New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler: A New Heart, the Same Soul

New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler: A New Heart, the Same Soul
Jeep® Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – becomes even more capable both on- and off-road for 2012, courtesy of an all-new, more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and a new five-speed automatic transmission – both of which it shares with the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The all-new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 and five-speed automatic transmission dramatically enhance Wrangler’s on-road driving performance – delivering up to 21 miles per gallon, 40 percent more power and 10 percent more torque – while also taking the vehicle’s legendary off-road capability
to a new level.

“Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and iconic vehicle in the world – has a new heart but retains the same soul for 2012,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our new 3.6-liter V-6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque.

“Available in 2-door and 4-door models and boasting an untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air freedom, significant towing capability, improved real-world drivability, and unique 4x4 systems that deliver unmatched off-road prowess, Jeep Wrangler once again resets the benchmark and offers consumers the ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure,” Manley added.

Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – winner of the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines award – delivers 285 horsepower (209 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 N•m), with greater fuel efficiency. The improvement, when compared to the previous 3.8-liter V-6 engine, is 40 percent in horsepower and 10 percent in torque. Additionally, for refined shifting and greater performance, the Jeep Wrangler migrates from a four-speed to a new five-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler also features the company’s first application of a manual transmission to the Pentastar V-6.

The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in four models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. Combined with an all-new interior for 2011, the 2012 Jeep Wrangler is virtually all-new over the past two model years and will excite core Jeep followers while appealing to new customers.

Beautiful and sporty, the Grand Cherokee SRT8 is the single best SUV for the money. | The Detroit News

Jeep's Grander Cherokee SRT8 | The Detroit News

Race car drivers have a different genetic makeup.

They have a string of DNA that can magically sense a vehicle's exact limit. They understand how fast, really, how fast a car can go through a corner before the tires can no longer hold it on the track. They see speed, hear vehicle dynamics and feel decreasing radius turns, knowing exactly when to push through the apex and gun the gas.

My genes are programmed differently. That might explain why I lifted my foot off the accelerator when the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8's speedometer read 118 mph on the straightaway with a hard left turn rapidly approaching.

There was still more space, more gears and more power bursting out of the 470-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V-8 before I reached the orange cones, clearly marking when I would need to mash my foot against the brake pedal and activate those high performance Brembo brakes. Ignore them and fiery death surely awaits. It was genetically impossible for me to keep the accelerator pressed down.

Whether by instinct or DNA programming, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 will test your body's desire for self-preservation. And if you buy an SRT, the new Chrysler Group LLC brand that stands for Street and Racing Technology, you will earn a day of professional track training from the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

It's big and beefy and defies everything a person might think about an SUV. It's quick, it's nimble, it's mind-blowing powerful, it's track ready and daily driver worthy.

It will make passengers squeak in their Nappa leather and suede sculpted seats with that mix of joy and fear as it transforms from SUV to funny car, ripping up the road, spitting it out and leaving everyone in a trail of exhaust coming out of those beautiful 4-inch twin exhaust tips.

The only thing this Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 shares with the previous generation is the name. Everything else is better. Gloriously faster, stronger and all around funner.

See, it even inspires fake words.

The hot rod SUV

First, the new Grand Cherokee SRT8 looks the part of a hot rod SUV. The double heat extractors on the hood remind me of a bull ready to charge. The war stripes of LED daytime running lights on the front tell those approaching to use caution.

AutoPacific Names Chrysler Most Ideal Brand for 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards

AutoPacific Names Chrysler Most Ideal Brand for 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards
The Chrysler brand has been named the Most Ideal Popular Brand in AutoPacific’s 2011 Ideal Vehicle Awards based on owners' ratings of their 2011 cars and trucks.

Additionally, three Chrysler Group vehicles, Dodge Challenger, Jeep® Grand Cherokee and Chrysler Town & Country, were named Most Ideal Sports Car, Most Ideal Mid-size SUV and Most Ideal Minivan in their respective classes.

“It’s an honor for the Chrysler brand to be recognized by AutoPacific,” said Olivier Francois, President and Chief Executive Officer, Chrysler Brand. “Recognition by the customers who buy and evaluate our vehicles proves we take consumer input very seriously in all the vehicles we design and build at Chrysler.”

The Ideal Vehicle Awards are based on owner ratings of 15 key attributes of their 2011 vehicles. Measures evaluated by customers include power and acceleration, ride and handling, interior roominess and cargo space. More than 72,000 vehicle owners were surveyed by AutoPacific and were asked if they would change characteristics of their vehicles.

Dodge Durango Commercial - Gary | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula

The new Durango has an advanced traction control system. If one of the wheels suddenly loses its grip, this system slows it down until it can regain its footing and catch up.

It's like the Durango is telling that wheel, "Whoa...Gary, you're working too hard buddy. Relax. Gather yourself and join us when you're ready."

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - The Bad News | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of

The good news is the new Dodge Durango is a performance SUV that can comfortably seat seven professional drivers. The bad news is only one of those seven seats is the driver's seat.

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - Responsibility | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of T...

They say with great power comes great responsibility. Well when you own a Durango you'll have tons of power, enough to tow up to 7,400 lbs. So owning a Durango means you now have the responsibility to go dirt biking, ATV'ing, motorcycling, boating, jet skiing and show a Ford Explorer a thing to two about what it means to have "Best in Class Towing."

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - Ultimate | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula

Finally the showdown everyone's been waiting for. The Dodge Durango versus the Ford Explorer. Two titans of the SUV world. The Durango, the embodiment of sport, utility and vehicle. The Explorer the formidable opponent which has the strength, which has the power, which has the ability to...oh..geez.

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - Punchline | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula

A fuel economist and a horsepower enthusiast walk into a bar. The fuel economist says "I have an SUV with a V6 engine that can go up to 500 miles on a single tank of gas." The horsepower enthusiast says "Well my SUV has a V6 engine with best-in-class towing and power." The punchline is...they're both driving a Dodge Durango...get it?

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - Rhymes With | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Teme...

The Dodge Durango has a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats wrapped in nappa leather, the same shade of supple cow hide you'd find on a certain high performance luxury automobile, the name of which of course we can't mention. But we can say it's Italian. It's got a horse leaping across the grill and without being too specific it rhymes with "merrari."

The SUV is back.

To see the Dodge Durango in person or for more information contact DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula at (888) 848-6860 or visit our website at http://www.dchchryslerjeepdodgeoftemecula.com

Dodge Durango Commercial - Sensitive | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula

It may look mean but the Dodge Durango is actually a very sensitive SUV. Take the rain brake support system. When the windshield wipers are in use, the brakes are instantly triggered to clamp down ever so gently on the rotors to dry them off, making for safer, more responsive braking in the rain. As if holding a handkerchief the brakes hug the rotors whispering quietly, "Don't cry...your safe....you're safe now."

Dodge Durango Commercial - Radar | DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula

The new Dodge Durango has Adaptive Cruise Control. It has a radar sensor in the bumper. Radar that detects the distance between you and the vehicle ahead and manages that distance automatically. It also allows you to say to people, "dude, my car has radar." Which, in these competitive times is kind of a game changer.

The American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) Dealer of the Week

AIADA’s Dealership of the Week: DCH Auto Group Spearheads Teen Safe Driving Initiative
Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers today. Unfortunately, the majority of these crashes are preventable as they are the result of mindless, distracted driving. Through DCH Auto Group’s Teen Safe Driving Program, which began March 2008, its dealerships are partnering with local high schools and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) to raise awareness and educate teens and parents about smart decisions and safe driving. Currently DCH dealerships sponsor 30 SADD chapters in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Southern California, which now include about 2,000 members. Each program is tailored to the needs of the individual high school, allowing dealerships to contribute resources where they are needed the most in their communities. “The number of crashes involving teens is staggering and the tragic results are devastating,” said Shau-wai Lam, Chairman of DCH Auto Group. “We are automobile retailers and this is an area where we can make a difference by working together with high school students and parents to save lives through education, action, and advocacy of teen safe driving in their schools and local communities.” Thanks to the program’s effectiveness, it has been recognized by several groups, including The Governor’s Highway Safety Association and The National Safety Council Teen Safe Driving Coalition.

DCH Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Temecula provides both financial and staff support to help Temecula's Great Oak High School develop a successful, sustainable SADD chapter and to raise awareness about important behavioral decisions when behind the wheel of a car.

For more information on DCH Auto Group’s Teen Safe Driving Program, visit www.DCHTeenSafeDriving.com, or contact Roy Bavaro at RBavaro@dchusa.com.

[Source: aiada.org]