in a deep, sticky bog. Slowly but surely, the vehicle creeps forward through the mud, pushing a heavy bow wave of muck and debris in front of it. Unlike other recent videos where jeep drivers lost their rides in the water and destroyed their expensive toys, this driver keeps his cool and with a steady foot on the accelerator and the help of a winch and a convenient tree, eventually emerges triumphant. What did he do right? Well, using the vehicle's winch to help pull the rig out of the mud was the big thing. Also, he kept his cool and, once committed, never hesitated or deviated from his chosen path. Gunning it blindly or backing up in that mess would have meant almost certain death for that vehicle, a lesson that the aforementioned Jeep drivers learned the hard way. Related Video: News Source: Facebook Weird Car News Jeep Driving Off-Road Vehicles Videos