Tag Archives: Jeep

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance

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F-150 VENOM 775 Supercharged

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042370

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042370

In the red corner, we have the stunning Venom 775, SWB F1-50 single cab Venom, with the heritage package. Under the hood lies a 5.0-liter Coyote engine that produces 775 hp & 685 lb-ft

In the red corner, wet have a beautiful two-door VENOM 775 F-150 sport truck that features the Heritage livery package and it really is a looker, with the contrasting white bits adding dollops of character to this truck. Under the hood of this single cab pickup lies a Coyote 5.0 liter Supercharged V-8 engine that produces 775 horsepower and 685 pound-feet of torque. It weighs in at 6050 pounds. You can switch between two or four-wheel drive. To top it off, the lowered suspension gives this sport truck a better stance.

Jeep’s Hellcat-powered Grand Cherokee Trackhawk

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042361

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042361


In the silver corner, we have a stock Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk that’s rocking a 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 under the hood and turns out 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels and tips the scales at 5356 pounds. Now out of the box, the Trackhawk is a beast and is mega when it comes to getting off the line.

Round One

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042364

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042364

The pair turn around and line up for a second pass. The driver in the Trackhawk switches it up to Track mode. Will that make a difference?

Now that we’ve looked at the numbers, let’s see how all this performance translates to on the track. They line up for the first pass. The hammer drops and despite being the heavier of the tow vehicles, here, it’ the Venom that took the lead from the get-go, and that gap only got bigger as the pair approached the quarter-mile line. Now the Venom is not your average Ford work truck and has even previously given the GT500 a tough time. So that’s round one to the sport truck.

Round Two

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042366

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042366

And it was a lead that only got bigger

For the second round, the driver in the Jeep switches it up to Track mode to see if that makes a difference. Well, long story short. It was. The Jeep had a much better launch this time around and it was neck and neck for quite some time, however, beyond 120, the F-150 began to pull away from the Trackhawk and mashed to clinch the win once again.

Final Thoughts

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042362

Stock Jeep Trackhawk Takes On The Venom 775 F-150 By Hennessey Performance - image 1042362

Now both vehicles employ a supercharger and pack AWD traction. The Jeep is lighter, but the Ford packs more power. Lets see how these numbers translate on track

This particular example of the Trackhawk is going to soon get an upgrade, taking its power output to 1000 horses. Can’t wait to see these two go head 2 head again to see if the added ponies make a difference.

Watch how things unfold in the video below

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Jeep Orange Peelz Concept Looks Sweet

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Orange PeelzOrange Peelz, one of a half-dozen Jeep concepts unveiled at Easter Jeep Safari, is quite possibly the easiest to replicate and drive on a daily basis. A two-door Wrangler, it uses Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) prototype half doors and a custom removable sunroof to let the sunshine in.

Orange Peelz

A JPP two-inch lift kit with Fox shocks, combined with custom steel fender flares, allows 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 mud-terrain tires on 17-inch JPP aluminum wheels full range of motion. Mopar valve stems with a Jeep logo are a nice finishing touch, though unseen in the photos or by most people passing by.

Orange Peelz

Someone in the design department seems displeased with the hood on the Wrangler or Gladiator and has a penchant for replacing them. On the Orange Peelz, there’s another concept hood that differs from those on the other EJS vehicles, this one with a Jeep Willys logo and custom black Mopar hood latches. JPP five-inch off-road LED lights are mounted to the base of the A-pillars, and just in case you can’t see what’s ahead a Mopar windshield made of Corning Gorilla Glass is there for a little added protection.

Orange Peelz

The Orange Peelz’ exterior has a black graphic stripe around its midsection, with vintage Jeep fender badges in black. The custom JPP Rubicon bumper has a two-inch grille guard and is fitted with an 8,000-lb. JPP Warn winch. Custom rock rails were added for protection, should the trail run turn into something a little more serious. A JPP swing gate hinge reinforcement is there to accommodate a larger-size spare tire, and the JPP center high-mount stop lamp (CHMSL) relocation kit centers the third brake light in its center. Tow hooks front and rear are of course color-matched because that’s what designers do.

Orange Peelz

Plaid interiors are also an overarching ‘theme’ this year, with the door panels, center console, seat inserts, and mid-instrument panels covered in this lively material. Orange stitching on the steering wheel cover, shifter boots, and the parking-brake handle cover completes the match.

Orange Peelz

Aside from the JPP cold-air intake and JPP cat-back exhaust system, the 285 HP, 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 is stock. Yes, there are a few items you can’t buy on the Orange Peelz, but overall it’s the one that’s closest to finding its way to your driveway. Now if we can just get Revo Reeves from Stitchcraft to tell us where we might find plaid upholstery material, it’ll be a dead ringer.

[Images: Jeep]

Jeep Easing Electrification Into Japanese Market, World to Follow

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<img data-attachment-id="1739330" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/2019_11_14_6028_wallbox_new4-1/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2019_11_14_6028_Wallbox_new4-1.jpg" data-orig-size="1920,1280" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"14","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 5DS R","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1573744368","copyright":"","focal_length":"115","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"1.3","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Jeep Renegade 4xe" data-image-description="

Jeep/FCA

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One of the main reasons Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is partnering with PSA Group is to help soften the financial blows of battery development, we literally just talked about it. But the French automaker has its own reasons for wanting to get into bed with the FCA, namely its rather diverse list of subsidiaries — with Jeep occupying spot número uno.

Despite being offensively American to some, Jeep is the sixth most-popular nameplate in the United States. It also happens to be world-renowned as an off-road brand and had made strong inroads in places you’d never expect. This has forced the brand to rethink its global appeal, requiring Fiat Chrysler to issue some market-specific models like China’s Jeep Commander PHEV and the Renegade 4xe — the latter of which is already sold in Europe and slated to launch this November in Japan. But these models are only the tip of the iceberg as FCA intends on meeting ever-tightening emissions regulations in major markets that aren’t the United States.

Purists will undoubtedly cry foul here. For many, if it isn’t powered entirely by combustible fuels and body-on-frame then it’s an abomination unworthy of the Jeep name. But these people are increasingly finding themselves edged out of the conversation as aggressive mandates in China and Europe leave the company with fewer options. As a positive, these changes are assumed to help improve the brand’s global volume — especially in Japan where Jeep is already the best-selling American brand.

<img data-attachment-id="1739326" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/jeep__4xe-17/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jeep__4xe-17-e1603743965756.jpg" data-orig-size="3184,2123" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"10","credit":"Ph.Alberto Giorgio Alquati","camera":"Canon EOS-1D X","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1593507777","copyright":"","focal_length":"95","iso":"200","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Jeep Renegade 4xe" data-image-description="

Jeep/FCA

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While positively dwarfed by the sales enjoyed by practically every Japanese brand selling domestically, Jeep still saw 13,360 deliveries in the Land of the Rising Sun in 2019 — placing it right between Volvo and Peugeot. With help from the Renegade 4xe, Fiat Chrysler thinks it can improve those numbers for 2021. According to Automotive News, the automaker expects to sell roughly 4,000 Renegades in Japan next year to that end. Around 10 and 20 percent of those are presumed to be of the hybrid persuasion.

From AN:

That overall volume may not sound overwhelming compared with North American Jeep sales, but the hybrid Jeep’s arrival taps into growing Japanese interest in both the brand and electrified vehicles in general, especially hybrids.

“We understand we need to be present with electrified vehicles,” FCA Japan CEO Pontus Häggström said. “Japanese consumers are keen on technology. This is the latest technology the group has.”

Jeep intends on electrifying every single model in its lineup by 2022, specifically so it can continue doing business around the globe. Barring some regulatory changes in the United States, plenty probably won’t be targeting North American customers. But they’ll be handy in other markets where the average engine size is much lower. Jeep’s even going to hybridize the Wrangler (which will be sold in the U.S.) and promised it wouldn’t lose a single shed of its off-road prowess.

<img data-attachment-id="1739328" data-permalink="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2020/10/jeep-easing-electrification-into-japanese-market-world-to-follow/jeep-renegade-th_4xe-65/" data-orig-file="https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Jeep-Renegade-TH_4xe-65-e1603743978526.jpg" data-orig-size="3184,2123" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"7.1","credit":"Ph.Alberto Giorgio Alquati","camera":"Canon EOS-1D X","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1593514797","copyright":"","focal_length":"300","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.0015625","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="Jeep Renegade 4xe" data-image-description="

Jeep/FCA

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In the case of the Renegade 4xe, Fiat Chrysler ditched the standard powerplant for a 1.3-liter gas burner (front axle) and a 60-horsepower electric motor (rear axle) mated to an 11.4 kWh battery. Jeep even has a Trailhawk version of the hybrid that positively trumps the old 2.4-liter Tigershark’s maximum output with combined (electric/ICE) 238 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque.

That’s not too shabby and will undoubtedly make it an appetizing alternative to something like the Suzuki Jimny, which may soon have the non-electric, mini-SUV off-roading world all to itself. Though it was recently removed from the European market after its positively tiny motor failed to meet emission regulations for 2021. Suzuki has gotten around this by selling the tiny 4×4 as a “light commercial vehicle” while it attempts to figure out a more permanent solution. But if that doesn’t illustrate exactly why Jeep is so sprung on hybridization, nothing does.

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Jeep/FCA

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[Images: FCA]

2021 Ford Bronco First Ride – Love at First Glance

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Last week marked the Ford Bronco’s 55th anniversary, with the model’s creator celebrating the momentous occasion by throwing an exclusive and socially distanced Bronco party in Holly, MI.

At this off-road soiree, Ford showed off its Bronco family adventure concepts, announced that 165,000 Broncos have been reserved since the July 13 reveal, and proclaimed that Austin, TX would be the first location of the Bronco Off-Roadeo (Ford’s spelling, not a typo) off-road adventure playground.

While all these pieces of information are great, they aren’t exciting enough to headline a Bronco Anniversary party. Instead, the headliners of this party were the off-road ride-alongs in the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport and the 2021 Ford Bronco 2-door.

For this event, Ford took over Holly Oaks ORV Park in Michigan’s Oakland County. Situated behind the towering 350-foot Mt. Holly ski hill, this 235-acre park consists of sand and gravel mines, both active and inactive. It is a joint venture between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Oakland County Parks system, and it’s scheduled to have its grand opening next month.

(Full disclosure: The author has placed a reservation on the Bronco.)

This yet-to-open ORV Park is an excellent place for the Blue Oval to demonstrate the off-road capabilities of its off-road-focused brand. Unfortunately, Ford didn’t allow journalists to drive the Broncos or take pictures of the pre-production interiors. Sad as it may be, we can still provide some feedback on Ford’s most anticipated product since the 2018 EcoSport.

First up was the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. Riding on the same platform as the Ford Escape, the Bronco Sport targets outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for adventure, Steppenwolf style. At this event, Ford showed off their most capable version of the Bronco Sport, the 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands. Starting at an MSRP of $32,660 with a destination charge of $1,495, it’s also the most expensive.

The 2021 Bronco Sport Badlands is powered by Ford’s ubiquitous 2.0-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Ford is targeting 245 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque in the Badlands. Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive comes standard. The Badlands trim also has an available advanced four-wheel-drive system with a twin-clutch rear-drive unit. Paired with Ford’s Terrain Management System that features up to seven G.O.A.T Modes (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain. Ford capitalizes both Ts, and yes, that technically spells G.O.A.T.T), the Bronco Sport starts to look, from the passenger seat, like a compelling off-road-focused product.

Dropping down the first hill in the park, it became apparent that the Bronco Sport in Badlands trim is more off-road capable than most other crossovers. It has a Subaru-like 8.7 inches of ground clearance and a torque-vectoring AWD system. In Sand mode, the Bronco Sport sliced easily through the floor of the former sand mine. The advanced four-wheel-drive system allowed for some wheel slippage in Sand Mode while never losing traction. When it comes to capability and enjoyment, the Bronco Sport Badlands feels similar on the sand to the Ford Focus RS in drift mode on the track. Part of that is because the rear differential on the Bronco Sport Badlands is similar to that of the RS.

On the trails, the Bronco Sport continues to feel extremely capable, again, as least as near as we can tell from the right seat. It handled mud and ruts with ease, climbed and descended the hilly terrain without complaint, and even plowed through the water hazard. While it was apparent that Ford set an off-road path that the Bronco Sport could handle, that doesn’t mean it isn’t an impressive vehicle off-road. If the Bronco Sport can handle loose gravel while traversing hills, mud, ruts, and some rocks, it should conqueror America’s crumbling infrastructure. For a vast majority of people, the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands will get you to wherever your adventure is located.

If you need to drive your adventure instead, there is the 2021 Ford Bronco. This is Ford’s direct challenge to the Jeep Wrangler’s American off-road supremacy. By the time the Bronco actually lands in dealerships, it will have been over four years since Ford made the announcement of the Bronco’s return. So was it worth the wait?

Yes. It was. The 2021 Ford Bronco appears to be a legitimate Jeep Wrangler competition.

Ford brought two pre-production two-door Broncos to the event. Luckily, we were able to ride in the vehicle with the top removed. Our ride came in the Outer Banks trim. Based on Ford’s Bronco trim documents, the Outer Banks is one of the more luxurious trim levels. It is the first Bronco trim that allows you to add leather, a 12-inch touchscreen, heated steering wheel, and the Bang & Olufsen ten-speaker audio system. This trim starts at $38,955 with D and D fees of $1,495. That is for the two-door version.

Under the hood of the Bronco provided was Ford’s 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 twin-turbocharged engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This engine and transmission combination is one of the most popular pairings in the Ford F-150. In the Bronco, the 2.7-liter engine is good for 310 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The V6 is not standard on the Outer Banks, but the 10-speed transmission is the only transmission available for that trim. That standard engine is a 270-horsepower, 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that also powers the Ford Ranger. The Outer Banks also features six G.O.A.T modes. Four-wheel drive is standard on all Broncos.

The most noticeable enhancement to our Bronco tester was the off-road-focused Sasquatch Package. This package includes 17-inch beadlock-compatible wheels, 35-inch mud tires, an electromechanical transfer case, locking front and rear axles, larger fender flares, a high clearance suspension, and heavy-duty Bilstein shocks. The Sasquatch Package is available on all Bronco trims. It requires the 10-speed automatic transmission and will have a price that varies by trim. So far, the price is as mysterious as Bigfoot himself.

Before hitting the trail, our driver demonstrated one of the Bronco’s off-road tricks; a spotter camera that shows you what’s in front of your Bronco. In certain G.O.A.T. Modes, the camera remains on for better visibility. In this instance, the camera showed off the steep incline we were about to enjoy.

As the Bronco descended into the off-road park, I was eager to see how it compared to the Jeep Wrangler. While I’ve had extensive seat time in a Wrangler, the ride can be unforgiving and harsh. I’ve been told that is the trade-off for a premier off-road experience. But maybe that’s just a Jeep thing. The Bronco’s monotube Blistein shocks feature remote oil reservoirs for better cooling and position-sensitive dampening. This smooths out the bumps over rocks and ruts while helping the Bronco attack sand and dirt.

Throughout the Holly Oaks ORV course, the Bronco’s powertrain felt much more powerful than the stated 310 horsepower. The 2.7-liter delivers a linear punch of power to all four wheels and provides blistering acceleration. Paired with the Sasquatch Package and G.O.A.T Modes, it feels as if you’ve unlocked some sort of off-road cheat code. Features like Trail-Turn Assist, which brakes the inside wheels when making a tight turn, and Trail One Pedal Driving, which lets you drive precisely with one foot while rock crawling, will help you feel like Ivan Stewart.

Despite all of these features, a good portion of the drive was spent with the G.O.A.T. Modes off. Our driver enjoyed the Bronco most while just putting the pedal down and navigating obstacles. Sand, rocks, hills, and water were minimal disruptions to the Bronco. All of this was completed in relative comfort with little drama. The Bronco with the combination of the 2.7-liter V-6, 10-speed transmission, and the Sasquatch Package seems to be the new off-road capability leader. We can’t wait for more Bronco seat time to fully verify that statement.

(Ed. note: The rumor mill suggests the first media drives of the Bronco will be next spring, pending the pandemic’s effects on travel. Of course, rumors are just that. Stay tuned to these pages and as soon as we get wheel time, and not just seat time, we’ll have a full first drive.)

While the two-door Sasquatch Package Bronco will most likely be the Bronco with the most capability, it’s easy to see that off-road adventure comes standard on every Bronco model. With six trim levels, numerous options, and over 200 accessories at launch, Ford is looking to take on Jeep. Based on our much-too-short ride along, Ford has the right product. Now they have to execute building and launching the vehicle. One-hundred and sixty-five thousand orders mean that a lot of people want a Bronco, but a lot of people also have high expectations of the Bronco. The good news for Ford is that if the 2021 Bronco performs like the pre-production model we rode in, they’ll exceed most of those expectations.

[Images © 2020 Adam Tonge/TTAC]