2016’s Top Jeep News
It’s Amazing How Much Jeep News You Can Pack Into a Single Year.
How do you celebrate a year as iconic as a 75th Anniversary? Well, by taking a look at what the future holds, particularly if you’re a brand like Jeep, who’s revving up to introduce an all-new model of their most-popular vehicle.
From potential sightings to our own design studies, the forthcoming JL platform for the all-new Wrangler was one of the most-buzzed about stories in 2016. But there were plenty of others too.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO JL
One of the reports that piqued a lot of interest was a full-scale model of a Wrangler displayed at a Fiat Chrysler Automobiles headquarters in Michigan, which many speculate could hint at some of the potential designs cues for the new JL Wrangler. Some of the key features on the display Jeep included a “true 3-piece” removable hard-top, removable hard panel side windows, and integrated handles on the top.
Interesting enough, when it comes to talk about Jeep’s future, you’d think that the Grand Wagoneer would rank as big news in 2016. But it seems that many have lost interest in the idea, given the mixed signals from FCA about whether the company is going to build the ultra-luxury Jeep. In fact, I’m starting to think I might be one of a dwindling few still holding out hope for a new Grand Wagoneer, which is quite the contrast to how hot the buzz was around the SUV earlier in the year.
NEVER, EVER UNDERESTIMATE A JEEP
Even more surprising is that news of an upcoming 700-horsepwer Grand Cherokee would be overshadowed by a two-door Jeep from the late ‘70s in 2016. Then again, it’s not every day that you see a video of a CJ-7 blowing the doors off a Ferrari Testarossa in a street race.
The March CJ-7 post (along with news that Banks Engineering was introducing street-legal turbo kits for the YJ Wrangler) left many here dreaming of turbo-charged Jeeps taking over the world. Our colleague Justin Banner jumped in to provide us with a bit more insight on how the technology works, which could provide a glimpse at what the future might hold for Jeep and turbo-charged engines.
THE LEGACY LIVES
In celebration of the brand’s anniversary, JK Forum devoted some time in 2016 reflecting on the things that make the Wrangler one of the greatest vehicles ever, ranging from its rich military roots to the Jeep’s modern appeal, as highlighted in models like the four-door Unlimited.
Hendrick Dynamics gave us a pretty cool modern tribute to the Wrangler as well, in the form of a badass military-grade Jeep known as the Commando.
JEEP THIEVES GO HIGH TECH
Of course, given the popularity of Jeeps, you can always count on thieves preying on them. Except in 2016, there were a few culprits in Texas who took a more high-tech approach to stealing Jeeps, using computer laptops to hack into the vehicles and override the technical control systems.
Then, there were others who resorted to old-school tactics. Take, for example, the case involving Conrad Belknap, a Wrangler owner in Denver who had the doors stolen off his Jeep in broad daylight by another Wrangler owner. Both of the incidents were captured on surveillance cameras.
EPIC FAIL
Jeep couldn’t escape some of the embarrassing moments that come with a large fan base. One of the most epic failures we came across in 2016 involved a drunk guy who tried to drive his Wrangler off shore in a large body of water, only to learn that no Jeep can fix stupid.
Still, all and all, the more iconic Jeep moments in 2016 far outweighed the ones we’d like to forget.