Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:08

Jeep

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with barely any camo, and it doesn't disappoint.

As seen in these shots, the new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and slightly longer front end are the main giveaways.

Mechanical details are expected to include significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. A new 2.0L turbo four, dubbed “Hurricane,” is slated for the Wrangler as a more fuel-efficient option. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel for North America and likely global markets. A hybrid powertrain is also rumored, and a six-speed manual is confirmed to be available.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

Expect to see the new Wrangler debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

Jeep

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:08

Jeep

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with barely any camo, and it doesn't disappoint.

As seen in these shots, the new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and slightly longer front end are the main giveaways.

Mechanical details are expected to include significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. A new 2.0L turbo four, dubbed “Hurricane,” is slated for the Wrangler as a more fuel-efficient option. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel for North America and likely global markets. A hybrid powertrain is also rumored, and a six-speed manual is confirmed to be available.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

Expect to see the new Wrangler debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

Jeep

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:08

Jeep

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with barely any camo, and it doesn't disappoint.

As seen in these shots, the new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and slightly longer front end are the main giveaways.

Mechanical details are expected to include significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. A new 2.0L turbo four, dubbed “Hurricane,” is slated for the Wrangler as a more fuel-efficient option. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel for North America and likely global markets. A hybrid powertrain is also rumored, and a six-speed manual is confirmed to be available.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

Expect to see the new Wrangler debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

Jeep

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:08

Jeep

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with barely any camo, and it doesn't disappoint.

As seen in these shots, the new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and slightly longer front end are the main giveaways.

Mechanical details are expected to include significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. A new 2.0L turbo four, dubbed “Hurricane,” is slated for the Wrangler as a more fuel-efficient option. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel for North America and likely global markets. A hybrid powertrain is also rumored, and a six-speed manual is confirmed to be available.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

Expect to see the new Wrangler debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

Jeep

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:08

Jeep

This is the ’18 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited with barely any camo, and it doesn't disappoint.

As seen in these shots, the new Wrangler will resemble the outgoing one, but various aerodynamic tweaks will make it less upright. A fixed windshield and slightly longer front end are the main giveaways.

Mechanical details are expected to include significant amounts of aluminum in the name of weight reduction, although the body will be mostly made of steel. A new 2.0L turbo four, dubbed “Hurricane,” is slated for the Wrangler as a more fuel-efficient option. The Pentastar V6 and eight-speed automatic will be the mainstream powertrain, although the big news will be a 3.0L V6 turbodiesel for North America and likely global markets. A hybrid powertrain is also rumored, and a six-speed manual is confirmed to be available.

Jeep officials have insisted the Wrangler’s off-road abilities will only be improved, despite the changes for economy.

Expect to see the new Wrangler debut at the 2017 LA Auto Show.

Jeep

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:03

By SEMA Editors

Jason Childress of Gateway Classic Mustang calls his ’62 Ford Falcon build an “old-school hot rod with a twist.” Based in Bourbon, Missouri, Childress has a long history of building custom Mustangs.

SEMA had a chance to preview the build he’s entering in the Battle of the Builders competition. The ’62 Ford Falcon features a custom floor and frame, along with highlights throughout that make the vehicle special. Learn more about this unique build and why, as Jason puts, “it’s about making a piece of artwork and sharing it with the world.”

Subscribe to the SEMA Show YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:03

By SEMA Editors

Jason Childress of Gateway Classic Mustang calls his ’62 Ford Falcon build an “old-school hot rod with a twist.” Based in Bourbon, Missouri, Childress has a long history of building custom Mustangs.

SEMA had a chance to preview the build he’s entering in the Battle of the Builders competition. The ’62 Ford Falcon features a custom floor and frame, along with highlights throughout that make the vehicle special. Learn more about this unique build and why, as Jason puts, “it’s about making a piece of artwork and sharing it with the world.”

Subscribe to the SEMA Show YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:03

By SEMA Editors

Jason Childress of Gateway Classic Mustang calls his ’62 Ford Falcon build an “old-school hot rod with a twist.” Based in Bourbon, Missouri, Childress has a long history of building custom Mustangs.

SEMA had a chance to preview the build he’s entering in the Battle of the Builders competition. The ’62 Ford Falcon features a custom floor and frame, along with highlights throughout that make the vehicle special. Learn more about this unique build and why, as Jason puts, “it’s about making a piece of artwork and sharing it with the world.”

Subscribe to the SEMA Show YouTube Channel to see the latest builder interviews and more leading up to the 2017 SEMA Show.

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:02

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide federal oversight for highly automated vehicles (HAVs). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete research on the most cost-effective methods for informing consumers about the capabilities and limitations for self-driving vehicles, and make such terminology consistent with industry standards, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Recommended Practice Report J3016. The legislation is intended to create a national approach, rather than a patchwork of state rules governing the safety of HAVs as it relates to design, performance, testing and deployment of such vehicles.

In a separate action, the DOT announced that it will pursue voluntary guidelines for HAVs, rather than enforceable rules to provide a flexible approach while driverless technology evolves. The DOT would still retain authority to recall any HAVs found to be unsafe. The automakers are incorporating sensors, software and other mechanisms to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.

Thu, 09/14/2017 - 10:02

By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill to provide federal oversight for highly automated vehicles (HAVs). The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to complete research on the most cost-effective methods for informing consumers about the capabilities and limitations for self-driving vehicles, and make such terminology consistent with industry standards, such as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International Recommended Practice Report J3016. The legislation is intended to create a national approach, rather than a patchwork of state rules governing the safety of HAVs as it relates to design, performance, testing and deployment of such vehicles.

In a separate action, the DOT announced that it will pursue voluntary guidelines for HAVs, rather than enforceable rules to provide a flexible approach while driverless technology evolves. The DOT would still retain authority to recall any HAVs found to be unsafe. The automakers are incorporating sensors, software and other mechanisms to facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications. 

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.