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The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk is pretty much good to go

We've been stalking the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for months, and now we're getting our best look yet at the devilishly powerful sport utility vehicle. From a distance, the JGC looks almost stately in black. Look closer and you see the SRT badges and the big brakes. Look past the wrappings and you see large air intakes in the lower fascia. All of this reinforces the Trackhawk's performance pedigree, which will be anchored with the 6.2-liter supercharged Hemi Hellcat V8. It's rated at 707 horsepower in the Charger and Challenger Hellcats. The Jeep will use four-wheel drive. These up-close images show off the Trackhawk's simple design. Like the Dodge Hellcats, Jeep appears to be letting the power and capability stand on their own. Previously, we've only seen the Trackhawk from a distance or in blurry video. The Trackhawk's arrival comes as Fiat Chrysler expands Jeep's global presence. The company is increasingly looking to its venerable off-road brand for sales volume, image building, and profits as it re-aligns its car business and looks for potential partners. The Trackhawk looks nearly production ready, and we expect it to go on sale in 2017. Also, don't confuse it with the Trailhawk, which is a trim level you can buy on the 2017 Grand Cherokee. Related Video: Featured Gallery Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk Spy Shots View 15 Photos Image Credit: KGP Photography Design/Style Spy Photos Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles Performance

Jeep going bigger with new Grand Wagoneer, smaller with sub-Renegade?

The headlines are still rolling in for the new Renegade that Jeep unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show last week, but already reports are surfacing, citing sources within the company, about what Chrysler's iconic off-road brand will do next.
Speaking with Auto Express (whose reports we tend to take with a grain of salt or two), Jeep chief Mike Manley suggested that two courses of action are currently under consideration at Auburn Hills to develop two very different new models - one smaller and one larger than anything Jeep currently makes.
One plan would be to make an SUV or crossover even smaller than the new Renegade, although it isn't immediately clear what platform it would take. The Renegade (pictured above in Trailhawk spec) will be built in Italy alongside Fiat's upcoming 500X, but uses a heavily modified platform. We figure the smaller model, if approved, could base itself on the new Fiat Panda Cross.

Chrysler recalling nearly half a million Durangos and Grand Cherokees

Rule number one of public relations – save the bad news for Friday. Fiat Chrysler has adhered to that, announcing today that it'd be voluntarily recalling 467,480 SUVs. This latest recall could actually be thought of as a continuation of a September 2014 recall, relating to the fuel-cell relay. In that case, some 188,723 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee CUVs from model year 2011 were recalled. And this time, it's the Durango and GC in trouble again. FCA is adding crossovers from model years 2012 and 2013 to the fuel-pump recall, although only diesel-powered Jeeps with the 3.0-liter V6 that were sold outside of North America are affected this time around. As with the previous recall, deformities in the fuel-pump relay, which could affect its functioning. In most cases, FCA reports that the affected vehicles simply won't start, although they also could be prone to stalling. A new relay circuit will be installed that promises increase durability. Of the 467,480 vehicles being recalled, 338,216 were sold in the US market, 18,991 went to Canada and 10,829 were shipped south of the border, to Mexico. Outside of the NAFTA region, FCA is recalling 99,444 vehicles. No injuries or accidents have been associated with this recall. Statement: Fuel-Pump Relay February 27, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 467,480 SUVs worldwide to install new a relay circuit that improves fuel-pump relay durability. FCA US engineers have determined a condition identified in a previous investigation may extend to additional vehicles. The previous investigation, which led to a recall, traced a pattern of repairs to fuel-pump relays that are susceptible to deformation. This may affect fuel-pump function, preventing a vehicle from starting, or leading to engine stall. Of the two scenarios, the no-start condition is the more common. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The fuel-pump relay is located inside the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), which also helps manage other vehicle functions. None of these other functions, including air-bag deployment, is affected by the fuel-pump relay. The new campaign affects an estimated 338,216 vehicles in the U.S.; 18,991 in Canada; 10,829 in Mexico and 99,444 outside the NAFTA region. Covered are model-year 2012 and 2013 Dodge Durango full-size SUVs and non-NAFTA 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee mid-size SUVs equipped with 3.0-liter diesel engines.