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2018 Jeep Wrangler four-cylinder could be incredibly potent

Update: We hear the 368-hp rating in the NHTSA documents isn't accurate. The story has been modified to reflect that. Update 2: The document has been removed from NHTSA's website. We already knew that the next-generation Jeep Wrangler would offer two engines this time around, a V6 and a new turbocharged four-cylinder. Documentation from FCA to NHTSA that JL Wrangler Forums discovered suggests the V6 will become the entry-level engine with the same 285 horsepower as the current one, while the turbo 2.0-liter inline-four takes the top spot with 368 horsepower. However, we're now hearing that figure isn't accurate. That's an all-around impressive four-cylinder – and obviously likely too good to be true. Besides making about 80 more horsepower than its bigger V6 cousin, it would also be the second most powerful four-cylinder available in the United States. It would only be 7 horsepower shy of the current four-pot power champ, the Mercedes-Benz CLA45, which makes 375 horsepower. It's also 18 horsepower ahead of the next closest engine, the turbo four in the Focus RS that makes 350 horsepower. If you do decide to pick up a 2018 Wrangler with the four-cylinder, you'll have to settle for an automatic transmission. Only the V6 will be available with both an automatic and manual transmission. Both engines should be available at launch, which we expect to come shortly after an expected reveal at the Los Angeles auto show. The FCA documentation also suggests that the four-door model will be the first body style available, with the two-door arriving slightly later. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeep Wrangler Spy Shots View 28 Photos News Source: JL Wrangler Forums / FCAImage Credit: KGP Photography Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles jeep wrangler unlimited

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is more expensive than the Dodge Demon

Jeep has finally released pricing for its crazy, all-wheel-drive, Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee, and it's seriously expensive. It starts at $86,995. That's a full $2,000 more than the limited-production, 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT Demon. For 140 fewer horses, and a quarter-mile time that's 2seconds slower (11.6 seconds vs. 9.6), you'll spend more money. Then again, the Grand Cherokee can do things the Demon and the Hellcats can't. It's got more space than any of them, meaning you can carry quite a bit more. It's capable of towing up to 7,200 pounds of stuff. It also has all-wheel drive, which means you have a little extra traction in bad weather, and you have the opportunity to do spectacular four-wheel burnouts. And of course, the Trackhawk is still fast and capable by any measure. It's only a tenth of a second slower to 60 mph than the Challenger Hellcat Widebody. It also comes with massive Brembo brakes, with the largest front rotors fitted to a Jeep, to haul it down from 60 mph in a claimed 114 feet. Each corner features 295-mm tires that Jeep claims let the Trackhawk generate 0.88g circling a skid pad. If the Trackhawk sounds like just the absurd performance machine you've been waiting for, you'll be able to put your order in soon. Dealers will accept orders starting Aug. 10, and the vehicles will start arriving at dealer lots toward the end of the year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk View 45 Photos Image Credit: Jeep Jeep SUV Performance

NHTSA investigating power modules on Chrysler Group SUVs and minivans

The Center for Auto Safety is officially petitioning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin scrutinizing alleged problems with the totally integrated power module (TIPM) on about 24 Chrysler Group SUVs and minivans. The advocacy group claims that the part's failure can cause affected vehicles to stall or not start at all. NHTSA is still looking into the accusations and deciding whether a full investigation is actually warranted.
The CAS petition claims at least 70 TIPM failures, but according to NHTSA, six of the complaints are for models that don't have the modules. In 34 of the reported cases, the vehicles refused to start, and in 17 of them the engine stalled. There were also two allegations of smoke and one of a fire. However, none of these affected airbag deployment or resulted in a crash.
This petition isn't the first TIPM-related problem for Chrysler Group. A recent report in the New York Times alleged that it found 240 complaints potentially related to the issue on NHTSA's website alone. In September, the automaker also recalled 230,760 examples worldwide (188,723 in the US) of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango replace the fuel pump relay circuit inside of the TIPM-7 with one external to the unit. The original part could allegedly cause the models to stall without warning. Even earlier, the company also recalled about 80,000 examples of the Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Nitro in 2007 to have the module reprogrammed.