The production version of the Jeep® J8 was revealed at Euro Jeep Camp 2008, a customer event in Northern Germany this week. The J8 marks the Jeep brand’s return to commercial and military vehicle production with a thoroughly modern vehicle designed to meet the needs of both non-government organisations and government agencies.

“The new Jeep J8 combines the legendary capability and dependability that makes the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited famous with unmatched cargo capacity and an exceptional towing rating,” said Thomas Hausch, Vice President – International Sales, Chrysler LLC. “The Jeep J8 is also an exceptional value, priced below other vehicles designed for humanitarian and military duty.”

With the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as the starting point, Jeep engineers increased the capability and versatility to create the Jeep J8. The frame of the Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for increased ruggedness and to allow greater payloads – up to a maximum of 1,250 kilogrammes (2,756 lbs.). The rear axle is a Dana 60 model with disc brakes engineered specifically for more demanding use. The rear suspension utilizes a leaf-spring suspension system. The J8`s Command-Trac® four-wheel-drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in both on- and off-road conditions.

The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 118 kW (158 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque, providing towing capability of up to 3,500 kilogrammes (7,716 lbs.). The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted air inlet that enables the J8 to ford water up to 762 millimetres (30 in.) deep and operate in sandstorm conditions for up to five hours. The Jeep J8 features best-in-class water-fording capability and ground clearance.

The Jeep J8 is available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle. It may be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right- or left-hand drive. The two-door version, for example, can be configured as a personnel carrier with seating for up to eight.

While not designed for front-line combat operations, the Jeep J8 is armour capable and excels in a variety of duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, communications vehicle and other duties – also making it suitable for civilian government applications. Tow eyes and heavy-duty bumpers allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by airplane or helicopter.

In June 1941, the U.S. Army received its first shipments of the Willys MA, the rugged 4×4 vehicle that came to be called the Jeep. This predecessor to today`s Jeep Wrangler would prove so vital to the Allies` World War II effort that Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that the war could not have been won without the Jeep vehicle. Willys went on to produce the CJ-2A, a civilian version of the military vehicle, to deliver the capable and dependable service that the military had come to know. Today`s Jeep J8 continues in the tradition of both of these early 4×4s.

The Jeep J8 will be produced in the Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available beginning in July 2008.

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The Jeep Patriot already stands out – 42.2mpg; only £15,995 and even some green awards – but what do you do if you want your ride to stand out even more?

Jeep is now offering a range of accessories for the Patriot including a Startech chrome grille and a bodykit – or for the ultimate ride, sports suspension and 20-inch alloys.

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler UK Ltd, said: “People love to personalize their cars. This new range of accessories for the Jeep Patriot will be available in dealerships from June and while some people are happy to add just a few accessories, our great value-for-money packages mean you can really go for it. You can now personalize the internal and external styling of the Jeep Patriot or even enhance the performance of the diesel engine.”

Jeep has packaged a number of exterior design features from Startech together in an ‘SE Exterior’ Pack, which includes a front and rear under-ride bodykit; chrome grille inserts; exhaust tailpipe cover and Startech logo for the rear of the vehicle for just £999.

If you fancy adding a design statement to the interior, then the ‘SE Lifestyle’ interior pack at £1199 will give you a leather effect center armrest cover; four chrome loudspeaker rings; a chrome gearshift gate; leather gear knob and leather effect treatments for the top of the door panels and dashboard instrument panel.

If that’s not enough then other available items include illuminated entrance panels; aluminum pedal pads; three-piece aluminum design kit for the dashboard and aluminum door locking pins. Two sizes of alloy wheels are also available: 19-inch Monostar IV five-spoke alloys or 20-inch Monostar IV five-spoke alloys. Both options come fitted with Yokohama tires and a locking wheel nut kit.

Startech also now offers a performance enhancing option. The PowerXtra Performance Module increases the power output of the 2.0-litre diesel engine by 40bhp and is aimed at drivers who either want a sportier drive, who tow or frequently have their car loaded with people and luggage and feel that they need a little extra kick for only £999.

Jeep has thoroughly updated its Grand Cherokee range for 2008, with a range of new features and a new interior that makes this Jeep the most luxurious ever.

New soft-touch interior dashboard materials, interior colours and new textures all help to make the new Grand Cherokee even more desirable while a host of new features – tilt and telescope steering column, improved steering wheel and armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort, new instrument clusters and floor console with improved cup holders – all add to the high-class ambience.

In addition, Limited and Overland models get a new leather-wrapped parking brake handle and the Overland gets a new leather package on seats, doors and dashboard and heated second row seats.

The MyGIG infotainment system is a new option that offers owners the very latest integrated onboard systems. There’s MP3 player compatibility, a touch screen controlled navigation system as well as the ability to store up to 1600 songs on an integrated 20GB hard drive. The UConnect Hands-free Communication System uses Bluetooth technology to provide voice-activated wireless communication.

On the exterior, a new front fascia and grille surround with a new body-colour front sill and air dam give the latest Grand Cherokee a more modern look, together with a new range of alloy wheels and a new headlamp design.

Simon Elliott, Managing Director of Chrysler UK Ltd, said: “Our new leather package helps create a sumptuous interior to cosset driver and passengers and offers everything that customers want from a luxury SUV without the excessive price tag. As usual the latest Jeep offers outstanding value for money and the efficiency of a Mercedes-Benz diesel engine across the range.”

The latest Grand Cherokee is also still hard to beat off-road. Hill Descent Control now comes as standard on diesel models and is designed to mimic the safe downhill control offered by the ultra-low gearing usually found in hard-core off-road vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Elliott added: “If you think that all of these off-road gadgets never get used then think again. Driving up or down ice or snow covered roads will be made safer with 4×4 and Hill Descent Control, while anyone who has ever towed anything in wet and slippery road conditions can appreciate the benefits of being able to control your speed down a steep hill.”

For 2008, a whole new model will also be added to the range – the Grand Cherokee S-Limited.

The S-Limited model includes all of the refinements for 2008 and adds many of the visual enhancements that make the high-performance Grand Cherokee SRT-8 such a visual feast. These standard features include SRT-inspired exterior features including front fascia and side sill moulding, unique ‘Arrowhead’ 18-inch alloy wheels, SRT body-coloured wire mesh front grille and body coloured wing mirrors, rear spoiler and deep tint windows. On the inside the S-Limited gets the MyGIG ‘entertainment’ system as standard, SRT-8 leather steering wheel, gear shifter and aluminium bezel finishes and dark slate grey leather interior trim on seats, doors and dashboard.

2008 Interior Specification changes:

MyGIG Multimedia Entertainment System with DVD and MP3 compatibility (optional on Limited)
MyGIG Multimedia Infotainment System with satellite navigation, which also includes UConnect (Bluetooth) (optional)
Tilt and telescope steering column and new steering wheel
New instrument clusters
New floor console with improved cup holders
Limited and Overland models get a new leather-wrapped parking brake
Overland gets new leather package on doors and dashboard
Door panels have new armrests for improved ergonomics and comfort
Heated second row seats (standard on Overland and SRT-8)

2008 Exterior Specification changes:

New front fascia and grille surround with body-colour front sill and air dam
Chrome roof rack rails on Limited
New headlamp design (with HID headlamps standard on Overland)
New 17-inch alloy wheels on Limited. New 18-inch wheels on Overland

Other new features:

Hill Descent Control
Hill Start Assist
New front and rear parking sensors (standard on Limited, S-Limited, Overland and SRT-8)
Trailer Sway Control (late availability)

Grand Cherokee S-Limited (extra specification in addition to Limited model):

SRT-inspired exterior features including front fascia and side sill moulding
Unique ‘Arrowhead’ 18-inch alloy wheels
SRT body-coloured wire mesh front grille, body coloured wing mirrors and rear spoiler
MyGIG ‘entertainment’ system as standard
SRT-8 leather steering wheel, gear shifter and aluminium bezel finishes
Leather interior trim on doors and dashboard (as with Overland)
Dark slate grey leather interior trim
Deep tint windows
Rear spoiler
Available in Brilliant Black, Bright Silver and Steel Blue

Available from March 2008, the new range consists of the 3.0 CRD, Limited, S-Limited, and Overland models all with a diesel engine. The Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 – the quickest, most powerful Jeep ever made – with a 6.1-litre V8 petrol engine will continue to top the range in the UK.

These right-hand drive models will be priced (on-the-road) as follows*:

3.0 V6 CRD £26,995
3.0 V6 CRD auto Limited £30,895
3.0 V6 CRD auto S-Limited £32,495
3.0 V6 CRD auto Overland £35,595
6.1 V8 Hemi SRT-8 Petrol auto £42,120

The Jeep Renegade concept vehicle is a sporty, “minimised” two-seater ideally suited for the all-weather fun of dune-surfing or rock-crawling.

The advanced propulsion system in the Jeep Renegade concept starts with a 40-mile range lithium-ion battery pack. A range extender – in Renegade’s case, a 1.5-litre BLUETEC diesel engine – allows for journeys up to 400 miles.

Jeep Renegade’s BLUETEC diesel engine generates an additional 115 horsepower when needed, while greatly reducing exhaust emissions when compared to standard petrol engines. Renegade is capable of achieving an equivalent petroleum fuel economy of 110 miles per gallon,
which is four-to-five times greater than an equivalent petrol-only vehicle.

The Jeep Renegade concept is designed for cross-country fun and agility and with an additional electric motor powering each axle, the Jeep Renegade boasts a very capable 4×4 system – complete with low range and locking differentials — worthy of carrying the Jeep name.