Right before the second half of Super Bowl XLVI kicked off, Chrysler Group LLC aired its much anticipated commercial.

Titles ‘It’s Halftime in America,’ the ad featured none other than Clint Eastwood talking about the hard time the United States is going through.

“It’s halftime in America, too,” Eastwood said in the commercial. “People are out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.”

The commercial ends with a boost of confidence for Americans and Chrysler Group with Eastwood saying: “This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines. Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.”

Check out the commercial after the jump

- By: Omar Rana

SRT Brand and Motorsports Director of Marketing and Operations Beth Paretta handed over the keys to the drivers at the Fiorano circuit in Maranello, Italy, yesterday.

The exclusive 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 models received a special SRT exterior treatment; taking design inspiration from Ferrari styling, coated in Rosso Corsa colored paint. The grille is painted matte black with red inserts, a black racing stripe has been added, and the mirrors are capped in carbon fiber. An Italian flag was painted on the underside of the rear spoiler, as well.

Check out more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A set of custom, forged aluminum 20-inch wheels have been fitted to the Grand Cherokee models, which have also been dropped by 1.5 inches all the way around.

On the inside, Ferrari Red leather details were fitted throughout the cabin, with contrast stitching and a yellow-accented instrument panel.

Power for the 2012 Grand Cherokee SRT8 comes from the new V-8 6.4-liter Hemi, which features Fuel Saver technology, making 470-hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, making a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds.

“We’re excited and proud to be able to share ‘Ferrari-style’ custom-built versions of the most powerful and best handling Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 ever with two of the most talented drivers in the world,” Paretta said. “We know that both Fernando and Felipe will feel right at home in our ultimate performance SUVs that are identically built with classic Ferrari styling cues and one-of-a-kind Rosso Corsa exteriors. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 brings a combination of Jeep’s world-class capability to the road or the race track along with unparalleled luxury and refinement and advanced innovative technologies for all driving enthusiasts.”

By: Alexandra Koken

Joining the Dodge Dart GTS 210 and the Fiat 500 Stinger this morning to celebrate Mopar’s 75th anniversary was the Jeep Compass True North model.

Created by Mopar, the package improves the off-roading capabilities of the Jeep Compass. The package will be available to order from Mopar in the fall.

Check out more news on the Jeep Compass.

ON the outside, the Jeep Compass True North package adds a matte black finish on the roof, wheel flares, lower fascia, door cladding and black grille with body color inserts. Other outside touches include black-headlamp and fog-lamp surrounds, rear fog lights, custom front and rear brush bars and custom rock rails. Also included are matte black 16-inch alloy wheels with BF Goodrich All Terrain tires and a 2-inch lift kit from Rocky Road Suspensions.

On the inside, Mopar added a Kicker audio system, custom center stack gauge pod that houses pitch and roll inclinometer gauges, a bright pedal kit, door-sill guards, rear-cargo tray, shift knob and neoprene seats.

- By: Omar Rana

“The Pentastar engine is a cornerstone of Chrysler Group’s effort to reinvent its business model with world class quality products. This award-winning engine is proof that the Company is transforming it products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “To build one million of anything, and in an impressively short amount of time, is a significant achievement. But to do it with such a high degree of quality is a testament to our skilled and dedicated workforce at both Trenton South and Saltillo engine plants.”

Depending on the type of vehicle the engine is tuned to produce 283-hp on front-wheel-drive models all the way up to 305-hp on the Dodge Challenger. In the Jeep Wrangler the engine makes 285-hp.

The engine was recently awarded the ’10 Best Engines’ by Ward’s Automotive magazine.

- By: Omar Rana

Car and Driver loves doing special features. So they’re back with their latest one for the 2012-year: the annual Lightning Lap. The competition is to compare some of the most critically acclaimed cars as of recent.

Taking place at Virginia’s International Raceway, the C/D team will compare a series of cars organized in various price classes and see who’s the fastest. The diversity includes and are not limited to the latest Volkswagen Jetta GLI, the Corvette ZR1, and for the first time, SUVs like the BMW X5 M and the hot new Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8.

It really needs no explanation. And to make things more interesting, they even provided a video!

Check it out after the jump.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: CARandDRIVER

What’s the name of the new concept? Nothing – Jeep is holding an online contest “for consumers to name the new production-intent Grand Cherokee concept.” Whoever wins, will get a chance to win a new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

“Highlighted by a unique platinum-chrome front-end appearance and distinctive black-gloss 20-inch wheels and exterior treatments, our new Grand Cherokee concept provides a completely new look – one that is edgy and aggressive, and certainly different than any Grand Cherokee on the road today,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Jeep enthusiasts have always appreciated limited-edition models and the ability to customize their vehicles. This new Grand Cherokee comes with a unique, ‘factory-customized’ stealth appearance directly from Jeep, and is certain to attract interest from an array of potential customers.

Based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo X model the model gets an aggressive, chrome and ‘blacked-out’ look with a grille surround in Black, and mesh grille texture in Platinum Chrome, a Platinum Chrome lower fascia applique, Black headlamp bezels and a Black liftgate light-bar.

Check out more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Inside the Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept gets standard leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a 9-speaker 506 watt amp sound system with subwoofer, iPod/MP3 connectivity, Parkview rear back-up camera, ParkSense rear-park assist system, Keyless Enter-N-Go, Chrysler Group’s Uconnect hands-free communications system, and more than 50 advanced safety and security feature.

On a side note, Jeep said that it sold 127,444 units of the Grand Cherokee in 2011, up 51 percent from 2010.

- By: Omar Rana

For the 2013 model year, a new Dodge Avenger, Jeep Comapss and Liberty, and a Chrysler 200 all have new versions being released. It has recently been released that they will all be sharing the underpinning of the 2013 Dodge Dart Compact U.S. Wide platform.

The CUSW platform is actually a bigger version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, and although shared amongst all the models, none will be manufactured with the Dart in Belvedere, Illinois, but in Toledo, Ohio where the Liberty is currently built.

On the positive side, one platform amongst six models is cost effective; however automakers may be met with some degree of challenge to satisfy its SUV clientele. This change also leaves the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country models with undetermined futures.

The Chrysler brand is supposed to expand as well, although no details are out just yet as to how. There is a possibility for a 100 model compact hatchback, or bringing U.K. models over to the U.S. Alfa Romeo’s U.S. return is also in the works for next year, as well.

By: Alexandra Koken

Source: USAToday

To counteract the apparent demand for fuel efficient automobiles Jeep’s famous Wrangler SUV saw a recent hike in demand and sales. As a result, Chrysler has supposedly announced that they’ll be boosting production to meet the demand.

As the statistics show, 122,460 Wranglers made their way into the hands of individual owners in the US during 2011, a 30% increase over 2010’s sales figures. Outside North America, 26,278 Wranglers were sold, marking a 10% increase.

“I’m always worried about having enough Wrangler production,” said Mike Manely, Jeep’s CEO, in an interview. “The orders are still coming in very, very strong on Wrangler, not just here in the United States, but worldwide. We’re working very, very closely with the plant to try and get all the orders fulfilled.”

Currently running at 20 hours per day, six days a week, the sole plant producing the Wrangler in Toledo is feeling the weight. Chrysler’s plan is to bump up production by 100 units per day, thanks to a new agreement with the UAW.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoBlog

Out of a Detroit factory known for Chrysler products such as the Dodge Durango and more recently the Maserati Kubang (at least partially) comes a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, diesel.

There is no word yet on performance or economy, but if this is the diesel Grand Cherokee currently on sale in Europe (since 2011), look for a 3 liter V6 packing 237 bhp, 406 ft-lbs of torque and 34 miles to the gallon. In other words, making the gas V8 version a questionable choice.

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Purely musing, but it seems that the price would slot in somewhere close or below that of the V8 version; all of this makes it a potential rival theoretically for the diesel VW Toureag.

We expect the diesel Jeep to be strutting its stuff on the streets as a 2013 model.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: AutoWeek

AMP Electric vehicles will offer an electric conversion for the Jeep as they have in the past for the Mercedes M class, Chevy Equinox and Saturn Sky. The aforementioned SUVs are typically fleet conversions.

Click here for more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jim Taylor, CEO of AMP suggested that the jeep will offer smooth performance, but as of yet, the details are few and far between. Stay tuned.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

The 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 is getting a serious power upgrade from Hennessy Performance, with renderings recently teased for the upcoming 24 unit release.

Hennessy started with the stock SRT8 motor, which is priced at $55,295, puts out 465hp and 465 lb-ft of torque, and boasts 4.8 second 0-60mph time. After a displacement increase to 7.0-liters from the standard 6.4 and the addition of a twin turbo, the tuner produced the HPE800, which lives up to its title with an intense output of 805hp and 823 lb-ft of torque. Cutting the 0-60mph time down to 3.1 seconds, the HPE800 can run a ¼ mile in 10.9 seconds at 130mph.

Click here for more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The tuner also upgraded the transmission and torque converter, along with stopping power provided by a new Brembo brake system, and a set of lightweight 20-inch wheels. Visual mods include a custom interior upgrade and a carbon fiber front lip spoiler on the outside.

Pricing for the model also gets a substantial upgrade, starting at $235,000.

- By: Alexandra Koken

“Because Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Liberty demand around the world is very high, this plan will allow the company to satisfy a portion of that demand,” Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said.

The Wrangler line will operate with only one of its normal two shifts. The two Toledo plants will be the only Detroit 3 plants running between the holidays.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoNews

And we’re not just talking about the hottest selling products in the automotive industry. According to Advertising Age, the Chevrolet Cruze, Kia Soul and Jeep Wrangler are generating a lot of buzz and posting strong sales – so much so that they are among America’s hottest products in 2011, joining Dove soap, Goldfish crackers and Arizona Tea.

The publication says that the three models have been succeeding in the country with savvy marketing and a steady rebound in the U.S. light vehicle market.

Chevrolet Cruze: GM has sold more than 200,000 units of the Cruze during the first 10 months of 2011, making it GM’s hottest selling car after the Malibu, of which it sold 181,000 units in the same period.

Kia Soul: Through October, Kia sold 405,095 vehicles, with the Soul accounting for more than 85,000 of those.

Jeep Wrangler: Jeep‘s overall sales have jumped a nice 44 percent this year through October to 339,526 units. The Wrangler is Jeep’s best selling model in the U.S. this year accounting for 101,820 units sold through October.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News

Ever wonder what the most profitable vehicles are of modern times? Well, while many of you probably don’t care it’s still something nice to know. Bernstein Research in London has put together a list of the top global money makers since 1990 and the list isn’t really all that surprising.

Analyst Max Warburton says that the big winners consist of high price tags, huge volume and long periods of production the spread development cost of building the car over a long period of time. Warburton and his team found three categories of profitable vehicles including Japanese mid-sized sedans, German luxury cars and of course, American full-sized pickups.

Not surprisingly, American pickups were the really big money makers with their huge volume. German vehicles like the BMW 3 and 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz S Class and E Class and the Porsche 911 came in second. Japanese sedans had the toughest times to high profits due to their low price points.

Hit the jump to see the full list.

Bernstein Research’s 12 most profitable vehicles since 1990.

1. Ford F series
2. GM full-sized pickups
3. Dodge Ram
4. Mercedes S class
5. BMW 5 series
6. BMW 3 series
7. Mercedes E class
8. Lexus RX SUV
9. Jeep Grand Cherokee
10. Honda Accord
11. Porsche 911
12. Toyota Camry

Source: Automotive News

Jeep brand CEO Mike Manley told CARandDRIVER that besides the Grand Cherokee, no other U.S market model will be available with a diesel powertrain for the foreseeable future.

He also said that the Grand Cherokee will also be the only model to get the high-performance SRT model.

Click here for more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Manley also killed any speculation of the Jeep brand getting any hybrid powertrain.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: CARandDRIVER

The last time Jeep produced a pickup truck was in the 1980s and early 1990s. The Jeep Comanche was a pickup that was based off of the original and successful Jeep Cherokee. However, because of its slow sales and offerings from corporate partners Chrysler and Dodge (the Ram), Jeep axed the Comanche in 1992.

Over the years though, Jeep had introduced several concepts that echoed a Jeep pickup truck. But none of them took production form. All in all, their various concepts represented that Jeep has continually showed interest in producing a pickup truck.

This past week at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show, Jeep’s CEO Mike Manley had further expressed that Jeep is still dedicated to making a pickup.

“If we were doing something like that, for it to be monetized properly, we’d likely partner it with another, equally appropriate, platform,” Manley said during Jeep’s press conference at the auto show while standing next to a Wrangler-based Gladiator pickup concept.

“I wouldn’t want to come to market with anything that wasn’t Jeep capable, no matter where we’d sell it,” Manley continued.

Though, much like the issue with the Comanche, Jeep’s corporate parents Chrysler and Dodge still have the much more established Ram lineup and when asked the question as to whether a Jeep pickup could clash with the Ram, Manley replied: “No matter what we do, it will have to play to our Jeep strengths and be different than anything Ram would do.”

So either way, Jeep wants to do a pickup but of course, as many have discovered through automobile history companies who offer similar products under different names don’t always go so well. Regardless, it would be interesting to see what Jeep comes up with, especially with Manley noting that the Wrangler is pegged for a full redesign in 2014.

- By: Chris Chin

Source: PickupTrucks.com

Now I don’t have anything against the scatter cushion-brandishing interior designers of the world, but when America’s off road specialists dish out aesthetic upgrades in the name of winter performance, I do wonder about where the company is going. These extra cost upgrades include some new paint options: Winter Chill, Bright Silver, Bright White and Mineral Gray (available only on the Liberty).

Essentially, Chrysler is now charging extra for different shades of white and gray, black wheels, some decals and different, but not groundbreaking tires. Gaudy Arctic Edition badges festoon the seats, fenders and instrument binnacles of both cars.

“There are few environments more grueling and demanding than the arctic, which is just the type of terrain legendary Jeep vehicles are engineered to conquer,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Not only will the Jeep Wrangler Arctic and Jeep Liberty Arctic appeal to our loyal enthusiasts, but their unique content will attract new customers to the Jeep brand.”

It’s not all bad though, the Wrangler retains it’s 285 bhp 3.6 liter ‘six, which is good for 21 mpg on the highway, not bad for a car shod with 32-inch tires. A five speed auto ‘box or a six speed manual can be had as well. The Liberty manages with a slightly less beefy 217 bhp and identical fuel mileage, but it does come with GoreTex seats. Both cars come with an automated low range gearbox though the Liberty offers a part-time four wheel drive system as an option.

- By: Sawyer Sutton

The brand also is introducing a new tagline for the campaign: “The toughest vehicle in the world. Any world.”

“This is more than an advertising campaign, this is a true experience that captures the excitement one feels when playing ‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and when driving the all-new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition,’” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, Chrysler Group LLC.

Click here for our original article on the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty MW3 Special Edition.

The campaign consists of electroluminescent billboards in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago featuring unique day and night imagery, consumers will be able to enter to win the very first 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition via the Jeep brand Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Jeep), ‘Camp Tread’ experiential event will be featured at select GameStop locations in New York and Chicago,

Sales of the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: MW3 Special Edition start later this month.

Check out the commercial after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana