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Jeep Wrangler JK's exit interview: brilliant, flaws and all

The engineers at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Jeep's current steward (and there have been many), have to be sweating bullets as they ready the forthcoming, long-overdue replacement for the Wrangler. It's the brand's icon, its most recognizable vehicle, and the reason Jeep enjoys such success today. Most brands use their flagships to lure shoppers who will then take home a more practical, pedestrian model. Think about the relationship between Corvettes and Malibus in the Chevy showroom. For Jeep, however, the Wrangler is a business unto itself: Nearly one in four Jeeps sold new last year was a Wrangler. That's a lot of pressure as Jeep gears up to replace the current model, codenamed JK, which has been on the road since 2007. I took a Wrangler into the woods to ponder it all. The Wrangler lineup starts around $26,000 but climbs rapidly from there. At the upper end of the spectrum sits the Rubicon Hard Rock, which builds on the already capable Rubicon's locking differentials and electronic front sway bar disconnect with a host of styling goodies. At $43,325 as tested, the Hard Rock is no cheap trail toy. Wranglers have gotten more comfortable and capable over the years, but driving one is still an exercise in compromises. Luxury here means durable leather upholstery and a lot of bass from the stereo. The driving experience is of the "well, it's better than it used to be" variety on pavement. The rational buy in this segment is the Toyota 4Runner Trail, which goes off-road almost as well as the Jeep and does everything else way better. But nobody takes home a Wrangler because it makes sense. It's a middle finger extended in the direction of conformity while fording the river of beige Corollas between home and office. You don't need a Wrangler, but you probably want one. That's why Jeep sold more than twice as many Wranglers as Toyota did 4Runners last year – and the 4Runner sells well. Wrangler sales aren't slipping, but increasingly stringent emissions and safety standards are signs of the inevitable forward march of progress – and so Wrangler must change with the times. Simple ways to improve the Wrangler are obvious: An updated interior with a modern infotainment system, user-selectable traction control modes tailored to specific terrain conditions, an eight-speed automatic, better aerodynamics, and a lot of weight-saving aluminum are inevitable.

This Jeep Forward Control is incredibly clean, for sale

Jeep loves going all out on its Moab Easter Safari concept cars. This year was no exception; aside from an insane 707-horsepower Wrangler, the plucky little FC-150 was the star of the show. Of course, it was artfully restored and given plenty of love before the annual, off-road adventure. Sadly, you can't buy a brand new FC-150 from Jeep anymore, or even any sort of pickup truck for that matter. No, the last time you were able to buy an FC-150 was way back when in 1965. Thankfully, at least one dealer recognized the heritage of this stunning little machine, and has listed a pristine example for sale on eBay for sale on eBay. This one was built in 1958, and only 11,595 miles read on the odometer. That's insanely low for a car this old and this rare. The President Red and Plantation white exterior looks straight from the factory, as do the wheels and tires. Though, you have to imagine that most everything on this car has been restored considerably given the lifespan, even without the dealer outright saying it. Four-wheel drive and a four-speed manual gearbox come standard; there's even a spare tire in case things go wrong on the trail. The cherry on top being the stunningly clean, no-nonsense interior. It's about as factory fresh one might get in a 60-year old Jeep. With a current bid of $14,600 (per this writing), it's not even that expensive. If you're looking to snag a handsome piece of Jeep history, look no further than this. But hurry, there are only a few hours left to bid. Related Video: This article originally appeared on Boldride.com. Jeep Auctions Truck SUV Off-Road Vehicles Classics eBay

Jeep spied testing new compact crossover

Jeep is preparing a new crossover to slot in between the Renegade and Cherokee. Spied here for the first time, the new model is expected to arrive sometime around the middle of the new year. And with it, FCA's off-road brand will finally have a successor for the Compass and Patriot. From the little bit we can project at this early stage, the new C-segment Jeep is expected to ride on a modified version of the platform that underpins the Renegade and Fiat 500X. Motivation is tipped to come from the company's new 2.0-liter turbocharged Hurricane inline-four mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. We expect it to come in front and all-wheel-drive versions. The big question mark at this point is what the vehicle will be called. As the replacement for both the Compass and the Patriot, this model could adopt either nameplate – or it could wear a new one entirely. If the Renegade and 500X are anything to go by, the new Jeep could be offered as a Fiat as well, which could easily be dubbed the 500XL. We'll have to wait and see, but in the meantime you can check out the prototype – albeit in camouflaged form – in the image gallery above. Related Video: