2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland on 2040-cars

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Rumor has it the new Grand Wagoneer has been cancelled, but we're not so sure

This just doesn't seem to add up. Autoline Daily is reporting that plans for a new top Jeep, a reimagined Grand Wagoneer to sit above the Grand Cherokee, have been scrapped. The info comes from Auto Forecast Solutions, an industry analyst company. The Grand Wagoneer was expected to use a stretched version of the next Grand Cherokee's platform, but it reportedly won't accept the larger vehicle. The report implies that the next Grand Cherokee will use a version of the current Grand Cherokee's unibody platform, which is about what we expected. The thing is, the current Grand Cherokee shares its platform with the (longer) Dodge Durango, as well as Mercedes-Benz's GLE and GLS SUVs (remember the DaimlerChrysler days?). It's possible the Wagoneer was supposed to be wider as well as longer, and that the Durango's stretch just wasn't enough, but it seems odd that this is just now coming to light. We have already seen sketches of the new Grand Wagoneer, purported to have leaked out of an FCA dealer meeting. Jeep's CEO has discussed the (high) price the new utility would command. It just seems like a lot of thought went into the vehicle already, thought that wouldn't be put forward if someone hadn't looked into the feasibility of actually building it. The report (the one that says the thing has been cancelled) also says FCA might regroup and build the GW as a body-on-frame SUV on the Ram 1500 platform. That also seems unlikely, since this is supposed to be a luxurious, refined vehicle that's nicer than the Grand Cherokee. It would be tough to accomplish all of that with a ladder frame underneath, and it's just not the way the industry is going, let alone the Jeep brand. We'll keep an eye on this one. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Jeep Grand Wagoneer Dealer Leak Spy Shots News Source: Autoline Daily Rumormill Jeep Crossover Luxury

What would you drive in 1985?

Bereft of live baseball games to watch, I've turned to the good ship YouTube to watch classic games. While watching the 1985 American League Championship Series last night, several of the broadcast's commercials made its way into the original VHS recording, including those for cars. "Only 8.8% financing on a 1985 Ford Tempo!" What a deal! That got me thinking: what would I drive in 1985?  It sure wouldn't be a Tempo. Or an IROC-Z, for that matter, despite what my Photoshopped 1980s self would indicate in the picture above. I posed this question to my fellow Autobloggists. Only one could actually drive back then, I was only 2 and a few editors weren't even close to being born. Here are our choices, which were simply made with the edict of "Come on, man, be realistic."  West Coast Editor James Riswick: OK, I started this, I'll go first. I like coupes today, so I'm pretty sure I'd drive one back then. I definitely don't see myself driving some badge-engineered GM thing from 1985, and although a Honda Prelude has a certain appeal, I must admit that something European would likely be in order. A BMW maybe? No, I'm too much a contrarian for that. The answer is therefore a 1985 Saab 900 Turbo 3-Door, which is not only a coupe but a hatchback, too. If I could scrounge up enough Reagan-era bucks for the ultra-cool SPG model, that would be rad. The 900 Turbo pictured, which was for auction on Bring a Trailer a few years ago, came with plum-colored Bokhara Red, and you're damn sure I would've had me one of those. Nevermind 1985, I'd probably drive this thing today.   Associate Editor Byron Hurd: I'm going to go with the 1985.5 Ford Mustang SVO, AKA the turbocharged Fox Body that everybody remembers but nobody drives. The mid-year update to the SVO bumped the power up from 175 ponies (yeah, yeah) to 205, making it almost as powerful (on paper, anyway) as the V8-powered GT models offered in the same time frame. I chose this particular car because it's a bit of a time capsule and, simultaneously, a reminder that all things are cyclical. Here we are, 35 years later, and 2.3-liter turbocharged Mustangs are a thing again. Who would have guessed?

2019 Jeep Wrangler Moab order guide reveals plush, spendy trim

At the end of last year, members at the JLWrangler Forum first discovered a Moab sticker kit in the Fiat Chrysler parts catalog. A few weeks ago, the same forum found a Moab edition 2018 Wrangler near FCA HQ. The previous JK series Jeep Wrangler offered a Moab edition, based on the Sahara platform, but priced and positioned between the Sahara and Rubicon trims. JLWrangler Forum members have now found the order guide for the new Moab edition, showing the same build philosophy but a bigger price. Only available on the four-door Unlimited bodystyle with the 3.6-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic, the option is said to retail for $51,200 before a $1,495 destination fee. That's $52,695 out-the-door. That puts you at $8,200 over the price of a Rubicon with the eight-speed automatic, but the Moab has a different aim. As Jeep's website says, the Sahara targets those who want "a clean, polished look that's at home wherever you take it," whereas the Rubicon is for those who need to get an extreme kind of dirty. The Moab shoots the middle, going after Sahara buyers who want their additional premium equipment wrapped in real-deal rugged looks. To work that effect, outside there'll be the dual-vent Rubicon hood, LED lighting, a steel front bumper, black tow hooks front and back, a body-colored hardtop, and Mopar rock rails. The order guide lists hood decals, which would be a new item for the vented Rubicon unit. The Moab sits on 17-inch, low-gloss black Rubicon-style wheels instead of the standard 18-inch polished aluminum wheels with Tech Gray spokes, and 33-inch BFG Mud Terrain KM2 tires. That tire choice is novel, because Rubicon comes on 33-inch BGF ALL-Terrain KO2s. The Selec-Trac 4x4 system pairs with the Anti-Spin limited slip differential, both of them normally options on the Sahara. Inside there'll be the 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system piped through a nine-speaker Alpine audio system. Comfort treats include keyless entry and remote start, Mopar hardtop headliner, leather seats and leather interior group, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Jeep throws in blind-spot monitoring with cross-path detection and the ParkSense parking assist, and for a adventurous touch, there are Mopar all-weather floor mats. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.