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Hendrick wants to put Jeep Wranglers back on the battlefield

The Jeep Wrangler could be headed back to the battlefield. According to reports, negotiations are currently under way with the US Army to adapt the iconical American off-roader for military use. The Wranglers would serve as inexpensive, lightweight, unarmored vehicles that could be more easily airlifted into remote locations than costlier, heavier, and bulkier options. The proposal is not being fielded by the Jeep brand itself or its parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but by Hendrick Dynamics. The Charlotte-based offshoot of NASCAR racing team Hendrick Motorsports calls its modified Wrangler the Hendrick Commando. Instead of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 found in most US-market Wranglers, the Commando version employs the 2.8-liter diesel four built by VM Motori, modified to run on any type of diesel fuel or on JP-8 jet fuel to maximize its deployment versatility and comply with the Army's Single Fuel mandate of 2012. It would also support a variety of modular attachments for specific jobs, ranging from machine gun mounts and counter-mine rakes to radar arrays and advanced communications equipment. Hendrick says the Commando could also be deployed by helicopter or in cargo planes. And because it's based on a civilian platform, the Commando would also benefit from the latest advancements introduced by its manufacturer, the parts and service network already in place, and the thorough testing that's already gone into developing the Wrangler for civilian use. Hendrick has reportedly built 14 prototypes to date, including the two-door Commando 2 (based on the standard Wrangler), the four-door Commando 4 (based on the Wrangler Unlimited), and even a pickup conversion called the Commando S. It is not, however, the only company adapting Jeep Wranglers for military application. Israel-based Automotive Industries Ltd has been producing successive versions of the Wrangler-based Storm for use by the Israel Defense Forces and other militaries overseas since 1990. If the US Army awards the contract for the Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) vehicle to Hendrick Dynamics, it would bring the iconic Jeep back to the battlefield where it got its start. The brand and its most prolific model trace their roots back to the Willys MB, launched in 1941 on contract from the US Army for deployment in World War II.

Mopar showcases modified Jeeps in Dubai

Showing that FCA is serious about expanding its global reach, Jeep and Mopar have rolled in to the Dubai Motor Show this year with three modified off-roaders. One is based on the Cherokee, and the other two are wrought from the Wrangler. But it's the Cherokee that's getting the lion's share of attention. The vehicle you see pictured here is called the Jeep Cherokee KrawLer. It's based on the Trailhawk, but adopts some special equipment to set it apart. It packs a modified suspension, BFGoodrich off-road tires, widened fenders, skid plates, a pseudo-military matte green paint job and a matching green leather interior from Pelle Frau. Power comes from the 3.2-liter Pentastar V6 driving 272 horsepower through a nine-speed automatic and locking rear differential to all four wheels. The name KrawLer emphasizes the KL code by which the current Cherokee is known. Alongside the Cherokee KrawLer, Mopar and Jeep are also showcasing a pair of modified Wranglers. One is the Sahara Sun Runner, done up in matte yellow with a four-inch lift kit and half-doors. The Wranger Dark Side, meanwhile, is based on a two-door Rubicon and features giant tires, flat fenders, and an array of other Mopar components. Alongside those, Jeep is showcasing the Renegade for the first time in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Mopar is also demonstrating its enhancements for the Chrysler 200, Dodge Charger R/T, Dodge Challenger Hellcat, Ram Rebel, Fiat 500X, and the new Fullback pickup from Fiat Professional. The Fiat division will also be on hand to show the new Tipo sedan as well. 10 November 2015 The Jeep® Brand at the 2015 Dubai International Motor Show - Premiere for the Middle East of the new Jeep®; Renegade - Three show cars fitted with exclusive Mopar®; accessories: Cherokee KrawLer, Wrangler Sahara Sun Runner and Wrangler Dark Side to star on the stand - Reinforcing the breadth of the Jeep brand, the full current vehicle line-up will be on show at the Middle East's leading automotive event Making its debut for the first time at a leading motor show in the Middle East is the new, recently-introduced Jeep®; Renegade, the compact SUV that boasts the best off-road performance in its segment alongside three Moparised show editions: Cherokee KrawLer, Wrangler Sahara Sun Runner and Wrangler Dark Side.

FCA reportedly joins the crowd skipping this year's Paris Motor Show

It's likely FCA vehicles will not be seen at the Paris Motor Show this year. Automotive News is reporting that Fiats, Alfa Romeos, Jeeps and Abarths will not be a part at the show, based on information circulating in the French media. There's a possibility that Maseratis will be displayed at a special section dedicated to upscale cars, but Maserati too will not have a show stand of its own. Ferrari will have a stand, but as it happens, the supercar maker has been a standalone brand since 2015. Skipping the Paris show follows FCA's decision not to take part in the Frankfurt show last year, and the two shows alternate as the biggest autumnal automotive show in Europe. Volkswagen will also not attend the event, and neither will Ford, Nissan or Infiniti. This has become a problem for car shows worldwide, including Detroit's North American International Auto Show. FCA has not released a formal statement about the matter, but a FCA spokesman, quoted by the French magazine L'Argus, reportedly said that the sales and publicity brought in by the show stand would not justify the costs of attending. The news mirrors Volvo's newly announced plan to not take part at the next Geneva Motor Show, but to arrange "bespoke activities" to introduce its cars instead. Related Video: