Hasta La Gadget!

Chrysler debuted the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee at the recent Detroit Auto Show in Michigan, where it gave us a variety of details, minus one particularly relevant one – price. Much speculation has swirled around the rumorsphere in regards to the model’s price range, but nothing concrete has surfaced. That has apparently changed, with a user over at the Jeep Garage forums stating that he managed to grab a pricing sheet, which he then published for all to see.

According to the leak, the 2WD Grand Cherokee Laredo will be the cheapest option with a starting price of $28,795, with a couple rungs higher being the Grand Cherokee Summit at $47,995. Things keep going north from there, with Grand Cherokee SRT coming in at $62,995, a $2,700 increase over the previous model, according to Auto Blog. Fully loaded, buyers are looking at a cool $72,000+.

In addition to the pricing, a full breakdown of each Cherokees’ features is also provided, also said to be a leak of official data, which you can view here. Jeep has not made a comment on the leak, and nothing official has been stated in terms of price. As with all leaks, rumors, and speculation, don’t take it as indisputable fact.

This follows an announcement by Jeep on January 15 that it plans to start back up manufacturing in China after it ceased operations back in 2009. Currently, only import models are available in the nation, where they enjoy moderate popularity. The company also plans to increase its number of dealers in China to 200 by the end of this year.

[via Auto Blog]

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s price leaks, will start at $28,795 is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Chrysler has announced a deal with Guangzhou Automobile Group, a Chinese manufacturer, that will bring Jeep production back to China. This won’t be the first time the popular brand has been manufactured in China, with the initial production round taking place in 1983 and ending in 2009. Three import models are still available in the nation, but this deal will be a big step in expanding the Jeep brand there.

In addition to Jeep production, the deal with Guangzhou also allows for the building of more Fiat models, which is also owned by Chrysler. For now, Chrysler has an estimated 150 dealerships in China, and has stated plans to increase that number to 200 by the end of the year. The three imported models available for sale in China already include the Grand Cherokee, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Wrangler.

Chief Operating Office of Chrysler and Fiat in Asia Mike Manley offered this statement. “The expansion of the agreement with our GAC partners will allow us to unleash the potential of both our Fiat and Chrysler Group brands in China … The reality is you can’t ignore the size of the market or the opportunity that it represents.”

This comes after the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT’s unveiling today. The SUV features a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine with 465 pound-foot of torque, as well as an 8-speed transmission and towing capacity up to 7,200 pounds, a reported 44-percent increase over the 2013 model. To keep fuel costs down while being a tad more environmentally friendly, the vehicle also features Eco-Mode, a feature that optimizes transmission shifting. Sadly, there’s no pricing or available info yet.

[via WSJ]

Chrysler unveils plan to manufacture Jeeps in China is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Another bit of Harman related news coming out of CES 2013 deals with both BMW and Chrysler. More specifically, about how they are now offering “seamless connectivity and convenience for in-car infotainment” in BMW cars for those in the US as well as the latest Uconnect and Premium Audio system for Chrysler vehicles.

The BMW features focus on the “ConnectedDrive” experience which includes everything from navigation to productivity apps to wireless connectivity — all with the focus on these options being safe and intuitive. Some of the features of this setup include a 1280 x 480 display that is powered by a 1.3GHz processor that is able to provide goodies such as a birds-eye view with ‘realistic’ 3D models, weather information and location-based services.

Additionally, this BMW set-up will allow drivers to do things such as dictate email messages, text messages or voice memos — all without taking their eyes off the road. Drivers will also be able to connect with friends over Facebook as well as listen to streaming radio. The head unit will also include a BMW iPhone app that will allow for the ability to load third party apps in the future. That all being said, Harman has stated that this will be premiering in the US this month and will be available on a “wide range” of models including the 7-, 5- and 3-Series vehicles.

Moving over to Chrysler and we have talk of an in-vehicle, hands-free communication system. This all stems back to an August 2010 announcement, however what it means today is that this system will premier on “several” 2013 Chrysler models including the Ram 1500 and the SRT Viper. And in addition to the arrival of the Uconnect system, Chrysler will also be adding internet radio services to the Uconnect Access suite. This includes Aha by Harman which will allow you to access content such as traffic, hotel, weather, audiobooks, Facebook, Twitter and more from your vehicle. Bottom line here, Harman looks to have some nice additions coming to BMW and Chrysler vehicles for 2013.

Harman details what is coming to BMW and Chrysler cars in 2013 is written by Robert Nelson & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

We’ve had ample opportunity to ogle the electrical version of Fiat’s venerable 500 when the Italian firm fortold its US arrival years ago. This week at the LA Auto Show, the car finally made its official debut, so naturally, we had to swing by and check it out. While we’ve got plenty of eye-candy of the diminutive EV in our gallery below, allow us to first regale you with the car’s specs.

Under the hood lies a 111HP motor powered by a 24 kWh battery that generates 147 pound-feet of torque — not exactly the stump-pulling grunt of its new Yankee competition, but still plenty of power for such a small car. Range tops out around 80 miles in general use, while city drivers can expect an extra 20 miles per charge. Speaking of, the car gets all the juice it needs through a 240-volt outlet in just under four hours. Can’t wait to get one? Well, Fiat’s not telling how much the 500e will cost, but we do know it’ll be available in California starting Q2 of 2013, and it’ll come to the rest of North America by the middle of the year.

Filed under: Transportation

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When you think of the way a tank moves around, the main attribute that comes to mind is the wheel-driven treads we’re all used to seeing. But imagine if tank technology had gone this way.

Instead of treads, these insane looking Russian tanks used giant corkscrews to move across the ground. Here’s some old footage of one of these vehicles in action:

Apparently, even Chrysler considered building screw-drive military vehicles, as you can see in this 1960s prototype footage of an unusual amphibious corkscrew-drive vehicle.

And back in the 1920s there was even a screw-drive tractor, designed for quickly navigating over snow, called the Fordson Snow Machine:

While the drill-like conveyances sure looked imposing, they ultimately failed because of their heavy weight, poor suspension, and nearly impossible steering. Oh, and they pretty much destroyed any lawn you drove them over.

While you’ll probably never get to drive in a corkscrew vehicle, you can still buy a remote-controlled one from Hot Wheels.