Newtechfresh | Consumer Electronics Guide: JEEP

The special-edition Jeep Wranglers keep coming in, with the latest being the Rubicon X Package introduced at the Geneva Auto Show. Based on the off-road oriented Rubicon trim level, the new special-edition model for Europe brings exclusive styling cues and functional features.

The styling package includes a seven-slot black front grille with black inserts, black painted 17-inch aluminum wheels, dual-intake Power Dome hood, deep-tint sunscreen glass, Mopar black fuel-filler door, body-color hard spare-tyre cover, as well as a standard body-colored hard top, which is a first on the Rubicon.

The new body-color hard top is included in the standard Dual Top configuration that offers the possibility to have both the Sunrider soft top and the three-piece modular Freedom Top in one package. Finally, the Mopar rock rails add functionality to the Wrangler.

On the inside, the Wrangler Rubicon X Package brings red or black leather seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel, standard heated front seats, silver accents across the cabin and Mopar tread-pattern slush mats.

Other standard features of the special-edition Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X Package are the UConnect multi-media infotainment and navigation system with 6.5-inch touchscreen, 40-gigabyte hard disk, USB compatibility, AUX port, DVD player, and voice-activated Bluetooth UConnect Phone.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon X Package will be introduced in Europe in the second quarter of 2014, as both a two-door Wrangler and four-door Wrangler Unlimited. The model will be available with two engines, the 200hp 2.8-liter turbo diesel unit and the 284hp 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar petrol unit. Both engines are paired with a five-speed automatic transmission.

PHOTO GALLERY

If you want to go big in the automotive world today, you have to think small, and that's precisely what Jeep is doing with the new 2015 Renegade that was officially revealed on at the Geneva Motor Show.

Jeep's entry in the small SUV category willchallenge the Nissan Juke offering a boxier body with more rugged looks and increased off-road capability.

The latter holds especially true with the trail rated "Trailhawk" model that gains a 20mm (0.8 inch) increased ride height, a Select-Terrain system with exclusive Rock mode, Active Drive Low, 17-inch all-terrain tires and unique fascias that deliver 30.5 degree approach, 25.7 degree breakover and 34.3 degree departure angles.

Jeep's new model shares its underpinnings with the upcoming Fiat 500X and the existing 500L minivan and has been designed to accept up to 16 powertrain combinations, including four Multiair petrol engines, two Multijet diesels, flex-fuel capable units, two manual, one dual clutch and a segment-first nine-speed automatic transmissions.

In North America, engine options will include Fiat's familiar 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four producing 160hp and 170 lb-ft of torque paired to a six-speed manual, and a 2.4-liter four-pot with 184hp and 177 lb-ft linked to a nine-speed automatic.

In Europe, there's a more comprehensive engine range comprising three petrol and two diesels. These include 170PS (168hp) and 140PS (138hp) turbocharged and naturally aspirated versions of Fiat's 1.4-liter Multiair four-pot, and the aforementioned 184hp 2.4-liter Tigershark petrols, plus the 110PS (108hp) 1.6L, 120PS (118hp) 1.6L and 140PS (138hp) 2.0L diesels.

Jeep offers two all-wheel drive systems, the full-time Active Drive that sends up to 100 percent of torque to any axle when necessary, and the Active Drive Low that comes as standard on the Trail Hawk and which adds a low range with a 20:1 crawl ratio in first gear, while also employing hill-descent control and Selec-Terrain traction control with Auto, Snow, Sport, Sand/Mud options (plus Rock 4x4 on the Trail Hawk).

A mention should be made to the two available My Sky open-air roof systems, with manual removable or the removable with power tilt/slide feature honeycomb fiberglass polyurethane roof panels that can be stowed in the cargo area.

The Renegade will be the first Jeep model to be produced exclusively outside the U.S., as it will be built alongside the Fiat 500X in Melfi, Italy. Pricing and further details are to be announced.

PHOTO GALLERY