Chrysler Group Announces Pricing for the New 2007 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee CRD

* Full-size, diesel-powered sport-utility vehicle for under $39,000

* Up to 30 percent improvement in fuel economy and 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide emissions

* Class-leading torque and driving range (450 miles); outstanding towing

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Chrysler Group announced today at the Washington Auto Show pricing for its first diesel-powered, full- size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) to be offered in the United States. The 2007 Jeep(R) Grand Cherokee with a 3.0-liter common rail turbo diesel (CRD) engine will begin to arrive at Jeep dealerships in March.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD will begin at $38,475, including $695 destination. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine will be available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited and Overland 4×2 and 4×4 models.

“The Chrysler Group is leading the way to bring the advantages of diesel to various U.S. vehicle segments,” Tom LaSorda, President and CEO, Chrysler Group, said. “Chrysler Group will continue to build upon our diesel leadership in the years to come. We believe that clean diesel technology can and should be a part of the national energy solution. It’s crucial that our country’s policymakers set regulations that encourage a diversity of approaches to reducing our dependence on oil.”

The new 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine, built by Mercedes-Benz, produces 215 hp (160 kW) @ 3,800 rpm and 376 lb.-ft. torque (510 N*m) @ 1,600-2,800 rpm and gets an estimated fuel economy of 20 miles city and 25 miles highway for 4×2 models and 20 miles city and 24 miles highway for 4×4 models. Most recently, the engine earned a spot on “Ward’s 10 Best Engines” list.

The 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD offers class-leading torque, outstanding towing capacity (7,400 pounds), and class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles. Clean diesel technology also improves fuel economy by up to 30 percent and has up to 20 percent fewer carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD

With an MSRP of $38,475 for 4×2 models and $41,715 for 4×4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited CRD includes Sirius Satellite Radio, Quadra-Drive II(R)*, five-speed automatic transmission, 17- inch aluminum wheels, memory system (seats, mirrors, pedals, etc.), air conditioning with dual-zone automatic temperature control, rain sensitive windshield wipers, premium leather seats, SmartBeam headlamps, tire pressure monitor, engine block heater, and AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 radio. (*4×4 models only)

Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD

With an MSRP of $41,960 for 4×2 models and $45,395 for 4×4 models (including destination) the Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland CRD includes a five- speed automatic transmission, Quadra-Drive II*, 17-inch chrome clad wheels, ParkView rear back-up camera, ParkSense(R) rear back-up system, skid plates*, trailer tow package, tow hooks*, engine block heater, Sirius Satellite Radio, DVD-based AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 navigation radio and UConnect(R) hands-free communication system. (*4×4 models only)

“The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel will offer excellent performance, increased fuel economy, class-leading torque, towing and a driving range of 450 miles - the equivalent of driving from Washington D.C. to Boston,” said Craig Love, Vice President–Rear-Wheel-Drive Product Team, Chrysler Group. “Unlike past experiences Americans may have had with diesel engines 20 years ago, the 3.0-liter CRD available on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is engineered to be a smooth-running, quiet, clean engine. Consumers may forget that they are driving a diesel vehicle.”

The Jeep brand also announced last 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 (E85) 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 the Chrysler Group vehicles sold in Western Europe are diesel powered. Between 2003 and 2007, the 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD will be fueled with B5 (5 percent) biodiesel at the assembly plant to help increase the awareness of biodiesel. The 3.0-liter V-6 CRD engine is built at the Mercedes-Benz Berlin Marienfelde Plant in Berlin, Germany.

What: More than 12 million Americans will take advantage of the winter
season and spend time outdoors sledding, skiing, snowboarding or
snowmobiling this year. Of those, nearly 400,000 - or
approximately one out of every 30 - people will sustain an injury.
To help prevent these injuries and keep children and families
safe, Dr. John R. Tongue and professional snowboarder Stacy Thomas
have teamed up with the Jeep(R) Safe Way to Play campaign to offer
important winter sports safety tips.

Dr. Tongue and Thomas will explain:
- Key facts about winter sports-related injuries
- The most common causes of sledding, skiing and snowboarding
accidents, and how to avoid them
- Additional ways to stay safe while traveling to and from the
slopes

Who: Dr. John R. Tongue: An orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports
medicine, trauma/fractures and arthroscopic surgery. A fellow of
the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Dr. Tongue has co-
authored a study on “The Hidden Dangers of Winter Sliding” and has
contributed to such varied media outlets as the Associated Press,
New York Times, Seattle Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and has
conducted numerous television interviews.

Stacy Thomas: A professional snowboarder, Thomas has been skiing
since she was 3 years old and has been snowboarding since she was
6. At the age of 22, she has undergone three ACL surgeries due to
winter sports injuries and knows first hand the many do’s and
don’ts of staying safe on the slopes.

When: Wednesday, January 24 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. MT*

Dr. John Tongue and Thomas are available for on-site TV interviews
at Buttermilk Mountain where they can demonstrate various safety
tips

1:30 - 4 p.m. MT*

Dr. John Tongue is available to conduct one-on-one media
interviews, including phone interviews

Thursday, January 25

8 a.m. - 1 p.m. MT*

Dr. John Tongue is available to conduct one-on-one media
interviews, including phone interviews

*Please schedule all interviews in advance by calling 312-464-1984
x240 or emailing Kodi Moore at Kmoore@clearblue.biz.

Where: 2007 Winter X Games
Buttermilk Mountain
Aspen, Colo.

Other: With millions of people watching as athletes perform daring stunts
during the 2007 Winter X Games, this is the perfect opportunity to
reach consumers with an important safety message before they head
to the slopes and try to imitate what they’ve seen on television.

The Jeep brand has been dedicated to safely transporting consumers
anywhere they want to go for more than 66 years. As part of an
overall focus on safety, Jeep not only wants to make sure
consumers get to where they’re going this season, but wants to
make sure drivers and passengers are playing safely once they
arrive at their winter sport destinations.

Contact: Jodi Tinson (248) 512-2944 jt658@dcx.com

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Jan. 18 — Camp Jeep(R) 2007, the annual three-day mix of off-road driving and other family-friendly outdoor activities, will be held July 26-28 at the Oak Ridge Estate in Nelson County, VA, near Charlottesville.

Details about specific events will be announced later, but will definitely include trails for 4-wheeling, vehicle displays, activities for all ages, food and musical entertainment, and the opportunity for owners to talk about the ins and outs of their vehicles with Jeep engineers.

Registration for Camp Jeep, which is open only to Jeep vehicle owners, has been reduced by $100 from last year’s fees. Early bird registration is $245 per vehicle through March 31. After that, Camp Jeep registration is $295 per vehicle. Registration and additional information are available at http://www.jeep.com/campjeep.

“Camp Jeep is one of the premier owner-loyalty events in America, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are a beautiful backdrop for this hugely popular event,” said John Plecha, Director - Jeep Marketing and Global Communications. “The last time Camp Jeep was held in Charlottesville in
2004, nearly 10,000 Jeep vehicle owners and their families attended, making it the best-attended Camp Jeep ever. The Jeep vehicle lineup has expanded since then. That, plus the lower registration fees, and we could set a new attendance record this year.”

Four Jeep vehicles had been introduced, but were not yet on sale, when Camp Jeep was held last year at Road America at Elkhart Lake, WI. New owners of the redesigned 2007 Jeep Wrangler 2-door, the all-new 2007 Wrangler Unlimited 4-door, the all-new 2007 Jeep Compass and the all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot will be driving those vehicles to Camp Jeep for the first
time. They will be joined by owners driving other models in the Jeep family: the Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Commander. As in previous Camp Jeep events, owners are also expected to arrive with such Jeep heritage vehicles as CJs, Cherokees and Wagoneers.

This is the sixth time that Camp Jeep has been held at the Oak Ridge Estate. The first Camp Jeep was held in Camp Hale, CO in 1995.

Bear with us gang - as you can see, we’ve got the new shell live.

Next up is the rebuilding of all the sections, categories and posts.

Thanks for your support.

Duane

Toledoan Bob Laucks isn�t saddened by the prospect of inspecting his final Jeep Wrangler this week, a move that will help signal the end of the nation�s longest-running auto plant.

Meanwhile, production of the redesigned Wrangler begins with four-door Unlimited models on July 17 after Mr. Laucks and others return from Toledo Jeep�s traditional two-week summer shutdown. The first finished vehicle is to be…

Read the complete article here, at TheBlade.com

City of Oconomowoc - A Vietnam-era jeep, known for its ability to travel over rough terrain, stands as a perfect metaphor for Vietnam veterans who likewise had a rough road to travel when they returned from service.
Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America will showcase an authentic Vietnam-era jeep during the Fourth of July parade Saturday.

Larsen eventually found two authentic vehicles in mint condition, but the accompanying price tag was too high. Further searches eventually led to…

Read the complete article here, at the Oconomowoc Focus- it’s worth it.

Already known for supplying upgrades sound systems for the 300C and Grand Cherokee, Boston Acoustics is having a go at the new Compass.

Boston Acoustics makes the Grand Cherokee sing.

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP, Mich., June 28 /PRNewswire/ — The premium audio system on the all-new 2007 Jeep� Compass can help guide the mood - whether it be upbeat, carefree or mellow - of any driver. Visteon Corporation (NYSE: VC - News), in partnership with Boston Acoustics�, delivers a unique, premium audio system customized specifically for the Jeep Compass, which will hit showroom floors later this summer.

“With sound systems playing a key role in today’s consumer buying decision, Boston Acoustics is pleased to offer a premium-level option on the highly anticipated Compass,” said Michael Chass, OEM vice president for Boston Acoustics.

Jeep’s interior specs here.

AOL, the Online Network will Feature Events, Breaking News, User-Created Video, Blogs and In-depth Coverage of Action Sports; Jeep� Brand Signs On as Charter Advertiser

About Fusion Entertainment
Fusion Entertainment is a full service Hi-Definition video production company which has built a solid reputation as one of the world’s largest and most respected providers of action sports programming. Fusion produces and distributes action sports television to over 140 countries and has provided action sports programming domestically to networks such as NBC, ESPN/ESPN2, OLN, Spike TV, MTV/MTV2, FUEL TV, FUSE, USA Network, iNDEMAND INHD and Fox Sports Network. Fusion specializes in the entire spectrum of action sports from exotic adventure travel to event coverage to core lifestyle programming. Fusion is independently owned and has headquarters in Portland, Ore.

Short and sweet article on driving the new Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes-sourced 3.0 CRD engine. Not too much detail, but the author covers the basics and makes the main point: This is one of the best, if not THE best, diesel offerings available today.

In addition to some cosmetic changes, inside and out, the 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee will now offer a diesel engine in the Laredo, Limited and Overland trim levels. Models with the diesel engine will be badged CRD for common-rail diesel. Additionally, the 4.7-liter V-8 gasoline engine will now be flex-fuel, capable of running on E85 or gas.

When I drove the Grand Cherokee CRD around DaimlerChrysler’s proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich., it delivered as promised. It’s ridiculously gutsy from a standing start, even with the relatively heavy Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive underfoot. It’s no surprise, because the engine puts out 376 pounds-feet of torque at 1,600-2,800 rpm, as well as 215 horsepower at 3,800 rpm. What makes this engine stand out, though, is…

Read the complete article here, at Cars.com.