1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Factory Sunroof, Lifted, New Tires on 2040-cars

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Jeep adds top-level, $35,690 Cherokee Overland trim [UPDATE]

UPDATE: We initially received incorrect pricing information. FCA says the Cherokee Overland will cost $35,690, including $995 for destination. If you want a more luxurious Jeep, you buy a Grand Cherokee Overland or Summit. But if the idea of dropping $45,000 to $51,000 gives you pause, you'll welcome the news that FCA's off-road brand will introduce a luxury-oriented version of its smaller, more affordable Cherokee. The new Cherokee Overland incorporates a number of cosmetic changes. All of the black plastic body elements have been replaced with body-colored items, improving the overall aesthetic. Jeep fitted handsome, polished 18-inch wheels along with chrome trim on the upper and lower grilles, and the halogen headlights have been swapped with standard bi-xenon units. Previously, the HID headlights were only available as part of an $1,845 Luxury Pack on the Cherokee Limited. In the cabin, the biggest change is found on the seats, where Nappa leather comes standard along with heating and ventilation functions. The steering wheel gets Zebrano wood trim, and instrument panel is wrapped in leather. Beyond that, the Overland is unsurprisingly well-equipped, with an Alpine Premium Audio system, FCA's excellent 8.4-inch UConnect system with navigation, and blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert. The three big optional extras include the Cherokee's 3.2-liter V6, the Jeep Active Drive II all-wheel-drive system, and the Technology Group (auto high beams, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, park assist, adaptive cruise, front and rear park assist with rear stop, and automatic windshield wipers). Owners will also be able to snag a sunroof and a couple of smaller items, like a wireless charging pad. Prices for the Cherokee Overland start at $35,690 (including destination) with sales to begin this spring. Read on for the official announcement from Jeep. Jeep® Expands Cherokee Lineup with Premium Overland Model • New 2016 Jeep® Cherokee Overland debuts at New England International Auto Show • More premium Jeep Cherokee model boasts an unmatched combination of luxury and capability in the mid-size SUV segment • Cherokee Overland delivers sophisticated styling, a well-appointed interior, a long list of premium standard features, and legendary Jeep capability • New premium Cherokee Overland available in Jeep showrooms this spring • Jeep Cherokee sales increased 23 percent in 2015 BOSTON, Jan.

Ford will put solid axles under the Bronco as the off-roading gods intended

We've been wondering what sort of creature the Bronco would be since we first heard of the thing last October, when a union chairman spilled the beans on the SUV and the Ranger pickup. Ford confirmed a 2020 arrival date for the Bronco at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, but at that point pretty much all we were sure of was that the Ranger and Bronco would be returning. The open question would be how hungry Ford was to spoil the Jeep Wrangler's solo party as a compact(ish) off-roader with dual solid axles, since the easiest thing would be to carry over the suspension design of the presumably related international Ford Ranger and its Everest SUV version: independent front suspension with either a leaf- (Ranger) or coil-suspended (Everest) solid rear axle. Enter Dana, the long-time supplier of Jeep stick axles, to confirm that the 2020 Bronco is getting a pair of them. That means solid axles front and rear, just like under a Wrangler. So reports Automotive News, citing an investor presentation from Dana. All signs so far, such as the report that the Bronco would be engineered by the same team in Australia that created the Ranger pickup, indicated that the Bronco would share a platform with the Ranger and thus be body-on-frame. The solid axle confirmation essentially confirms that theory. Some off-road-capable vehicles have paired solid axles with unibody frames, like the Jeep Cherokee (XJ generation) and Grand Cherokee (ZJ and WJ generations), but they are outliers. Generally, if you've got solid axles at both ends, they're going in a vehicle with a ladder frame. It also lends credence to the notion that our Bronco won't simply be an imported Everest, which might be too understated to stand out from lesser crossovers anyways. This is good news if you have Blue Oval in your blood and pine for a modern SUV that'll show up the Jeep guys on the trail. Less directly, it could mean a wholesale assault on the formula that makes Jeeps successful in the first place: the massive aftermarket of off-roading equipment and dress-up bits that appeal to Jeep buyers almost as much as a Trail Rated badge. At a minimum, Bronco enthusiasts can breathe easy that the reborn SUV won't merely be a light-duty crossover with styling "inspired" by true off-roaders. There's still a lot left to learn about the Bronco. Keep up to date with our running summary of everything we know about the returning off-roader.

Stellantis reveals STLA Large platform with EV and ICE support

Hot on the heels of a Jeep Wagoneer S teaser and photos of the prototype next-generation Dodge Charger (or Challenger), comes a reveal and details of what will likely underpin both of them: the STLA Large platform. It's one of multiple Stellantis flexible architectures that will be the basis of its upcoming electric cars, and apparently internal combustion ones, too. Stellantis says the STLA Large platform will be for D- and E-segment cars, crossovers and SUVs. In other words, it will be for midsize and large vehicles. For reference, lengths supported will be from 187.6 to 201.8 inches, and width will range from 74.7 to 79.9 inches. It will be highly flexible, too, with Stellantis claiming significant amounts of adjustability in overhangs, wheelbase, suspension placement and powertrain arrangement. The powertrain flexibility is quite impressive. Front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive layouts will be supported. Single- and dual-motor layouts will be on offer. Internal combustion will be available, too, either on its own or as a hybrid. Apparently engines can be fitted either longitudinally or transversely, too. Battery packs with between 85 and 118 kWh of capacity will be offered, with Stellantis claiming that sedan-style vehicles could have a range of up to 500 miles. The packs will also be available in 400- and 800-volt designs. Stellantis noted also that the platform can "easily accept future energy storage technologies when they reach production readiness." This seems to hint that the company is looking at different battery chemistries and maybe even solid-state batteries that could be added more easily in the future. Furthermore, the platform is designed to handle impressive output. Stellantis says that some models on the platform will have 0-to-62 mph times in the 2-second range. Limited-slip differentials for improved power delivery and wheel-end disconnects for reduced mechanical drag are also on the table for this platform. All of these details fit well with the information previously given for the concept Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee and Jeep Wagoneer S. The former was previewed with both battery voltage architectures and a wide range of electric powertrains with between 456 and 670 horsepower depending on specification and upgrades. And that's just for the 400-volt system; the 800-volt option wasn't detailed. We've also seen photos of the Charger chassis seemingly with provisions for gas engines, likely versions of the Hurricane I6.