2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee on 2040-cars

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2014 Jeep Cherokee: June 2014

I got a text message from Editor-In-Chief Sharon Carty one afternoon proclaiming that her new favorite SUV is our long-term 2014 Jeep Cherokee. And she's not alone. I'm not sure if anyone else on staff would go so far as to use the "favorite" descriptor, but after just over a month of honeymooning with our new long-termer, it's safe to say that the Jeep is quickly finding its way into the good graces of a number of Autoblog staffers.
There's good reason for all that praise, too. Thus far, the Jeep has proven itself to be incredibly competent and comfortable for daily life - it's functional, quiet, and packed with a host of amenities that make it easy to live with. It's been wholly trouble-free (with less than 4,000 miles on the clock as of this writing, it ought to be), but even nitpicks have been few and far between.

2014 Jeep Cherokee uncovered with bold new look

Jeep has been shuttling around Alfa Romeo-based test mules and camouflaged prototypes of its replacement for the current Liberty for some time now. Those heavily disguised vehicles may have offered a glimpse of the new Jeep, but a new set of production-line images from Jalopnik tell a much more complete story.
Jalopnik report indicates unequivocally that the Cherokee name will be re-upped in place of Liberty, though it doesn't spell out exactly where that thinking comes from, though a name change has been rumored for some time. Chances are good that the same source that delivered these factory images delivered the name, as well.
The Cherokee absolutely has some Alfa Romeo DNA in its makeup, the final product is far from looking like its Guilietta ancestor. The athletic, high-waisted design is relatively attractive from what we can see here, though the grille and headlight treatment are sure to cause a lot of ruckus when the Cherokee makes its official debut at the New York Auto Show in April. The very narrow, pointed headlamps are pinched in a not particularly Jeep-ish fashion, and the curved, short version of the seven-slot grille is far more rakish than anything that Jeep has produced to date.

Jeep's 75th Anniversary Wrangler Salute rolls down the line

UPDATE: The commemorative 75th Anniversary Jeep Wrangler rolled down the assembly line in Toledo, Ohio today. With its roll bar, doors, and rear seat removed, it really does pay fitting tribute to the classic Willy military models of the past. The 419 area code stenciled on the bumper and date on the hood look period appropriate. Well done, Jeep. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when the Jeep Wrangler was born, but the automaker claims the legendary off-roader as we know it today was officially created in 1941. On July 15th of that year, the US Government awarded Willys-Overland with a contract to build the Willys MB, which quickly got the nickname "jeep". To commemorate its 75th anniversary, Jeep has created a WWII-themed Wrangler that pays homage to the Willys MB. The gorgeous concept most likely won't see the road, which is a shame as the rugged one-off yanks at the heartstrings of truck enthusiasts and historians alike. Based on of the current Wrangler Sport, the olive-drab Wrangler 75th Salute concept imitates the original Willys MB to the tee. The concept has no B-pillars, no doors, no roll bars and honors the "function over form" styling of the original military vehicle. The concept rides on 16-inch steel wheels that are wrapped in 32-inch non-directional tires and features vintage-looking hood latches, steel front and rear bumpers with tow hooks, and low back canvas seats. The Salute concept will be built on the same assembly line in Toledo, OH that has produced the Wrangler for decades. In addition to putting out an image of the concept, Jeep also touched on the rich history of the original Willys MB, which you can read below. Related Video: In July 1940, the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a "light reconnaissance vehicle" to replace the Army's motorcycle and modified Ford Model-T vehicles. The Army invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including a 600-lb. load capacity, wheelbase less than 75 inches, height less than 36 inches, smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 miles per hour, rectangular-shaped body, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case, fold-down windshield, three bucket seats, blackout and driving lights and a gross vehicle weight below 1,300 lbs.