2008 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon on 2040-cars

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Jeep's 3-row crossover SUV caught inside and out

Jeep is continuing to test its upcoming three-row full-size crossover, as evidenced by new spy photos shown above. Though the exterior doesn't reveal much new, we do get our first look at the inside of the new SUV. Unfortunately, the interior is well-camouflaged. We can tell it has the same corporate steering wheel and shifter as found on other Jeeps such as the Grand Cherokee. It also has highly-stylized gauges and needles, with an LCD display between the two main dials. The gauge cluster is interesting with a dial layout that is completely different from the two-row Grand Cherokee and the three-row Dodge Durango, indicating it doesn't borrow much on the inside from those vehicles. The tachometer is clearly visible, too, and it shows a redline of about 5,500 rpm. That redline corresponds with the turbocharged four-cylinder found in the Wrangler, Cherokee, and, in single-overhead-cam form, the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio. So it seems this big Jeep may have that four-cylinder engine, probably in the twin-cam Jeep iteration. This would also match previous reports, but we're sure if there will be other engine options. Based on leaked images of the SUV, it bears a passing resemblance to the Jeep Yuntu concept that was shown in China in April 2017. Those leaked images also reveal the name "Grand Commander." Many of the leaks and information about the big Jeep have been related to China, but with automakers such as Subaru and Volkswagen expanding into large three-row SUVs, we wouldn't be surprised if the big Jeep comes here, too. We could also see it carrying the old Grand Wagoneer name. Related Video:

FCA delays Grand Wagoneer and next-generation heavy-duty Ram trucks

The upcoming Jeep Grand Wagoneer has had a tumultuous gestation thus far. At one point it was essentially confirmed, but later it was rumored to have been cancelled. In that context, the latest report from Automotive News is something of a mixed blessing. According to the publication, the Grand Wagoneer has simply been delayed, as has the next-generation Ram heavy duty truck line. This does not seem to affect the fully redesigned Ram 1500, which was previously reported to have been pushed back slightly to 2019. Automotive News says the information came from unnamed sources at the company. Nothing was said about how long the vehicles would be delayed. The publication also conjectures that FCA is delaying the models to save some money to help cover the company's $7 billion of debt , since re-tooling both the heavy-duty truck plant and eventual Grand Wagoneer plant will be expensive. View 6 Photos We reached out to Chrysler for more information on the subject, but the company wouldn't comment on the report. Even so, we wouldn't be too surprised if FCA is indeed delaying these products. The company has delayed a number of vehicles in recent years. In fact nearly every major FCA truck and SUV, including the Grand Wagoneer and Ram line, were delayed about a year and a half ago. We certainly hope the company doesn't delay the Grand Wagoneer for too long, since it's possible it will have a price tag of over $130,000. The profit margins on an SUV with that kind of MSRP would go a long way to helping to pay down the company's debt. Related Video:

Jeep 'trailer hitch' recall repair rates lag amidst reports of new death

The problem with exploding fuel tanks in the 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty in some rear collisions continues to be a problem for FCA US, formerly Chrysler. The campaign to fix the utility vehicles was first announced in June 2013 after 51 claimed fatalities, and the fixes reportedly began in January 2014. However, there continue to be new deaths blaming the problem in unrepaired models, according to The Detroit News, citing data from the Center for Auto Safety. The automaker initially refused NHTSA's pressuring to conduct a recall because the models met applicable crash standards when they were manufactured, but eventually, there was a compromise to inspect and fix about 1.56 million Jeeps. With the fuel tank located between the rear axle and bumper, the unusual fix was to install a trailer hitch for extra protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration later agreed that the change would provide added safety in lower to medium speed crashes, but not high-speed crashes. The most recent fatality, according to The Detroit News, occurred on a Michigan freeway in November 2014 when a pregnant woman in a 2003 Liberty was rear-ended when traffic slowed. Her Jeep impacted the vehicle in front, rolled over and a fire resulted. The family reportedly plans to file a lawsuit against FCA. At issue has been the rate at which the vehicles are being fixed. In July 2014, the automaker estimated it could have all of the vehicles repaired by March 2015 thanks to additional hitch supplies. But by November, NHTSA claimed that only three percent of the recalled models had been fixed. FCA says it continues to work to notify owners, though. According to Chrysler spokesperson Eric Mayne to Autoblog, "We are processing approximately 1,200 vehicles per day. Every owner who schedules service is receiving service. As of Jan. 8, that total was 193,490." The company has also mailed out over two million notifications to owners, more than the number officially called in. Given the age of these Jeeps, many of them have had multiple owners, and historically, the older a vehicle is, the less likely the recall fixes are to be carried out. FCA is currently creating a video urging people to have the hitch installed to be released soon. News Source: The Detroit News [1], [2]Image Credit: Jeep Recalls Jeep Safety SUV FCA jeep liberty jeep safety