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Jeep Wrangler Scrambler pickup spied in tough-looking off-road trim

More Jeep Wrangler Scrambler spy shots have surfaced. This time we're looking at a pair of Scramblers that are far closer to production. The shot of the interior through the window is the first time a Scrambler has been caught with the new Wrangler JL interior — not the JK. This one has the black seats with red trim combo currently offered on the JL Rubicon. In addition to that, one of the trucks was sporting some knobby Falken off-road tires sized at 285/70R17. This plus the interior means we're most likely looking at a Scrambler Rubicon. The other Scrambler has normal road tires fitted, indicating a Sport trim. Off-roaders can rejoice even more too. Rock rails on both trims are new additions to the prototype vehicles — not even the broken up Scrambler we saw on the Rubicon trail a few weeks ago had rails. As a reminder, the Wrangler Scrambler pickup is expected to be based on a long wheelbase version of the JL Wrangler Unlimited. Engines choices will include the 3.6-liter V6, a diesel option and possibly even a hybrid eventually. It's no surprise the Scrambler keeps popping up in spy shots, as it's expected to be revealed later this year, then on sale in 2019. We'll be watching closely until then for more details as they leak, so stay tuned. Related Video:

New Jeep Wrangler pickup spy shots reveal suspension and tire details

Most of the spy shots we've received of the Wrangler pickup have been from a bird's-eye perspective. However this time, one of our spy photographers got up close to the truck at ground level. The new view shows us some interesting details regarding the truck's suspension, as well as the placement of the spare tire. Immediately evident is that the Wrangler pickup will have the same sort of suspension design as its SUV sibling. Solid axles are employed at the front and rear, and it appears that the rear axle is coil-sprung, since there are no leaf springs nor shackles present underneath. The photos also reveal that the truck won't have a tailgate-mounted spare tire like the SUV. Instead, it will have a more traditional truck location beneath the bed. Few other new details can be seen from the spy photos. This prototype sports the same production-style bed we've previously seen. The photos also really show just how long this Wrangler pickup is. With such a long wheelbase and rear overhang, the pickup will have more difficulty with hills than the bed-less versions. Of course, it will also be able to carry more than those Wranglers. We expect it go on sale in late 2019 based on previous reports. Related Video:

Fiat Chrysler CEO says final merger talks with Peugeot going well

BRUSSELS — Fiat Chrysler's chief executive Michael Manley said on Wednesday that merger talks with Peugeot owner PSA  to create the world's No. 4 carmaker are progressing well and he hopes to have a deal within 12-14 months. Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of an industry meeting, he said he doesn't expect any major obstacles that could delay a final agreement. "Talks are progressing really well," Manley said about negotiations with the French carmaker ahead of a briefing by the European automotive association (ACEA), of which he is president. His comments come a month after the two carmakers agreed to a binding deal worth about $50 billion to combine forces in response to a slowdown in global demand and mounting costs of making cleaner vehicles amid tighter emissions regulations. Manley's timeline for completing the deal by early 2021 is in line with a forecast made by the companies in December. Fiat and Peugeot are now getting into the details of how the merger will work, including choosing which vehicle platforms — the technological underpinnings of a vehicle — will fit which products in a combined company. Because customers in different locations still prefer vastly different cars, there is room for multiple platforms in a combined group, Manley said. "That global platform is an elusive beast," he added. "This concept of a massive global platform in my mind is almost a myth, but that doesnÂ’t mean to say weÂ’re not going to recruit significant volume." Related Video: