Edmunds takes a few G-Wagons on the Outback's Stock Road

Follow the group from Expedition Overland

These guys are putting out some great overland videos.  You need to check them out. You won't be disappointed.  The website is full of expedition tips, overland trips, and video clips.

http://www.xoverland.com/

Mark McMillin in Dakar 2012

When five time Baja 1000 winner Mark McMillin contacted Darren Skilton to find out what the best way is to watch the Dakar Rally, the phone call ended with McMillin and his navigator, Gary Arnold, signing on to compete.  Skilton's "Baja Automotive" will be sponsoring three entries in the next rally, including Skilton, McMillin and Joaquin De Uriarte.  McMillin will be piloting the Hemi powered Jeepspeed 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee that won the Australian Safari Stock Class.  The Jeep will be competing in the Open 2 Class, which includes vehicles such as the Toyota Tundra and Ford Raptor.

Source:
http://www.dakarrallyraid.com/mark-mcmillin-goes-dakar/

Jeep® Brand Launches ‘Jeep Arctic Yeti Dig’ Sweepstakes

• Grand Prize winner will receive a 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Arctic edition
• Six sweepstake contestants will attend the ‘2012 Winter X Games 16’ held January 26-29 in Aspen, Colo.
• Participants can enter the ‘Jeep Arctic Yeti Dig’ sweepstakes via the Jeep Brand’s Facebook, Twitter or Blog sites

December 20, 2011 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - The Jeep® brand would like to send one lucky person home from the “2012 Winter X Games 16” with a new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic edition. The brand kicked off the “Jeep Arctic Yeti Dig” sweepstakes on the Jeep Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jeep), Twitter (www.twitter.com/Jeep) and blog (http://blog.jeep.com) sites. Six sweepstakes participants will be randomly selected to attend the Winter X games and on Friday, Jan. 27, will dig in a giant pile of snow to find the “Jeep Yeti.” The first to find it will win an all-new Jeep Wrangler Arctic. The sweepstakes runs through Tuesday, Jan. 3.

“The extreme winter conditions of the arctic are the inspiration behind the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic edition,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Wrangler Arctic edition features a unique winter-themed exterior and interior design and the ‘Jeep Arctic Yeti Dig’ at the ‘2012 Winter X Games 16’ is the perfect setting for one of our Jeep fans and followers to win one of these vehicles for their very own.”

There are three ways to enter the sweepstakes:

• Facebook (www.facebook.com/jeep) – “Like” the brand and visit the sweepstakes page to submit a registration form and play the Jeep Arctic Yeti Dig game to receive entrance to the sweepstakes. Participants can receive up to three entries per day and an opportunity to double their entries by sharing the sweepstakes with their Facebook friends.
• Twitter (www.twitter.com/Jeep) – Follow “@Jeep” and, when prompted, tweet back to the brand (include the Jeep handle “@Jeep” and #yetidig). Participants will receive one sweepstakes entry, per a 24-hour time period, for their tweet during the promotion period.
• Jeep Blog (http://blog.jeep.com) – Visit the Jeep Blog and comment on the post at http://blog.jeep.com/2011/12/15/arctic-yeti-dig/ (include full name and email) and automatically receive one entry into the sweepstakes.

Two people from Facebook, Twitter and the Jeep blog will be randomly selected to attend the games with a guest and participate in the snow dig for the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic edition.

For more information and complete sweepstakes rules visit,https://chrysler.ignitesocialmedia.com/fb/jeep/yetidig/yetiRules.html. The sweepstakes is for U. S. residents only.

2012 Jeep Wrangler Arctic
Based on the Wrangler Sahara model, the Arctic’s winter theme is immediately recognizable. Available colors are Winter Chill, Bright Silver and Bright White. Exterior features include a body-color hardtop and fender flares, “Arctic” badges on the front fenders, a “Yeti Footprint” decal over part of the driver’s side fender and hood, black hood decal and Mopar® black fuel filler door and taillamp guards.

Jeep Wrangler Arctic also offers an aggressive Wrangler Rubicon tire and wheel package, with unique semi-gloss black 17-inch wheels shod with 32-inch tires.

Inside, Wrangler Arctic’s seats are black Tectonic fabric with Polar White accents and orange accent stitching. Front seats are heated and feature an “Arctic” logo in the seat back. Accent stitching can also be found on the steering wheel, arm rest and console lid. Door trim and nets are accented in orange, and all grab handles and dashboard vent rings are finished in Polar White trim.

Mopar tread pattern slush mats with white “Jeep” lettering complete the Wrangler Arctic package.

VW still at Dakar....just not competing.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE: AMAROK SUPPORTS THE 2012 DAKAR RALLY

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will return to the 2012 Dakar Rally as the event's official supplier for the third year. A fleet of nearly 40 vehicles, including 30 Amarok pick-ups, are being provided to the event's organisation team, the Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), as support vehicles. These will be used throughout the event, regarded as the toughest marathon rally in the world, which takes place from 1 to 15 January.

The 2012 Dakar Rally will see competitors from across the world lining up at Mar del Plata, Argentina before the 9,000 kilometre course takes them on a journey through Chile and on to the finish at Lima in Peru.

On the rally's rest day, some important visitors will join the event with Formula One legend Jacky Ickx showing Scorpions rocker Rudolf Schenker and boxing world champion Dariusz Michalczewski how to handle the Amarok Automatic safely under off-road conditions. Also, windsurfers Bjoern Dunkerbeck, Klaas Voget and Robby Swift will head into the Atacama Desert to experience surfing on the dunes.

The Amaroks and other support vehicles will be subjected to some of the toughest and most extreme terrain on the planet during the two week event. As the event's official support vehicles, they must be able to deal with everything this really fierce course can throw at them – from the Atlantic to the Pacific, through the Atacama Desert to the Andes mountains, through canyons, and across different climate zones.

For more information on the Dakar Rally 2012, please visit www.dakar.com.

Keep Up To Date with PSC's King of the Hammers Build

You can follow along with Poison Spyder Customs as they build their car for the 2012 King of the Hammers race in February.  Great pics as well as description of the progress.

Jeep JK-8 Kit Sales Exceeded Expectations

Since releasing the JK-8 conversion kits, Chrysler says it's production lines have been surprised by the number dealers have been requesting.  The forecasted between 200 to 300 kits for this years, however dealers have requested 400.  This is great news because it shows that the demand really is there.  MOPAR President Pietro Gorlier was careful to say they need "balance the excitement of those blogging with real (sales) numbers."  Gorlier goes on to say that when the next generation of Wrangler is released (expected 2015) a pickup will be considered.

Source:
Wards Auto

UPDATE-NHTSA Closes The Case On Clocksprings

We have updated details on the clockspring recall.  Although the recall only affects right hand drive Jeep Wranglers, Chrysler is extending the warranty for lefties.  2007 left hand drive Wrangler clocksprings will now be covered up to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

The NHTSA investigated about 180 cases of airbag warning lights because of faulty clocksprings.  Chrysler Group LLC said that 82 of 181 complaints were from right-hand drive Wranglers.  These Jeeps were mainly used by postal carriers in dusty, rural environments.  Chrysler recalled the 5,334 right-hand drive Jeeps from model years 2008-2012 last month, and agreed to replace the units with a housing that is less susceptible to contaminants.  

Source:
The Detroit News

2012 Griffin King of the Hammers-Poison Spyder Racing

Here's a great promo video for the Poison Spyder racing team for the upcoming Griffin King of the Hammers race.

In part two, Larry McRae discusses the 2012 car and how it differs from last years vehicle. For one, it will be competing in the new "Modified" class. Stay tuned for updates as they become available.

2012 Griffin King of the Hammers Schedule

Friday February 3^rd, 2012
o    9:00 AM Registration Opens – Means Dry Lake Bed
o    9:00 AM Technical Inspections for “Every Man Challenge” opens
o    9:00 AM Pre-Running Opens
o    6:00 PM Welcome Meeting – Non Mandatory
·         Saturday February 4^th, 2012
o    Continue Tech and Pre-Running
o    9:00 AM Standing safety briefing – All public service groups invited
o    5:00 PM Technical Inspections for “Every Man Challenge” close
o    6:00 PM Mandatory Drivers meeting for “Every Man Challenge”
·         Sunday February 5^th, 2012
o    6:00 AM Drivers Line Up – “Every Man Challenge”
o    8:00 AM Start of “SmittyBilt Every Man Challenge” race
o    6:00 PM Finish of “Every Man Challenge” race
·         Monday February 6^th, 2012
o    Pre Running Day
o    9:00 AM Safety Briefing – Recap Sunday’s Race
o    6:00 PM Mandatory Drivers meeting for participants in 4WPW Qualifying Days
·         Tuesday February 7^th, 2012
o    9:00 AM Start of Qualifying on 4WPW Qualifying course
o    4:00 PM Close of Day 1 of Qualifying
·         Wednesday February 8^th, 2012
o    9:00 AM Start of Day 2 of Qualifying
o    4:00 PM Close of Qualifying
o    6:00 PM Mandatory Drivers meeting for participants of PitBull UTV Race
·         Thursday February 9^th, 2012
o    8:00 AM Start of Pitbull UTV Race
o    9:00 AM Open Tech and Contingency
o    9:00 AM Safety Briefing
o    4:00 PM Close of Pitbull UTV Race
o    5:00 PM Close of Tech and Contingency
o    6:00 PM Mandatory Drivers meeting for Griffin King of the Hammers
o    7:00 PM Volunteer Staffing meeting
·         Friday February 10^th, 2012
o    6:00 AM Driver Line Up 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers
o    8:00 AM Start of race
o    10:00 PM Close of race
·         Saturday February 11^th, 2012
o    9:00 AM Winners Breakfast
o    9:30 AM Awards Ceremony
o    10:00 AM JK Experience trail run and clean up (non competition)
o    4:00 PM End JK Experience – Close of Event

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon named "Four Wheeler of the Year".

Four Wheeler magazine has named the 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon "Four Wheeler of the Year" due to it's "universal do-all capability allowing it to outperform all the other competing 4x4's."

Kaaaaaahn!

No....not that Kahn.

A. Kahn Design.  They have designed a "military edition" Wrangler.  According to Motor Ward, this military inspired Jeep can be yours for a mere £35,875 ($56,130).  What this gets you is the cool metallic grey paint, LED headlights and those wheels.  They also report that the bumpers and sidesteps have been revamped, however those look like the stock European ones to me.  The interior is festooned with red leather interior, aluminum pedals and a custom gauge cluster.  If you're wondering where the "military" in this military edition is.....you're not alone.

Source:

Motor Ward

The Rockness Monster headbutts a tree.

My buddy Mike hates trees. Just can't stand them. In fact he's been known to go out of his way just to let one know his true feelings. Joking aside, he is actually a very experienced and responsible off roader, but today just wan't one of his days. Enjoy.

Pentastar V6 recognized one of 10 Best

Chrysler Group’s Pentastar 3.6 – liter V-6 engine once again has been recognized by the editors of Ward’s Automotive as one of the “10 Best Engines”.


“Every year, Ward’s Auto recognizes the industry leaders in engine technology,” said Drew Winter, editor at Ward’s Auto. “Chrysler has successfully demonstrated the breadth of this engine and how it delivers on all fronts including fuel economy, lower emissions and power."


Named to the exclusive group of engines last year after its introduction in the 2011 Jeep® Grand Cherokee, the Pentastar V-6 engine is now standard or available on Chrysler 200, 300 and Town & Country; Dodge Avenger, Challenger, Charger, Durango, Journey and Caravan. For 2012, the Pentastar 3.6-liter engine also is now standard on the new Jeep Wrangler.


Editors tested the 2012 Jeep Wrangler and the Chrysler 300 in this year’s shootout. 


Designed to meet a variety of requirements across both front-and rear-drive models, the Pentastar V-6 also is the exclusive engine used with the new eight-speed automatic transmission on Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 models. The engine and transmission combination deliver 31 miles-per-gallon (mpg) on the highway. 


On Jeep Wrangler, the 3.6-liter engine improved fuel efficiency to 21 mpg on the highway while delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb. ft. of torque, improvement s of 40 and 10 percent, respectively.


“Since the introduction of the Pentastar V-6 engine just 16 months ago, we have produced more than 900,000 engines for front- and rear- drive passenger cars, minivans and sport utility vehicles,” said Bob Lee, vice president and head of powertrain and electrified propulsion systems engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. “We are continuing to look forward at adapting future technologies to the Pentastar V-6 as they become available for even more fuel efficiency and performance.”

Source:
Chrysler Media Release

Tony Pellegrino-GenRight Off Road

Who's ready for some KoH?  I know I am.

If you thought the 4 door Wrangler was a boat...

If you thought the 4 door Wrangler was a land yacht before....just wait til you see this.  Jeep recently released the Wrangler Nautic concept, designed specifically for the Salon Nautique de Paris (Paris Boat show).  Both Jeeps sport a "sailing/yachting" theme.  The white Jeep has more of a sailing feeling complete with faux-teak covered cargo floor and trim, white leather seats, chrome trim on the bumpers and taillight surrounds, and a rope material on the seats and spare tire cover.  The black Wrangler is the "yachting" version.  Essentially the same treatments, just darker in apearance.  Both Jeeps had a pair of canvas chairs, and a matching canvas top for lounging, presumably in the club parking lot since neither of these would see much time in the dirt.  Jeep has no intention of producing either of these.  Good thing, I think many Jeep owners would be tempted to drive these off a pier, just to see how well they float.

Source:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/jeep-wrangler-nautic-concepts-twin-tenders-for-power-yachts-and-sailboats/