All posts tagged jeep

The Six Greatest Off-Roading Vehicles of All Time

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/10 in Off the Road with Comments Off on The Six Greatest Off-Roading Vehicles of All Time

Off-road driving is by far one of the most exhilarating experiences you can have behind the wheel. Everyone is used to driving their vehicle on city streets and freeways—having the ability to drive your vehicle across all sorts of different terrain appeals to adventure lovers everywhere. For those who hear the call of rocky terrain and wide open spaces, there are plenty of excellent off-roading vehicles to choose from:

Ram 1500

4-wheel-drive trucks can be some of the best vehicles for off-roading. The Ram 1500 is no exception. It has a powerful V8 engine and it’s what comes to mind when people think of an American pick-up truck. Sturdy, bulky, and packing quite the punch with its up to 395 horsepower, the Ram 1500 will more than satisfy all of your off-roading needs.

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

The Jeep brand has become synonymous with off-roading. You could pick just about any Jeep you want and it would be a great off-roading vehicle. However, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the quintessential off-roading Jeep. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has lockable front and back differential, making it an adaptable vehicle with a great 4-wheel-drive option. When it comes to off-roading, just about any Jeep will suit you just fine. The Rubicon, however, has the look and the performance that makes it ideal for driving on alternate terrain.

Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback isn’t just a great family car; it’s also an excellent off-roading vehicle. Subaru is known for having many years of success in the rally circuit. The Outback shows that Subaru has a good idea for what makes an off-roading vehicle work. The Outback has great clearance and a symmetrical all-wheel-drive system.

Chevy Silverado Z71

The Chevy Silverado Z71 is another pick-up truck that has become a fan favorite when it comes to off-roading. This is a special model of the popular Silverado line designed specifically for off-roading. With excellent off-road suspension, easy handling, and excellent performance in low gear, the Silverado is one of the best pick-ups for off-roading.

Hummer H1

The Hummer H1 is a powerhouse. While you may not see a lot of them on the street anymore, they are still great SUVs for off-roading. With extremely high ground clearance, huge tires, the Hummer H1 can handle just about any terrain you throw at it. For this reason, the H1 has become a favorite of the American military, widely used to transport soldiers and supplies across the harshest terrain.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The Land Cruiser is the go-to off-roading vehicle in parts of the Middle East and Africa. Toyota installed crawl control which uses a computer to adjust speed so that the driver can focus on steering. According to an Edmonton truck parts expert, the Land Cruiser is the most durable and cost-effective off-roading vehicle on the market.

All in all, there are many different off-roading vehicles to choose from. What you use for your all-terrain adventures depends on you, but for the best experience with your vehicle, one of those listed above will always be a great choice. Whether it’s a car, truck, or SUV, these are the unquestionably the best off-roading vehicles to grace the world.

Informational Credit to Tonka 4-Wheel Drive Ltd

Volkswagen, Jeep Mull Pickup Truck Options

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/25 in Volkswagen with Comments Off on Volkswagen, Jeep Mull Pickup Truck Options

After falling to historically low numbers during the last recession, the pickup truck market has rebounded. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan and Honda each participate in this segment, serving up a variety of vehicles to meet consumer demand.

While Chrysler serves up Ram trucks, its Jeep division hasn’t had a model in decades. Volkswagen is a one-time player too, but it also lacks a model. Both manufacturers are weighing their options, considering what choices they have to get back in the market.

The following are among the ideas that may make this possible.

Jeep Pickup Truck

Jeep built the J10 pickup truck from 1971 to 1988. When it came to the end of its product cycle, Jeep was no longer part of American Motors, but firmly in Chrysler’s camp. And with Chrysler heavily vested in developing a new truck for Dodge, Jeep was left without a model of its own.

The Jeep Gladiator concept was developed in 2005 in a bid to gauge customer interest. The interest was there, but the DaimlerChrysler marriage was in trouble and headed for divorce. A healthier company probably would have developed this vehicle, but the timing just wasn’t right for Chrysler.

Jeep appears likely to get a pickup truck and a model based on the current Wrangler. At a special automotive event in Utah in 2012, Jeep showcased the J-12, itself based on a modified Wrangler body. It has a traditional look, a midsize truck concept that find niche customers if it is ever built. A 3.2-liter V-6 gasoline engine would be a natural fit as would the Italian-supplied 3.0-liter turbo diesel found in other Chrysler products.

Volkswagen Pickup Truck

Have you ever heard of the Volkswagen Amarok? Only if you are diehard VW fan. That pickup truck is of unibody construction and has been sold in dozens of markets beginning in 2010, but it isn’t available in North America. Volkswagen would love to regain the toehold it once enjoyed with its 1980s-era pickup truck based on the Golf/Rabbit platform, but it hasn’t made a commitment yet.

The Volkswagen Amarok would complete against other midsize trucks including the Chevrolet Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, Nissan Frontier, and the Honda Ridgeline. Unfortunately, the Amarok may be too small to make much of a difference. It is powered by gas and diesel engines displacing at just 2.0 liters, which are quite small for today’s trucks.

What Volkswagen may do is develop a pickup truck exclusive to the North American market. That would require a significant investment in resources, at least $1 billion, with no guarantee of a sure return. One way to accomplish this goal without busting the bank is to share product development with another manufacturer. And with Hyundai and Kia both desiring to enter the market, a joint-development could be in the works with its Korean competitors.

Looking Ahead

Both Jeep and Volkswagen might jump back in the market if the newly reintroduced Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon succeed. Some manufacturers have given up on the small truck segment, but Toyota and Nissan haven’t. With GM now the third manufacturer battling it out, if sales rise across the board, then additional players may commit.

Erin is a professional blogger that provides tips and information on franchise opportunities and investments. He writes for Franchise Expo, the place to find the best franchise opportunities available.

Image source: wikipedia