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.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

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.

Photo credit: Brian Williams, SpiedBilde

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

By SEMA Editors

Pietro Gorlier (center left), head of parts and service for MOPAR FCA-Global, and Judy Curran (center right), Ford director for engineering, planning and strategy, accept their SEMA Awards from SEMA executive leadership for the 2016 SEMA Show’s hottest-trending vehicles across several categories. Awards went to the Ford Mustang as the Hottest Coupe, the Dodge Charger as the Hottest Sedan, the Ford Focus as the Hottest Hatch, the Jeep Wrangler as the hottest 4x4-SUV, and the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck.

Voting for the SEMA Award is now underway. SEMA manufacturing members exhibiting at the 2017 SEMA Show were sent an email earlier this week with an invitation and details to vote for the SEMA Award. As industry experts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to vote for the vehicles that best showcase their products. SEMA Award winners are today’s most popular vehicles upgraded with the best product offerings from all segments of the specialty-equipment market. The collaboration between specialty-equipment manufacturers and OEMs is a powerful combination that results in vehicles that showcase the latest in driving technology, performance and style.

Introduced in 2010, the SEMA Award recognizes the Show’s hottest vehicles in five categories:

• Coupe
• 4x4-SUV
• Hatch
• Sedan
• Truck

The top three finalists in each of the five SEMA Award categories will be announced in October. The award will be presented during the SEMA Show’s New Products Breakfast, taking place on the 2017 Show's opening day, Tuesday, October 31.

The SEMA Award is open to all participating OEMs at the SEMA Show. Eligible vehicles must be current or next model year to be considered. This award is for new vehicles only. Understanding that certain vehicles capture our hearts more than others, a panel of aftermarket industry experts narrows the wide selection of vehicles down to a defined group of popularly accessorized “SEMA Award Nominees.”

Complete information is available at www.sema.org/semaaward.

By SEMA Editors

Pietro Gorlier (center left), head of parts and service for MOPAR FCA-Global, and Judy Curran (center right), Ford director for engineering, planning and strategy, accept their SEMA Awards from SEMA executive leadership for the 2016 SEMA Show’s hottest-trending vehicles across several categories. Awards went to the Ford Mustang as the Hottest Coupe, the Dodge Charger as the Hottest Sedan, the Ford Focus as the Hottest Hatch, the Jeep Wrangler as the hottest 4x4-SUV, and the Ford F-Series as the Hottest Truck.

Voting for the SEMA Award is now underway. SEMA manufacturing members exhibiting at the 2017 SEMA Show were sent an email earlier this week with an invitation and details to vote for the SEMA Award. As industry experts, SEMA Show exhibitors are encouraged to vote for the vehicles that best showcase their products. SEMA Award winners are today’s most popular vehicles upgraded with the best product offerings from all segments of the specialty-equipment market. The collaboration between specialty-equipment manufacturers and OEMs is a powerful combination that results in vehicles that showcase the latest in driving technology, performance and style.

Introduced in 2010, the SEMA Award recognizes the Show’s hottest vehicles in five categories:

• Coupe
• 4x4-SUV
• Hatch
• Sedan
• Truck

The top three finalists in each of the five SEMA Award categories will be announced in October. The award will be presented during the SEMA Show’s New Products Breakfast, taking place on the 2017 Show's opening day, Tuesday, October 31.

The SEMA Award is open to all participating OEMs at the SEMA Show. Eligible vehicles must be current or next model year to be considered. This award is for new vehicles only. Understanding that certain vehicles capture our hearts more than others, a panel of aftermarket industry experts narrows the wide selection of vehicles down to a defined group of popularly accessorized “SEMA Award Nominees.”

Complete information is available at www.sema.org/semaaward.