OK, this is a bit nutty (pardon this pun), but here we go. European football played with Jeeps.

With Saudi Arabia�s match against Tunisia in the world cup just two days away, rumour has it that camera phone footage featuring a sneak preview of a daring football match involving Jeeps and a one metre diameter football has been circulating via the web throughout the Middle East.

Mohammed Aziz, a Saudi Jeep expert, commented on the team�s victory, �This is one of the best and most fun ideas ever to be created in football history. We are so excited and thankful to SNICKERS for helping us manage an event of this kind. Football is not just a sport for us but a way of life. It is our passion and we have proved this today by participating in the world�s first ever 4×4 football match.�

I guess they’ve never heard of Rover Polo before…LOL

I first heard of it a few years ago while attending a Land Rover event. The idea is pretty simple:

Set up hay bails as goal posts, drop a basketball ball onto the field, drive your Rovers around and use brooms to try to knock the ball into the opposing team’s goal.

Overall, loads of fun - and surprisingly, no one even dented a fender.

Oh well, I guess this is the evolution of motorsports - right?

For 65 years, Jeep has connoted ruggedness, durability and the versatility to go almost anywhere. Jeep’s classic Wrangler, with its ability to navigate off-road obstacles such as boulders, streams and sand, has satisfied outdoor enthusiasts since the model’s inception. The 2007 redesign of the Wrangler is no exception, incorporating a host of improvements in the powertrain, body and interior. In fact, its versatile performance also is reflected in the range of options available to consumers. DaimlerChrysler Corp. (Auburn Hills, Mich.) claims the 2007 model year Wrangler, available at dealers starting in August this year, offers literally dozens of combinations of doors, tops and windshields to satisfy a full range of needs.

The doors are proof of this point - the Wrangler will be available with either full-height or half-height doors, and a new four-door version is in the works, a first for this model. And with each door, prospective owners have the additional options of either power or manual windows and locks. For DaimlerChrysler, this range of options was a significant driver in rethinking door design and assembly, emphasizes Jeff Tibbenham, supervisor of DaimlerChrysler’s window regulator and door module center of competence. “We had to find a way to take some labor out of assembly and find a way to build more vehicles in the same assembly plant, with the same capital assets,” Tibbenham explains. Similar “rethinking” processes, years ago, led automotive OEMs to outsource integrated instrument panel modules and, more recently, integrated front-end components from outside suppliers. For the new Wrangler, DaimlerChrysler applied a similar solution, turning to key window regulator supplier Hi-Lex Controls Inc. (Troy, Mich.) to develop a modular door solution. The result is a single assembly that integrates the window mechanism (manual or power), lock and handle hardware, door latch and all cables and wiring, permitting rapid installation and pre-validated performance. Supporting all these components is a structural module plate, produced via injection-compression molding from a high-strength, long glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) compound supplied by Ticona Engineering Polymers (Florence, Ky.). The long fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (LFRT) permits extremely complex shapes and…

Full story after the jump (opens a new window)

DaimlerChrysler AG said Monday that it was recalling about 111,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees after receiving reports of overheating and fires in heated seats.

Owners are expected to receive letters about the recall in July.

Talk about being on the hot-seat - wow.

Even when design and production are weighed separately, Toledo-made Jeep Libertys and Jeep Wranglers still can’t break into a vaunted list of top compact sport-utility vehicles based on initial quality.

Buyers of the two local SUVs complained about wind noise; on the Liberty, brake noise was among problems reported, and for the Wrangler excessive fuel consumption was…

Read the full story here.
(opens a new window)

OK, are we shocked by this? I mean really. Jeeps are known for their ability to handle pretty much any terrain dropped under them. They are NOT known for being the best screwed-together rigs on the road.

It’s damn near 2007 and I can walk onto a new-car lot, hop into a Wrangler, and within minutes spot two or three places where the soft-tops weren’t set up properly and day-light is visible.

Upon recently test driving a Liberty diesel, both my wife and I came to the same conclusion: This doesn’t FEEL like a $35,000 (CAN) vehicle.

The plastics on the dash were hard and shiny, the gaps between interior panels we not even - anywhere. The overall layout was fine, but it seemed like lots of “styling” bits were incorpoarted to break up things visually - lines, curves, colors, etc.

I LOVED the multi-tiered parcel shelf in the back of the Liberty, but after taking just over 4 minutes to figure it out and set it up, it was apparent you could not manipulate it with one hand - kinda crappy since my other hand was full of groceries. …and it didn’t feel all that sturdy, being made of yet more shiny, hard plastic. Our cold winters would leave that stuff as brittle as fresh ice on a pond.

Now, you might be thinking I didn’t like the Liberty. That even though I have this Jeep-focused website, that I’m a Libby-basher. You couldn’t be more wrong.

As a THIRD vehicle, I’d own one in a heart-beat. I’ve seen them in action offroad - they are VERY good performers right off the pavement - given decent tires. A small lift and they’re about on par with my old Cherokee with 3″ of lift.

Much more comfortable than the Cherokee of yore and more efficient - but note, it’s a third vehicle here.

And, I was driving a diesel model for my test - so that alone was enough to sell me - almost. I mean, Jeep should really consider renaming it the Jeep Torque or something - that engine transforms the normal Liberty into a real TRUCK - big towing, big power, big noises.

Had the dealer come down in a price a smidge, it’d be sitting in the driveway right now - but the bottom line was, for that kind of scratch, I do expect better quality.

STARTECH Powerplay:
Powerful Tuning for all Chrysler and Jeep
Models with 3.0-Liter CRD Common-Rail Turbodiesel V6

What do the Chrysler 300C 3.0 CRD, Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD and the very latest Jeep Commander 3.0 CRD have in common? All three models are powered by an advanced 3.0-liter CRD common-rail V6 turbodiesel engine. And for all three there is SD6 tuning from STARTECH (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 20 41 / 777 54-0, fax + 49 / (0) 20 41 / 777 54-4, Internet www.STARTECH.de).

As the perfect complement to performance tuning STARTECH recommends installation of a STARTECH sport exhaust system for all Chrysler and Jeep CRD models. The fully stainless-steel exhaust further optimizes power yield. It also gives the engine a throatier exhaust note without being obtrusive. The characteristic oval-shaped STARTECH tailpipes lend the various Chrysler and Jeep models a more striking rear appearance.

Images courtesy STARTECH.de

While not really like that, a recent announcement means good things for Magna International of Ontario, Canada:

Magna joins Chrysler Group’s Supplier Park to support 2007 Jeep� Wrangler production

Magna, through Magna Steyr, is the automotive industry�s leading independent assembler of derivative, specialty and other vehicles for automotive manufacturers. Magna Steyr has operations in Europe, North America and Asia with headquarters in Graz (Austria). Within its existing partnership with the Chrysler Group, Magna Steyr builds the Chrysler 300C, Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander for international markets, including paint shop operations for these vehicles.

Kudos to Magna and DC on this one.

Well, it’s obvious why the official press site fro DC is quiet about this one.

Seems around the same time DC was busy pulling the Jeep Liberty diesel out of North America, federal investigators decided to expand their probe into concerns over faulty steering components…

Federal regulators have expanded a defect investigation of the front suspension on the Jeep Liberty to include all 2002 to 2006 models of the vehicles with the suspension.

Chrysler has changed the design and material used in the Liberty�s suspension since the initial safety recall. NHTSA is looking at that recall to determine if the changes and modifications solved the ball joint problem in the suspension.

Man, the Liberty can get no love these days. Too bad, because it’s actually a decent ride - provided you can find one slightly used at a realistic price…

Tougher emission regulations cited as reason popular version of compact SUV is going extinct.

While DaimlerChrysler’s Jeep brand is touting its plan to build a Grand Cherokee with a fuel-efficient diesel engine, the automaker quietly ended production of a successful diesel version of its Jeep Liberty SUV for the U.S. market.

In April, J.D. Power and Associates said light-vehicle diesel sales are projected to grow from 3.2 percent of U.S. auto sales in 2005 to more than 10 percent by 2015.

Holy crap - are the automakers blind, or just blind?

I mean, sales are down for trucks and SUVs as a direct result of the price of fuel in North America. Here’s a way to ensure these cash-cows (trucks and SUVs) can be maintained a sales leaders, and the automakers seem ready walk away from it.

Diesels are nothing new, and the auto-rumor mill says folks like the General (should they survive) are planning an assault in North America with diesels. I guess they’re hoping the drivers of today will forget the butchered cobble-job GM was responsible for in the late 70’s/early 80’s. Back then they simply figured it’d be easy to converty a gas engine to diesel and the market was so starved for fuel efficient vehilces that GM would own the market.

Wrongo - it was a POS - a BIG POS! And that one move single-handedly helped create the image of diesels as slow, under-powered, unreliable, smelly and bad. Because, largely, that particular offering from GM was all of those things.

Fast forward though to today’s offerings, (more accurately this action is known as North Americans getting their heads out of their asses), and we see full-sized diesel-powered pickups capable of embarassing sportscars with their power, while returning mid-20 mpg economy. Pretty damn good when you absolutely need the kind of power to pull houses off foundations.

On the car front, we’ve got Mercedes offering token diesel models to the moneyed few, while VW is left to fly the flag for diesels everywhere and for the common pocket-book.

No wonder they own the market and will continue to do so for years to come.

The Europeans are laughing at us right now. THEY know high fuel costs. THEY know what a fuel efficient car is. THEY know the value of running a small car with a diesel engine.

So, while it’s great to see Jeep saying they’re getting rid of a motor which won’t meet future emissions requirements in NA, for crying out loud - the replacement is the freakin’ Grand Cherokee. COME ON! If I could afford a Grand in the first place, do you think I would settle for the spotty built quality of the Liberty? Don’t you think I WANT to buy the best for myself?

I do - I really do. Trouble is, I can only afford so much. A Grand (stupidly priced now anyway) will only be even MORE EXPENSIVE with the diesel option. And if you think you’ll claw the difference back in fuel savings - think again. Fuel efficiency will only save you so much - just ask those who paid a premium for a hybrid. Sure it’s cool - but what else could I get for my $50,000+?

OK, Jeep - hear me know!

Make the new 3.0 CRD diesel engine available in the Wrangler Unlimited AND the Liberty at a future date - THAT would make things right for Jeep owners. Hell, the Commander, more than any other model, should see this option. Imagine having the Commander and everything it actually is, PLUS more than 20 MPG?

Shit, I might have to consider a second mortgage if that combo came to market…

Parts of this story originally posted here.

* 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee to run on gas, diesel and E-85
* First full-size sport-utility vehicle with 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel in the U.S.
* Up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy
* Class-leading towing, torque, driving range

Auburn Hills, Michigan

Chrysler Group announced yesterday its plans to produce the first diesel-powered, full-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep� Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will arrive at Jeep dealerships in the first quarter of 2007.

�DaimlerChrysler is a leader in automotive diesel applications in Europe, and it makes sense to continue to build on that experience by offering a modern, clean diesel for the U.S. market,� said Craig Love, Vice President — Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. �The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer consumers increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and driving range.�

The new 3.0-liter CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N�m) @ 1600-2800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 19 miles city and 23 miles highway. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 lbs.), and class-leading driving range of approximately 425 miles. And, clean diesel technology improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The 3.0-liter CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, Limited and Overland models.

�The 3.0-liter CRD is an efficient, smooth-running, clean engine that delivers fuel economy and performance,� said Bob Lee, Vice President — Power Train Product Team, Chrysler Group. �Advanced diesel technology has improved over the last several years; engines are quieter and cleaner due to electronic controls, higher fuel pressures and advanced after-treatment systems.�

Chrysler Group was the first automotive manufacturer in the United States to offer a mid-size, diesel-powered SUV, the 2005 Jeep Liberty with a 2.8-liter CRD engine. Based on consumer response, the diesel-powered Jeep Liberty exceeded the company�s expectations. More than 11,000 diesel-powered Jeep Liberty vehicles have been sold since production began. The Jeep Liberty diesel continues to be a strong seller, as consumers realize the benefits of diesel technology.

The Jeep brand also announced earlier in the year that the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee would have a flex-fuel capable 4.7-liter SOHC V-8 engine, which gives customers the ability to use a fuel with an 85 percent concentration of ethanol (E-85) in their vehicles. Flex-fuel vehicles support renewable sources of fuel and reduce emissions. The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee continues Chrysler Group�s commitment to alternative fuels and technology.

More than 60 percent of Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel-powered. Between 2003 and 2007, Chrysler Group will triple the number of diesel offerings outside North America. Of the estimated 20 vehicles available, 12 or more will have the option for a diesel powertrain (up from four in 2003).

The Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be manufactured at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant in Detroit. The 3.0-liter CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany. Pricing will be announced closer to availability.

Jeep Brand
Jeep has seven models in the 2007 model year, the most available to retail consumers at one time in the 65-year history of the brand.

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 (Cherokee outside North America) and the icon of the brand, the Jeep Wrangler.

In 2005, the Jeep Commander was introduced. This year, the redesigned Jeep Wrangler was unveiled. Also debuting this year are three all-new Jeep vehicles: Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass and the four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

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