Jeep Grand Wagoneer Concept previews the brand's upcoming flagship

Jeep has been FCA's knight in shining armour for the last decade or so, riding high on the back of a slew of macho-looking, go-anywhere models tailor-made to take advantage of the SUV boom that gripped the industry. Now, in its quest to venture upmarket, Jeep is bringing back its storied 'Wagoneer' moniker that will be applied on a portfolio of vehicles that, the brand claims, will redefine "American premium".

The Grand Wagoneer Concept shown here likely previews the flagship Grand Wagoneer that will be joined by a not-so-expensive and not-as-luxurious Wagoneer. These will sit atop Jeep's line-up when they go on sale sometime in 2021.

Launched in 1963 under the ownership of Kaiser Jeep Corporation, the original Wagoneer pioneered the luxury 4WD niche at a time when rivals General Motors, Ford, International Harvester and Land Rover were churning out utilitarian off-road vehicles with spartan interiors. That it remained in production - with just minor changes - until 1991 is a testimony to the fact Jeep got the formula right.

If the Grand Wagoneer ends up looking like this concept - which, in all likelihood, it will - Jeep has got it right again. 30 years later!

Despite steering clear of the 'oversized grilles' trend that has gripped most new cars these days, the Grand Wagoneer looks bold and imposing when viewed up front. Thank the familiar 7-slot grille that's now narrow and finished in "Obsidian Black". Book-ending the grille are narrow LED headlights with teak wood detailing. A full-width light bar and raised and illuminated 'Wagoneer' lettering add to the bling quotient. In profile, those flared, trapezoidal wheel arches and large, body-coloured pillars accentuate the size of the Grand Wagoneer with the design around the D-pillar standing out. The rear mimics the front with full-width light bars and thin tail-light clusters book-ending a recessed license plate holder.

If the exteriors don't impress you, the interiors surely will. Jeep has gone all out to make sure the Grand Wagoneer Concept is seen as a legitimate rival to the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. 

The cabin is well-styled, well-appointed with lots of sustainable material used for its construction and rich in tech with a grand total of - believe it or not - 7 touchscreens spread across two rows controlling the infotainment and other functions. There's one ahead of the driver, two on the center console, one ahead of the front passenger, two mounted on the front seat headrests and one on the floor console ahead of the second row. Phew! By the way, the flagship Jeep gets a 23-speaker McInstosh audio system.

Jeep has not revealed much more on the new Wagoneer range including power-train specifications. What's been said though is this concept is a plug-in hybrid, so it's safe to assume the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will offer some sort of electrification at launch. 

Not just Chevrolet and Ford, it's time even Cadillac and Lincoln roll their sleeves up and get ready for the fight. Here I come, says Jeep!

2019 Geneva - Alfa-Romeo Tonale Concept previews the brand's first compact crossover

At a time when it's main rivals from Germany and the UK are flooding the market with crossovers and SUVs to satisfy the exploding demands, Alfa-Romeo is waging a lone battle with the Stelvio. It's not hard to guess then the Italian luxury brand is struggling to grow and meet sales targets. 

But the scenario could change very soon. All the Italian car-maker has to do is to put the Tonale Concept you see in this post to production with minimal changes. 

Having debuted at the ongoing 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Tonale - just like it's sibling, the Stelvio - is named after an Italian mountain pass. At 1,883 m elevation, the Tonale pass is not as high as the Stelvio pass, which indicates the Tonale's positioning in the Alfa-Romeo lineup.

Sporting attractive Italian design cues that Alfa-Romeo does to perfection so often, the Tonale Concept impresses at first sight. The fascia, with it's thin lights and the long vertical grille, is seemingly inspired by the Brera while the gorgeous 21-inch alloys decorating the wheels are an ode to the 33 Stradale. Things you would normally see on a concept - thin LED lights, exaggerated wheel arches, ultra-thin mirrors and flush-fitted door handles - are very much there. Remove them all and you'll realize this baby Alfa is a butch-looking crossover with spot-on proportions.

Inside, the Tonale Concept features back-lit panels, generous use of leather and Alcantara and a dashboard with a 12.3-inch display screen and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a new version of Alfa's infotainment screen to keep the show-goers engrossed. Expect all of these to be toned down when the production model debuts.

Though Alfa-Romeo has been mum on the details, they have been generous enough to say the Tonale would have a hybrid powertrain under it's hood when it gets to production. Underpinnings are expected to be shared with the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass with the Tonale likely to prioritize driving dynamics and luxury to meet the requirements of it's target clientele.

Whatever it is, we can't wait to see this in production. Even if it looks half as good as it does now, the folks at Alfa sure have a winner on their hands!

2018 Los Angeles - Jeep Gladiator, the brand's first pick-up in 26 years, makes its debut

Americans love Jeeps. And they are obsessed with pick-up trucks. Ironically though, Jeep has not had a pick-up in it's portfolio for the last 26 years. Having missed out on ever-growing sales and ever-soaring profits from pick-ups for more than two decades, Jeep has decided they have had enough. In comes the Gladiator, making it's much-awaited global debut at the ongoing 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

As soon as the officials at Jeep wanted to make a pick-up, it was clear that it would be based on the Wrangler. The spy-shots that came in later was more proof that the pick-up bearing the Jeep name is an extension - quite literally - of the Wrangler. Now that the curtains are off, that's exactly what the Gladiator is. And we're glad at that, given Wrangler's iconic looks, rich legacy and crazy fan-following. 

As Jeep proudly claims, the Gladiator is a modern take on authentic Jeep design cues that we have seen and grown in love with. Those familiar seven slats that form the grille, the circular headlights, that clam-shell hood with side opening levers, the foldable windshield, the detachable doors with external hinges, those massive wheel arches that protrude from the body, you name them and the Gladiator has them. What's new though is the bed aft of the rear doors. Like the facelifted Wrangler that made its debut earlier this year, the Gladiator also gets LED lighting signatures that look super cool.

Jeeps have always had the go to match their show and the Gladiator is no different. Armed with Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4x4 systems, third-gen Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lock front- and rear-axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, a segment-exclusive electronic sway-bar disconnect and 33-inch off-road tires, the Gladiator can take you to places only a Jeep can. If you think all those off-roading credentials come at the expense of practicality, you're wrong. This Jeep pick-up has best-in-class towing and payload capacities amongst all mid-size trucks. Yes, it can tow upto 7,650 pounds and carry upto 1,600 pounds, more than what a Ford Ranger or a Chevrolet Colorado could.

Jeep is well aware of the fact that Gladiator customers are likely to buy it as a lifestyle choice rather than a workhorse truck. That explains why this truck comes with open-air motoring ability - sans windshield and doors - that's unique to the Jeep and a long list of official accessories for taking along your ATV, dirt bikes, skateboards and even speed boats. Mopar, Jeep's official customizing arm, is likely to have it's own list of goodies for the Gladiator right from launch too.

The cabin features an upright design and stance that's pretty much the same as that in the Wrangler. Unique metal-plated accents abound as do bolts on the shifter, grab handles and the infotainment screen's frame. Instrument cluster features a standard 3.5-inch screen or an optional 7.0-inch TFT LED screen that allows the driver to configure information in more than 100 ways. Depending on the variant, the UConnect infotainment system gets a 5.0-, 7.0- or a 8.4-inch touchscreen seated atop the center stack. Safety is taken care of as well with features like Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Adaptive Cruise Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Electronic Roll Mitigation being part of the kit.

Powering the Gladiator is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine that churns out 285 horsepower and 352 Nm of torque and comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. Come 2020, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 joins the lineup too generating 260 horsepower and 599 Nm of torque. The diesel is exclusively paired to the 8-speed automatic gearbox that's tuned to handle the massive torque rating of this engine. 

Production of the Jeep Gladiator would being in the first half of 2019 with the truck expected to go on sale shortly afterwards. With Jeep posting impressive gains on the sales charts and demand for pick-ups continuing unabated, the Gladiator is all set for a homerun in the United States of America. The mid-size pick-up truck slug fest just got a whole lot tougher!

2018 Detroit - Chevrolet and Ram gun for Ford's full-size pick-up truck supremacy

With the curtains down on the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, we should ideally be looking forward to other things automotive. But, our thoughts still hover in and around the Cobo Hall - where the show was held - in the beautiful state of Michigan. We’re probably not alone here. Top honchos at Ford Motor Company might share the same feeling as two stand-out debuts at this year’s show are aimed straight at their best-selling profit-maker. Notwithstanding its four-decade-old stint at the top of the sales charts, Ford’s F150 now has to cautiously look over its shoulders as arch-rivals Chevrolet and Ram have turned on the heat with their all-new full-size trucks. 

Chevrolet’s all-new Silverado is the perfect ‘centenary’ present

Just a month in, 2018 is already turning out to be a landmark year for Chevrolet. Having rolled out their first pick-up in 1918, Chevy is celebrating a century of making and selling trucks this year. In what could be termed a perfect centenary gift, the all-new Silverado 1500 made its debut at the show. Combining Chevy's extensive experience of building over 85 million pick-ups and feedback from over 7,000 customers, the all-new Silverado is GM’s latest shot at full-size truck supremacy. 

In line with what you would come to expect from a generation change, the new Silverado marks a departure from the boxy styling of its predecessors. With aggressive styling accompanied by sharp and edgy detailing all around, the new Silverado looks mean and macho. All-new LED headlights and taillights replace the erstwhile halogen units and feature a matching pinched design. Compared to its predecessor, the new Silverado has a longer wheelbase, a wider and taller steel bed and a powered tailgate, taking the practicality quotient several notches higher. All the exterior swing panels (door, hood and tailgate) are made of aluminium while the fixed panels (fenders, roof and bed) use high-strength steel. Thanks to this mix, the new Silverado is significantly lighter than the model it replaces which will translate into better fuel-efficiency as well. 

Under the hood, the two V8 mills continue, albeit with slight revisions and tech add-ons. Both the 5.3-liter and the 6.2-liter engines get a new Dynamic Fuel Management System that allows deactivation of one or more cylinders depending on the usage. A significant addition to the powertrain lineup would be the new 3.0-liter Duramax inline-six diesel, aimed straight at the new-for-2018 Ford F150 Powerstroke diesel. 

Interiors have not seen the kind of changes seen outside but gets a much-needed fillip with GM’s slick new infotainment system that brings along best-in-class connectivity options including 4G LTE Wi-Fi, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay amongst others. The cab has been stretched resulting in an increase in passenger space. 

When it goes on sale later this year, eight distinct trim levels - including the flagship 'High Country' and off-road-friendly 'LT Trailboss' - would be available with a host of exterior and interior changes to suit different tastes and applications.

FCA goes for the kill with the striking new Ram 1500

With the Ranger and the new Silverado slated for debut, Ford and GM would have thought they have the 2018 Detroit Auto Show covered. Boy, were they wrong! FCA had other plans and stole the limelight from its arch-rivals with the unveiling of the striking new Ram 1500. The critics and the show-goers were floored and, at the end of it, the new Ram truck was amongst the most popular launches at the show. 

Remarkably, Ram's new full-size truck has turned a leaf on the signature Ram looks we are used to. The crosshair grille, a signature design element since the early nineties, is gone, replaced by a single-piece hexagonal unit that sort of spreads itself to encompass sleeker LED headlights. Lower variants get bigger halogen units. Move over to the sides and the drop fenders, another staple Ram design cue, have been done away with. The result is a truck that not just looks swell but also contemporary. The profile and the rear are an evolution of the existing Ram 1500 with the taillight clusters getting LED elements in the high-end variants. The new Ram is longer, wider, more spacious and has a higher capacity loading bay than the outgoing model despite being over 200 pounds lighter. 

What's more, there are multiple models and trim levels offering dramatic differentiation to give each of them distinct looks and identity. The Rebel variant seen here is one of those and looks hot wearing that bright red paint job. 

One look at the new truck's interiors and its clear Ram has taken the game forward. Be it the first-in-segment 12-inch reconfigurable touchscreen in the center console, the much-touted UConnect system, the best-in-class 19-speaker 'Harmon Kardon' audio system, the classy layout or the abundance of storage spots inside, the new Ram has the competition licked.

The biggest surprise, though, lurks under the hood. All variants of the new Ram 1500 series get an 'eTorque' 48-volt mild-hybrid system as standard. Engine options include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 and the legendary 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Thanks to the mild hybird system, Ram claims significant gains in fuel efficiency and torque gains of upto 122 Nm in the V6 and 176 Nm in the V8.

The new Ram 1500 goes on sale later this year aiming to leapfrog its rivals from Chevrolet and Ford. That's a tall order, no doubt, but this truck looks promising.

Whichever way it goes, this three-way fight for glory is one to watch out for!

2017 New York - Dodge unleashes the Demon

The city of New York and its suburbs are said to be possessed by a demonic force. And that happens to be the sinister Challenger SRT Demon unleashed by Dodge.

When Dodge launched the sinister 707-horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcats, little did we realize there is scope for a more powerful and crazier version. That's also why we weren't expecting a whole lot from the multitude of teasers and hints Dodge dropped since the beginning of the year. Boy, were we wrong!

Digest these numbers - 840 whopping horsepower, ridiculous 1044 Nm of torque, acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in a 'blink-and-you-miss' 2.1 seconds (on a regulation drag strip) and a quarter mile run in a crazy 9.65 seconds at 140 mph. 

If your mind isn't numb looking at those, here are some more to chew on. With competent hands behind the wheel, this car can pull a wheelie from a dead stop. The Demo holds a Guinness World Record for pulling off the longest wheelie for a production car at 2.92 feet. That's 35 inches with the front wheels off the ground!

Responsible for these astounding numbers is the supercharged 6.2-liter HEMI V8 from the Hellcat that's been significantly tweaked. There is a larger 2.7-liter supercharger that turns the boost up to 14.5 psi, a Power Chiller system has been designed that uses the car's air conditioning to cool the air coming in through the 'Air Grabber' (said to be the largest functional hood scoop ever on a production car) and an after-run cooler is used to bring the supercharger's temperature down once the engine is shut off. The pistons and connecting rods have been strengthened and dual fuel pumps are employed to feed the engine.

That's not all. The rest of the mechanicals have gone through changes too. The driveline has been fully upgraded employing a high-strength steel propshaft that can handle 15 percent more torque, a rear differential that can handle upto 30 percent more and high-strength steel halfshafts that can handle upto 20 percent more. The Demon gets a Trans Brake system that locks the transmission output shaft in order to hold the car for best possible launches. Then, there are the grippy 315 section tires on all four wheels for best possible traction from the word go.

For true drag strip outings, Dodge offers a crate of goodies containing skinny front wheels and tires, jack, wrench, tire pressure gauge and an air compressor. The best part is the crate is designed to fit in the car's trunk. Talk about attention to detail.

Hot rods don't get hotter than this. This car is factory-built to race on drag strips but the American National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) seem to disagree. Why, you wonder? Well, the car is just too fast (quarter mile time under 10 seconds and exit speed of 140 mph) and doesn't come with a roll cage. It's ironic that the Demon is banned from doing exactly what it was built to do.

Dodge has taken light-weighting to an altogether different level as the Demon is stripped off literally everything that's not needed to move the car. Yes, the car is devoid of even the passenger seat and the rear bench. Both are $1 options and so are a 19-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system, floor mats and trunk carpets. 

Think of an American muscle car and your mind processes vivid images of an automobile that looks menacing and sexy. The Challenger, even in it's regular form, meets that perception to the tee and the SRT Demon is no different. The car looks absolutely smashing.

Unlike some supercars that are restricted to race tracks, the Challenger SRT Demon is completely street-legal and can be bought with a 3-year vehicle and a 5-year powertrain warranty. When it goes on sale later this year, prices are expected to hover less than $100,000, a fraction of what supercars with similar levels of performance retail for.

Only 3,300 of these would be built with 3,000 allocated for the United States of America and 300 for Canada.

If grabbing headlines is what Dodge and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) intended to do with the Demon, they have succeeded big time. Let's now see if this helps them sell more of their regular cars.

2016 Los Angeles - Alfa Romeo stuns with the Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Alfa Romeo has been making cars for more than 100 years but they have never made a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) so far. At a time when demand for SUVs and crossovers are sky-rocketing, no automotive brand can afford to not have one in their lineup. Being late to the party as they are, Alfa Romeo unveiled it's first-ever SUV, the Stelvio, at the recently concluded 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show.

Named after the highest mountain pass in Italy, the Stelvio is all set to join the Giulia that debuted in 2015 marking the beginning of a new era for the Fiat-owned Italian luxury brand. Just like the Giulia, the Stelvio aims to offer Alfa Romeo's signature Italian flair and sporty handling in the booming SUV crossover segment, a combination that not many brands successfully manage to deliver.

SUVs aren't always pretty but the Stelvio, unveiled in Quadrifoglio version in Los Angeles, surely is. The brand's trademark shield-shaped grille with apertures around it and the big air dams hint at power and aggression as do the functional air vents in the hood. Alfa Romeos have always vowed us with their impeccable surfacing and the Stelvio is no different - just look at the interplay of surfaces in the hood, bumper and the fenders! The racy profile has flared wheel arches and two prominent character lines to show off. Don't miss the cloverleaf 'Quadrifoglio' logo and the gorgeous alloy wheels! The rear, though, is more station wagon than SUV but, with a contoured trunk lid, diffuser and quad-exhausts topped off by a beautiful spoiler, we aren't complaining.

The driver-centric cabin is simple yet elegant. The steering wheel is beautifully shaped and textures and has a plethora of controls including the push button start. That, and the angled dashboard with the diagonal central tunnel, puts a lot of focus on the driver and the driving position. While this Quadrifoglio version has a 8.8-inch touchscreen multimedia in the dashboard, the standard Stelvias get a 6.5-inch display.

Powering the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a 2.9-liter BiTurbo petrol engine shared with the Giulia Quadrifoglio. Mated to a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission, this engine generates 510 horsepower, enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. All other variants of the Stelvio get a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo petrol, also shared with the Giulia, that churns out 280 horsepower.

Stelvia's all-wheel drive hardware includes an active transfer case and front differential combined with Alfa Romeo's Torque Vectoring system, all of which are controlled by a Chassis Domain Control system. A double wishbone front suspension, Alfa Romeo's patented 'AlfaLink' multilink rear suspension, the new DNA Pro selector - offering Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency and Race modes and a perfect 50:50 weight distribution mean the Stelvio Quadrifoglio has all the characteristics to make us grin ear to ear when we are behind the wheel.

The Stelvio is slated to go on sale in 2018. With the Giulia getting rave reviews wherever it goes, we are sure the Stelvio wouldn't be far behind. Good times are ahead of Alfa Romeo, we think!

Jeep makes its debut in India; Lineup includes Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT

After months of teasing and dilly-dallying, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Jeep brand finally made its debut in India today. The Indian lineup consists of three models – Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SRT, all of which are imported as Completely Built Units (CBU).

At ₹71.59 Lakhs ex-showroom New Delhi, the Wrangler is the most affordable Jeep on sale. Available exclusively in the four-door Unlimited variant, the Wrangler is the big daddy of American SUVs and an off-roading legend. With iconic styling that has evolved beautifully from the popular Willys Jeep of an era gone by, the Wrangler’s macho looks and retro appeal remain unmatched. A 2.8-liter turbocharged diesel engine that generates 197 horsepower and a massive 460 Nm of torque powers this SUV that comes with a 5-speed automatic transmission and Command-Trac 4WD system as standard. 

Wrangler’s feature list includes a 6.5-inch UConnect touchscreen entertainment system with Voice Command, 40GB hard drive and inbuilt GPS navigation, automatic climate control, All-Weather slush mats, tyre pressure monitoring system, dual front airbags, Electronic Roll Mitigation, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Traction Control and, oddly for Indian conditions, heated seats. With heavy-duty solid axles, 17-inch On/Off-Road tyres, 238.2 mm ground clearance, 35-degree approach angle, 28-degree departure angle and a 18-degree breakover angle, the Wrangler is likely to be the SUV of choice for Jeep loyalists and off-roading aficionados with deep pockets.

Launched alongside the Wrangler today was the Grand Cherokee. Available in two trim levels – Limited and Summit, the Grand Cherokee is priced at ₹93.64 Lakhs and ₹1.03 Crores respectively. Unlike the Wrangler that takes the retro route, the Grand Cherokee comes across as a modern and stylish SUV that retains the hardcore characteristics that the Jeep brand has become synonymous with. That front end, especially, looks menacingly lovely. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter V6 turbo-diesel that generates 240 horsepower and 570 Nm of peak torque. Mated to it is a 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifts and a Quadra-Trac 4WD system.

Noteworthy features in the Summit variant include 8-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar adjust, heated seats, leather upholstery, dual panel sunroof, 8.4-inch touchscreen entertainment system with 9 speakers, Voice Command and GPS navigation,  20-inch aluminium wheels with All Season tyres, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, Bi-Xenon HID headlamps with LED Daytime Running Lights, LED taillights, Cruise Control, 7 airbags including knee airbag for the driver, Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and ParkSense parking assist system.

The flagship of the Jeep lineup in India though is the SRT Grand Cherokee. Powered by a monstrous 6.4-liter HEMI V8 petrol engine that generates 470 horsepower and a whopping 630 Nm of torque, the SRT Grand Cherokee is the ‘go to’ SUV if racing Ferraris and Porsches are on top of your ‘to do’ list. 

Mind-blowing acceleration and performance apart, the SRT Grand Cherokee gets exclusive features like Brembo high-performance brakes, performance-tuned steering, Sport Mode with Launch Control, Active Damping Suspension, Active Noise Control System, brushed aluminum pedals, high-performance audio with 19 Harman Kardon speakers, 20-inch polished wheels with 295 section Run Flat tyres and Selec-Track System that adjusts the suspension, torque distribution, engine mapping and stability control based on driving conditions.

While we are glad that Jeep has made its way into the Indian market, we aren’t sure if value-conscious Indian car-buyers will look over the steep pricing and appreciate the strengths of these models. We’ll know soon, stay tuned!