2006 Silver Se 4wd_ Hardtop_6" Lift_exhaust_rough Country Lift_mickey Thompson on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Podcast #417

Episode #417 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, and Brandon Turkus talk about what we're expecting to see at the upcoming 2015 Chicago Auto Show that kicks off on February 12. Of course, the podcast starts with what's in the garage and finishes up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the rundown with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #417 The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics 2015 Chicago Auto Show In The Autoblog Garage 2015 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2014 Ford F-150 Tremor Long-Term 2015 Volkswagen GTI Long-Term 2014 Jeep Cherokee Hosts: Dan Roth, Steven Ewing, Brandon Turkus Runtime: 01:25:53 Rundown Intro and Garage – 00:00 Chicago show – 27:37 Q&A – 47:27 Get The Podcast UStream – Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream iTunes – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Feedback Email – Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes

2018 Jeep Wrangler might get power sliding roof panels

A user at JL Wrangler Forums snapped a few photos of a prototype 2018 Wrangler driving around, and one of the shots revealed some interesting switchgear. On the ceiling are a couple of handles that further confirm it will still have a multi-piece removable roof, something already expected when images of the truck leaked out. Just ahead of those handles is a binnacle of switches with no clear explanation for their existence. The folks at JL Wrangler Forums believe they have the answer. They suspect that the controls are for a Jeep Renegade-style My Sky roof. In case you forgot, the Renegade's My Sky roof is a cross between a sunroof and the Wrangler's removable roof. One of the panels can slide back like a sunroof, or it and a second panel can be pulled out entirely. The forum members believe the large center button and smaller buttons ahead of it are controls for sliding back either or both front roof panels. Of course the roof panels will still be removable, too. They also cite anonymous sources that say the forum's speculation is on the right track. A few years ago, rumors of a power top were circulating, too. We can certainly see this as a possibility. It would offer Wrangler owners the option of some open-air fun without requiring the unfastening of multiple latches and stowage of large roof panels. Although it would likely add plenty of cost, that won't be much of an issue for Jeep. It's already possible to spend remarkable amounts of money in heavily accessorized Wranglers, and Jeep doesn't have trouble getting them sold. We're still not completely convinced, though. It's also possible we could be looking at switchgear for overhead lights or other interior features, maybe even storage for sunglasses. We just can't be positive without getting a closer look at the switches. Also, there's at least one reason Jeep might want to avoid a feature like this. Power sliding top panels could add weight. Now Jeeps aren't amazing performers, save for the SRT and Trackhawk Grand Cherokees, so speed won't be an issue, but if the weight goes into the top panels, it could make top removal more difficult thanks to heavier components. We'll have to wait to find out for sure. Related Video:

Best cars for snow and ice in 2023 and 2024

What's the best car for snow? The real answer is "the one with winter tires." What do we mean by that? You could have the finest, most advanced all-wheel-drive system or four-wheel drive in the world, but if you're running all-seasons (the spork of tires), your fancy four-wheeler won't matter much. The odds are, any vehicle on the road running good winter tires will probably perform adequately in slippery, slushy and/or snowy road conditions. (Here's a more complete explanation of why winter tires are totally worth it). In other words, you don't really need any of the cars on this list. With a set of winter tires, countless others will do the job, and even these will be at their best with proper rubber. You can find a variety of winter tires for your car here at Tire Rack. Keep in mind that you will need a full set of four snow tires for safety and performance, no matter what you're driving. The days of your dad putting just two snows on the family truckster to get it moving in a straight line are long gone. Don't get us wrong, getting a car that performs well in snow and ice is still a worthy criteria for car buyers. According to the U.S. Transportation Department, 70% of Americans live in places that get snow and ice. And much of the country has been blasted with arctic air for much of the new year. So let's look at the cars. First, we're highlighting choices for a variety of buyers and price points. Second, we're not just considering snow; we're considering general wintery conditions people will experience driving to work or school. As such, these are all choices with advanced all-wheel-drive systems, usually with "torque-vectoring" systems that not only automatically shunt power front and back, but side to side between the rear axles. Most have extra ground clearance for getting through deep snow, and we prefer those vehicles with more responsive steering, throttles and transmissions that provide a greater sense of vehicle control in slippery conditions.    Acura RDX Read our Acura RDX Review Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system was one of the first to offer torque-vectoring, and besides often being touted for its ability to greatly enhanced dry-road handling, its benefits in the slick stuff can be profound. It's actually surprising that Acura hasn't leaned into this capability further by offering more rugged versions of its vehicles.