2020 Jeep Wrangler Freedom 4x4 on 2040-cars

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The Jeep Wrangler is finally getting modern headlights for 2017

Some of Jeep's headlights leave a lot to be desired – namely light output. In particular, the halogen lamps on the Wrangler and Cherokee have been called out by the IIHS as among the worst on the market. Things should improve for 2017, as Jeep is addressing the sorry illumination by adding LED or HID headlight options for the Wrangler, Cherokee, and Renegade. Thank heavens (or, you know, the IIHS for upping its lighting requirements). In the Wrangler's case, the decision to develop an LED for a single model year of the JK before its replacement arrives – or two if you count the extended run of the current model alongside the new one – might seem strange, but we aren't complaining. The current headlights are one retro cue that sorely needed eradicating, plus this almost guarantees LEDs for the next-gen model. Any 2017 Wrangler can be equipped with the new LED headlights and fog lights – the LED lighting group will be optional on the Sport and Sport S, and standard on Sahara and Rubicon. The Cherokee is a slightly different story – HID headlights are currently optional on that model's Limited and High Altitude trims and standard on the range-topping Overland. Next year, the brighter, more focused lamps will be standard on everything but the base Sport model, where they'll be optional. For the wee Renegade, meanwhile, HIDs are a "late availability" option as part of the safety and security group on Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trim levels. If you want a 2017 Renegade Sport with the better lights, though, you're out of luck. Jeep hasn't announced pricing for its 2017 offerings, so we don't know what sort of premium the LED and HID headlamps will add. We just know that whatever the price, it will be worth it. And you can bet each unit will have some sort of Easter egg Jeep design detail on it. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited View 14 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Jeep Cherokee View 54 Photos Related Gallery 2017 Jeep Renegade View 49 Photos News Source: JeepImage Credit: Jeep Jeep Crossover SUV Off-Road Vehicles headlights jeep renegade

Feds chastise Marchionne over Jeep recall, only 13% repaired so far

Following the significant outcry surrounding the General Motors and Takata airbag safety crises this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seems to be taking a much more aggressive role in pushing owners to repair their recalled vehicles. In the agency's latest move, it's urging Jeep drivers to get their models fixed. Acting NHTSA administrator David Friedman even sent a letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne pressing him to get more of the SUVs fixed. The problem goes back to the recall of the 2002-2007 Liberty and 1993-1998 Grand Cherokee because of the possibility for the fuel tank to rupture in some rear crashes. The campaign affected over 1.5 million vehicles, but Chrysler initially refused NHTSA's request for a repair campaign. The automaker eventually came up with a fix that involved adding a trailer hitch to provide extra protection to the tank. The feds believe the danger "will be reduced by the remedy now offered by Chrysler," according to the statement. However, this latest push comes out of NHTSA's concern that only three percent of the affected vehicles are repaired, although Chrysler maintains some 13.4 percent have actually been fixed. The agency is asking the automaker to reach out to owners "proactively," and get them to bring the Jeeps in dealers. According to the the feds' statement, the company "has nearly 400,000 parts available" to perform the fixes, and it's still producing more. Friedman's letter to Marchionne goes even further, alleging NHTSA has received reports that dealers are turning customers away who request the recall. He asks the CEO to prove within 15 days that these claims are false. "Given the low rates of repair that Chrysler has reported more than a year after the recall, significantly more aggressive steps are required," says a portion of the note. According to The Detroit News, Chrysler has subsequently promised to speed up the recall work, vowing that all dealers will have at least 12 repair kits in stock by Monday. Further, it has announced plans to ramp up its notification campaign with Facebook ads and public service announcements. Scroll down to read NHTSA's full statement on the matter, and Friedman's letter to Marchionne can be read in PDF format, here.

Weekly Recap: Jaguar takes a leap with price cut, new strategy

Jaguar was one of the famous automotive props and plotlines in the now-iconic drama Mad Men. There's a scene where the show's protagonist, Don Draper, deftly undercuts an influential Jaguar dealer by indicating that get-me-in-the-door local radio spots would be an effective way to sell cars like the slinky E-Type. The British executives think this is folly – Draper knows they will – and his advertising strategy wins out over the dealer's approach to move the metal. Jaguar's not doing that, but half a century later in the real world the company is launching plans to make its cars more attainable to new and younger customers like Millenials. These aren't coupons, but this is a leap for Jaguar, which has long banked on sexy styling and its rich motorsports history to overshadow its past mechanical flaws. Put simply, Jaguar is addressing the reasons why people, especially the younger set, don't buy its cars. The 2017 XE will start at $35,895 when it launches next spring – which makes it an attractive buy for a successful, relatively young person. When it's time to move up, the redesigned XF will be more attainable, coming in at $52,895, which is $5,275 less than the 2015 model. The flagship XJ sedan and the enthusiast-oriented F-Type sports car will also get thousands of dollars worth of added standard features, and Jag is actively pitching them as a better value than their competitors. "The Jaguar brand is on the eve of a major transformation that will see it dramatically increase its presence in the United States luxury marketplace with an expanded lineup, pricing focused on the core of the luxury market, and an all-new ownership package with best-in-class coverage," Joe Eberhardt, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover North America, said in a statement. The brand's quality and reliability dings have also lurked in the back of buyers' minds for decades, though that's an outdated notion. Jaguar placed third in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Study in June and was the top-ranked luxury brand in J.D. Power's Customer Service Index in March. Not content, the company is rolling out an enhanced program called Jaguar EliteCare that launches on 2016 models. It offers a five-year, 60,000-mile limited warranty, the longest among its competitors, with free scheduled maintenance during that period. The plan also covers roadside assistance and connectivity features.