Yet another “seemingly relevant” comparo is made here with the Jeep SRT8. This time it’s the Chevy Trailblazer SS. While it might be the model most suited to compare to Jeep’s heavy-hitter, it’s not in the same league.

The article is so-so, but until someone gets the two of these onto a drag strip and road course, this is as good as it gets…

As is the case with the SSR, the Trailblazer SS is saddled with a prehistoric four-speed automatic transmission. And unlike the SSR, the Trailblazer isn’t offered with a manual transmission. Shifts are slow and jerky, and the transmission downshifts with the slightest brush of the accelerator. Those downshifts aren’t smooth, either. Senior editor Joe Lorio elaborates: “There are mile-wide gaps between the gears and none of the sophisticated electronic controls [you find on many vehicles] that adjust the engine throttle to smooth out shifting. Consequently, any shift made with urgency causes a heaving ripple effect through the car.” The truck’s 395 horsepower can’t get to the ground with any urgency because of the long first-gear ratio, so city driving in the SS is hardly different than it is in the weaker, short-wheelbase, 5.3-liter V-8-powered vehicles offered on the same GM platform. In contrast to the Jeep, the Chevy is better to drive on winding roads, where it is able to stay in the power band of one gear. But even there, the spotlight doesn’t burn brightly on the SS…

Read the full story after the jump to automobilemag.com

IRVINE, Calif. — Land Rover revealed the all- new LR2 that enters the compact premium SUV market with outstanding breadth of capability and Land Rover’s signature technologies.

The fourth new model from Land Rover in just four years, LR2 joins the impressive line-up of Range Rover (2002), Land Rover LR3 (2004) and Range Rover Sport (2005) that together have seen record-breaking sales performance around the world.

New from the ground up, LR2 delivers outstanding on-road performance as well as the class-leading off-road ability of a Land Rover. A dynamic design, purposeful stance, smart and spacious interior, and an abundance of advanced technologies complete the LR2 package.

“LR2 combines the advantages of a premium sedan — such as polished ride, accomplished performance, an attractive cabin and ease-of-use — with the attributes of a robust SUV, including go-anywhere ability, toughness, stadium seating, cabin versatility and spaciousness,” says Phil Popham, Land Rover’s managing director. “We believe that no other compact SUV gets closer to blending these best-of-both-worlds abilities.”

Technical highlights of the LR2 include a brand-new 230bhp* transversely mounted 3.2-liter inline-six engine featuring advanced technologies to deliver an outstanding combination of performance and economy.

The engine is matched to a new six-speed automatic transmission, with Land Rover’s CommandShift(TM) offering manual sequential gear changes when required. There is also a driver-selectable sport mode for livelier performance.

The exterior and interior design of LR2 is completely fresh, integrating the company’s unique design language with a form that is instantly recognizable as the latest Land Rover.

“We purposely kept strong Land Rover design cues, such as the clamshell bonnet, stepped roof and the basic form,” says Land Rover design director Geoff Upex. “The overall look is new and contemporary. The design is chiseled, geometric and simple — it looks like it’s hewn from the solid. We have kept a close design relationship with the LR3 and Range Rover Sport, but interpreted the design language to suit the requirements of customers for a more compact SUV.”

The body is a five-door monocoque structure, with a high level of torsional rigidity which benefits refinement, comfort and handling on-road as well as ensuring the vehicle is fit for serious off-road use. The suspension is fully independent and uses the most modern stability control systems, including Roll Stability Control (RSC�), a sophisticated technology that helps mitigate the risk of roll-over even in extreme conditions.

LR2 is packed with new technologies to improve both on-road and off-road performance. Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response(TM) is standard, making off-road use easier. Other interesting technologies include a new intelligent permanent all-wheel-drive system for superior traction and better on-road fuel economy, and the patented Gradient Release Control, which improves driver confidence and control when releasing the brakes on steep and slippery slopes.

Designed and engineered by Land Rover at Gaydon, near Warwick, England, LR2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool, where outstanding build quality has been acknowledged with a JD Power European Plant Quality Gold Award in 2005.

Delray Beach, FL (PRWEB) — Marc Ward, an avid Land Rover enthusiast from Barbados, launched his auction just ten days ago with high hopes of making eBay history, since it featured one of the most unusual high-value items ever offered on the world�s most popular auction site. The high-end eBay auction item was for a custom-built Dakar racing team, featuring a Drew Bowler TomCat racer. (See the original Press Release here:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/6/inktomi398031.htm

The auction was generating a lot of excitement, with over 7,000 visitors and several high bids. Marc was looking forward to the final day of the auction when the action would really get hot. One day a PayPal promotion appeared in the auction in the form of a �Seller Addition.� Since Marc doesn�t use PayPal, he asked eBay to remove it. Instead, eBay employees thought their own PayPal promotion was a third-party security breach - they apparently didn�t remember that PayPal does this normally. Despite several assertions that it was not a security breach, eBay employees de-listed the auction. In the end they admitted that it was a mistake � and allowed the auction to be re-listed (go to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4653966446&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT.

Though eBay is the biggest target for auction fraud, that is still only a small percentage of all online fraud. eBay however, seems inclined to err on the side of caution. Online fraud includes:

� Misrepresentation: The merchandise ISN’T what iwaqs represented in the auction description.
� Failure to ship: The seller takes your money and runs.
� Failure to pay: The use of fake money orders, bounced checks, stolen credit cards, or a number of other techniques, the to get the goods without actually paying for them.
� Shilling: Artificially inflating the price on an item by use of fake bids from phony user IDs or accomplices
� Bid Shielding: Using high bids from phony accounts to run up the price and scare off potential buyers, the actual bidder then retracts the higher bids, getting the item at a much lower price.
� Piracy and counterfeiting: The sale of pirated music and software or counterfeit art, phony jewelry or gems, and forged collectibles.
� Internet Fencing: Selling stolen goods through the auction.
� Triangulation: The seller offers to send you the item (usually new, brand name goods) on approval. They then use stolen credit cards to order the item shipped to you. You pay for the goods (in cash) after receiving them, and get a visit shortly thereafter from the police.
� Credit card fraud and theft.
� “Buy and Switch”: The buyer gets the merchandise and returns a similar item that has been damaged, or a fake, with the claim, “It isn’t what I expected.” The seller refunds their money, and is left with broken and unsaleable product.
� Fee stacking: Fees, usually “related” to shipping costs, are added to the cost after the sale has been made.
� False Loss or Damage Claims: Often these claims are a result of the buy and switch, or careless handling by the buyer.
� Shell Auctions: No merchandise exists. The sole purpose of the auction is to get money or credit card numbers from unwary buyers.

You can see Marc’s vehicles, with detailed specifications and high-resolution photographs, at:
http://xtremelandrover.com

The JKOM racing series is part of the World Mountain Biking Championship series.

If you ever enjoyed flying down a hill flat out on your bike when you were a kid, this will be sure to entertain - even if you’re just watching.

The 2006 season looks like this so far:

The 2006 season will again include three major events, current plans include:

Beaver Creek, CO
September 2, 2006
CBS Sports - October 8, 5-6 PM

Basically the rules are as follows:

The “Y” Format

The balance of the field - two men and two women will qualify for each event allowing these wildcard entrants a chance to compete against the best of the best for a shot at the coveted title.

OK - looks like a lot of downhill, high-speed, hang-on-for-dear-life type stuff to me. …and you might win a Compass. Grateful as I’m sure the winner will be, perhaps the new 4-door Wrangler in Rubicon flavour would be more fitting for someone with balls of steel - no matter their sex…

The Land Rover Discovery 3 has scooped an Auto Express New Car Honour - in the 4×4 Off-Roader category - for the second year running, beating off tougher competition than ever.

To claim the 2006 New Car Honour, the Discovery 3 defeated stiff opposition from the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. With a highly acclaimed TDV6 2.7 litre diesel engine, spacious seven-seat layout and plentiful storage, the Discovery 3 is an agile and practical offering on-road whilst off-road technology such as Terrain Response�, Hill Descent Control and Electronic Traction Control makes it unbeatable off-road too.

Auto Express editor in chief, David Johns commented: “Whether towing, mountain climbing, family carrying or simply taking the sting out of the daily commute, Land Rover�s Discovery never fails to impress us. Champion for the second year in a row, the big Brit has an unmatched range of abilities that sets it apart from every other car in the class.”

John Edwards, Land Rover UK managing director added: “It’’s fantastic that the Discovery 3 has proved yet again its versatility and staying-power in an increasingly competitive sector, with this, it�s 77th award off experts from around the world.”

For further information on the Discovery 3 or to arrange a test drive, log onto www.landrover.co.uk to locate your local Land Rover dealership.

Well, I suppose this is partly “flavor of the month” stuff - once a story goes mainstream, everyone and the wacky bag-lady down the street has a similar story.

I sure hope for DC it really is a case of folks not paying attention - similar claims damn near killed Audi in North America back in the early to mid eighties.

Too bad for Daimler Chrysler, though, these ones are being documented.

“So far this year, it looks like there’s been an average of one every 19 days,” he told PCC Online?. “There been one in Detroit, Milwaukee, a couple in upstate New York.'’

Newman disputed that claim. “If it were operator error, we would have equal rates (of accidents) with other makes and models.'’

Full story available here: http://www.carwash.com/news.asp?mode=4&N_ID=62161

Given they haven’t even unvieled the new land ROver Freelander publically yet, it’s nice to see the undreground taking care of the public’s need to know.

wheels24.co.za

The folks over (or under?) at Wheels24.co.za (South Africa) are ballsy - ignoring legal threats and running with the mantra, “We didn’t do it - first!”

Regardless, it’s a good looking ride which officially doesn’t exist until next month - not nearly as Jay-Leno’s-Chin as the outgoing model.

I know this has nothing to do with Jeeps - and even less to do with Land Rovers and Rangies, but here we go just the same.

If you enjoyed even one scene of the first Jackass movie, you’ll love this trailer:

http://www.jackassmovie.com/movies/trailer.html

I cried just watching the trailer - I know it’s pretty base stuff, but when Johnny Knoxville puts on the blindfold and stands in front of the bull wearing a red shirt - well, two guesses what happened…I damn near peed myself I laughed so hard…

If you thought it was totally dumb and a complete waste of time the first time, you’ll agree again after watching this one - but you will watch it - right?

I mean, who wouldn’t watch a tooth being yanked by a DRAGSTER!?

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jeep(R) has seven models in the 2007 model year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the 65-year history of Jeep vehicles.

“Jeep is the Swiss Army knife of the SUV market,” said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Marketing and Global Communications. “No other automotive manufacturer in the world has the range of sport-utility vehicles that Jeep has. This impressive portfolio of SUVs provides Jeep dealers with an unprecedented opportunity to grow the brand by offering a variety of products that will excite our current customers and attract new ones.”

The expansion of the Jeep brand has taken place in just two years. At the start of 2004, the brand’s trio of tough, capable, rugged SUVs included the venerable Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty — the retail sales leader among mid-size SUVs — and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler (2-door).

In 2005, the Jeep Commander — the first Jeep vehicle with seven-passenger seating — was introduced as a 2006 model. This year, the redesigned Wrangler 2-door was unveiled as a 2007 model. Also debuting this year are three all-new Jeep vehicles: the Jeep Patriot and Jeep Compass — both of which provide Jeep 4×4 capability along with excellent fuel economy, safety and interior flexibility at a great value, and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the first-ever four-door Wrangler. Also for 2007, Jeep Grand Cherokee is the first to offer a diesel engine in the full-size SUV segment and a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use up to an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) to fuel their vehicles.

Overall, sales of Jeep brand vehicles increased 12 percent in 2005 to their highest total since 2000 to 476,532 units, compared with 2004 sales of 427,329 units. Internationally, Jeep brand sales grew 15 percent to 84,019 units in 2005. The positive sales momentum for the Jeep brand has continued during the 2006 calendar year.

Jeep, which is one of the most recognized brands in the world, is celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2006. In 1941, the Willys-Overland company delivered to the U.S. Army 1,500 light reconnaissance vehicles called the Willys Quad. Improved vehicles were called the MA and MB, but eventually, those vehicles came to be known as the Jeep. More than 368,000 were built for use during World War II.

Over the years, freedom, authenticity, mastery and the capability to go anywhere have become the hallmarks of the Jeep brand and the basis for its SUV leadership worldwide.

4×4x7 PRODUCT OFFENSIVE EXPANDS JEEP BRAND DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.

No typo - that’s 23,500,000 euros for a Range Rover.

Of course, it’s a custom built unit sporting a 400 hp supercharged V8 and a custom paint job. Still not convinced it’s worth the money? It’s got a name, too. Lightening.

Well, it comes with a special accessory…and while we don’t have a pic of the Range Rover, we have a picture of the accessory…

…and here are the specs for this little toy…

THUNDER B is arguably the late Jon Bannenberg�s finest creation. Her sleek lines blended with her metallic silver hull, make her one of the most noticed yachts in the Mediterranean today. She cruises comfortably at 30 knots whilst using a TF40 turbine, which dramatically reduces the time one needs to get to the summer hot spots. The accommodation is for 10 guests in luxuriously appointed cabins. Forward she has a 7m swimming pool, and aft a very generous swim platform.

Length
49.8m / 163ft39in
Year Built
1998
Builder
Oceanfast
Designer
Jon Bannenburg
Beam
8.1m / 26ft57in
Draft
1.4m / 4ft69in
Engines
Please enquire
Cruising Speed
30 knots
Fuel Consumption
Please enquire
Crew
Captain’s
3 x Twins
No of Guests
10
Cabins
Master’s
VIP
3 x Doubles
Recreation
Tenders Novurania 230 hp 6.6m R.I.B. with Yanmar turbo diesel Hamilton jet drive certified for 13 passengers. Custom built in the USA especially for THUNDER B. Centre console, fire extinguisher, flare pack, medical pack, removable 2.2m ski pole Crane Nautical Structures concealed in the Fore deck. Nautical Structures concealed in the passerelle Jet Skis 1x Kawasaki XI sport (stand on) 1 x Kawasaki (ride on) Various water sports equipment Swimming Pool. Once free from the guest tender, the swimming pool situated on the bow can be filled in less than 40minutes. Exercise Jet, Jacuzzi, and 1.8m deep pool surrounded by two large sun beds with sunbrellas

Go ahead, remortgage the house…