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Jeep marks 75th anniversary in Detroit with special editions

It's been 75 years since the Jeep brand was founded. To celebrate the occasion, the sport-ute manufacturer has rolled out an array of six special editions – one for each model in its lineup. And they've each marked their debut here in Detroit. The 75th Anniversary Editions of the Wrangler, Renegade, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, and Patriot are all decked out in green – though the exact shade differs between models, and they can be ordered in different colors for those who prefer. Either way, the bodywork is offset by bronze trim, mesh fabric interiors, and all the special-edition badges you could ask for. And in true Jeep style, they all offer some degree of open-airedness, even if that just means a sunroof. Of course, bringing back the Wrangler pickup and Grand Wagoneer – both of which are planned for this milestone year – would be agreeable as well, as would a Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee SRT. But for now these special editions strike us as suitable a way as any to celebrate three quarters of a century of rock-crawling. Check 'em out in the gallery above of live images from the floor of the Detroit Auto Show for a closer look before they reach dealers in the first quarter of this year. THE JEEP® BRAND CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF LEGENDARY HISTORY WITH FULL LINEUP OF NEW SPECIAL-EDITION MODELS - New 75th Anniversary models available across entire Jeep® lineup - Special-edition vehicles feature unique available Jeep Green exterior, Satin Bronze wheels, Bronze and Orange exterior accents, unique interiors, open-air freedom and 75th Anniversary badging - Available in Jeep dealer showrooms first quarter 2016 January 6, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Born in 1941, the Jeep® brand celebrates 75 years of 4x4 leadership, military history, and open-air freedom and adventure in 2016. As a tribute to this diamond anniversary celebration, Jeep is creating distinctive, 75th Anniversary special-edition models of each vehicle in its lineup. "Jeep vehicles have defined the authentic SUV and set the benchmark for off-road capability and freedom since they were first produced in 1941," said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global. "Today, Jeep SUVs continue to deliver 4x4 leadership, as well as fuel efficiency, world-class craftsmanship and premium on-road dynamics.

Jeep Grand Wagoneer could top out at $130,000

Jeep's image presents a blue-collar, American brand that builds SUVs for Average Joe drivers, nevermind the thousands of $40,000 Wrangler Unlimited that sell every year. But a revived Grand Wagoneer could push Jeep prices into a whole new realm. Eventually. Speaking to AutoExpress, Jeep boss Mike Manley confirmed "the Grand Wagoneer concept is moving forward," and that its price could reach levels previously unheard of from the brand. "I don't think there's a maximum price ceiling per se for Jeep. If you look at the upper end of the segment in the US, for me, the Grand Wagoneer done well can compete all the way through this segment," Manley told AE. "I'll use US dollars, but pushing the car up to $130,000 to $140,000 may be possible, but we need to establish Grand Wagoneer in its own right first. That's why I wouldn't say there's price ceiling." That's about twice as much as Jeep's current most-expensive model, the $66,690 Grand Cherokee SRT. Hell, it's more than a Dodge Viper ACR, and is roughly on par with a base Maserati GranTurismo. But while getting wrapped up in the idea of a six-figure Jeep is easy, Manley's argument that his brand needs to establish the new model first is more important. It absolutely does not sound like Jeep will introduce the reborn Grand Wagoneer with a trim near $130,000. Instead, we bet the new flagship model will kick off between $50,000 and $60,000, right near the top of where the brand currently plays. That lets Jeep undercut entry level versions of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and GMC Yukon Denali without giving brand loyalists sticker shock. After establishing the Grand Wagoneer, to use Manley's parlance, Jeep can afford to push higher and challenge the base level Range Rover, which starts around $85,000. Only after that can we expect Manley's hypothesizing to come true. So yeah, while a $130,000 Jeep sounds like a possibility, we wouldn't expect it for at least a few model years after the Grand Wagoneer's big debut. Related Video:

2018 Jeep Wrangler owner’s manuals leaked, and they tell us much — but not all

If you're looking for some light reading to start your week, we have a suggestion for you. The " Owner's Manual" and the " User Guide" for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler have leaked, and have been posted on the JL Wrangler Forums. They appear to be the real deal. There's a ton of information, and many pages to pore over, but here's a little bit of what we've gleaned so far. The documents (assuming they're not just some very elaborate and convincing hoax) confirm the power sliding top, which is not removable, though the rear quarter windows are. We're not seeing any mention of a power soft top, though. There are instructions on door removal, as well as folding down the windshield. The manuals also confirm a 4WD Auto mode that shifts power between the front and rear axles as needed. What we don't appear to have yet are complete specifications. The manuals mention the 2.0-liter and 3.6-liter engines, but not their output figures. The 2.0-liter recommends premium fuel, while the 3.6-liter only needs 87 octane. Towing capacity for the two-door models is 2,000 pounds, while the four-door versions are capable of 3,500 pounds. The manuals also provide a lot of images, if you're interested in seeing the nitty gritty details of the Wrangler's various functions. Take a look, and make sure to post any interesting findings in the comments section, below. Related Video: