Archive for the ‘Jeep’ Category

As football season kicks off, fans are prepping the very best of their tailgating arsenal.  Perhaps the most important element of any memorable pre-game grill out is the centerpiece – your ride.  A tailgate-worthy SUV must be versatile enough to act as both shelter and storage.  Performance Auto offers a full line of SUVs that rise to the occasion, ready to meet fans’ pre-pigskin needs. Below are our top five picks:

2011 Ram 1500

Aside from its enormous storage bed and “game-face” appearance, the Ram 1500 has a few tricks up its sleeve that will surprise even the most experienced tailgater. Its most exciting feature may be the “RamBox” storage management system, providing weatherproof, illuminated, lockable storage compartments integrated into both fender sides. Coolers, grill tools, groceries and blankets will fit easily in these hidden compartments. To top it off, you can customize the interior of the truck with in-floor compartments for even more storage. One thing’s for sure with this truck – it will make your pre-game prep a breeze.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

As the athlete of the auto world, the Jeep Grand Cherokee brings its A-game to any sporting event. Get to the game early with your crew of up to five, who will fit comfortably in the spacious interior seating cabin. Don’t worry about room for your gear – chairs, a grill, coolers and even more can fit easily in the wide-mouthed back hatch, especially with the fold-down rear seat.

If you want to crank up some pre-game music or game coverage, the six-speaker, 506-watt sound system will surely provide crystal clear audio, with two 1-inch A-Pillar mounted tweeters, two front-door 6 x 9-inch full-range speakers and two rear-door 6.5-inch full-range speakers.

2011 Honda Odyssey

There is nothing mini about the presence of this car at any tailgating event. Its roomy interior and removable center console provide ample storage for standard game gear, and the robust sound system makes it a prime option for concert tailgates. Plus, it’s totally family friendly if the little ones want to stay inside the main cabin and watch the 16.2-Inch Honda DVD Ultra Wide Rear Entertainment System. Become submerged in sound as rhythms of the available 12-speaker Premium Audio System fill the cabin in 5.1 surround Sound Theater Mode.

2011 Lexus RX 350

Not every tailgate session has to get wild – for the more tame tailgaters out there, the Lexus RX 350 is a perfect mix of class and function to get you charged up for the event. Catch pre-game announcers or your favorite artist’s greatest hits on the Mark Levinson sound system, and feel free to open up the surprisingly large storage space of the back hatch to present your array of food and drinks. The remote touch navigation system will also come in handy when you try out a new shortcut, trying to beat the crowd home after the show.

2012 Ford Explorer

This multi-purpose party machine was born for parking lot shin digs. Not only can it house seven members of your crew, but all the ways it can transform to accommodate different cargo makes for an event of its own.  A 50/50 split-folding third row, 60/40 second row, and fully adjustable front passenger seat means the possibilities are endless. If your tailgate festivities leave you too exhausted to make it into the stadium, recline and relax inside the Explorer, while the game pumps through the premium HD sound system.

We’ve revealed our starting  line-up, now let us know what vehicle you’re working with this season. Comment below, or visit any of our Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Honda, Ford or Lexus dealerships to get more information on the contenders mentioned in this post.

In this last post of the three-part SRT-focused survey, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will sit in the spotlight…even though it truly shines for itself.

Nothing in life is perfect, but the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT 8 comes pretty darn close. Most commonly known for their rugged, adventurous flare, rarely would you hear commentary on the racing capabilities of such a SUV. Well folks, don’t limit this Jeep to its traditional off-roading category just yet.  A 6.4 Liter HEMI V8 engine, 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft. of torque make this Grand Cherokee the most powerful Jeep ever offered.

Don’t let the size and stature of this Jeep fool you — 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds will certainly smoke all other vehicles of similar size. The top speed is limited to 155 mph, unlike its brethren Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8 , which both top out at 175 mph. The Grand Cherokee SRT 8allows for the transmission, or driver, to be in control, with paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel for driver convenience.

Following suit with the rest of  the SRT family this year, the car’s active valve exhaust system allows for standard Fuel Saver Technology, adding to its already-long list of perks — it allows the car to engage over a wider rpm range,  resulting in an estimated 13-percent improvement in highway fuel efficiency and a 450-mile range.

The car’s sporty image is boosted with the addition of Pirelli P Zero run flat tires and an enormous 4 inch exhaust pipe, giving this puppy a growl. On the dash you’ll find a Performance Page screen, which tracks your speed and agility, storing information so you can attempt to “score higher” than your last performance.

Perhaps one of the most distinguishing features of this model is the Selec-Track traction-enhancing system, featuring five separate driving modes (Auto, Sport, Snow, Tow and Track) which optimize the traction and control for any given situation. The Selec-Track system also manages a new adaptive damping suspension, giving this Jeep an extraordinary handling system.
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what makes this Jeep special. It’s truly a standout, for Jeep enthusiasts and muscle car aficionados alike.

For more information about the Grand Cherokee SRT and other SRT models, visit the official SRT page at http://drivesrt.com/. Baxter Chrysler Jeep Dodge is the #2 volume SRT dealer in the country year to date.  The Challenger SRT 392’s are already in stock and the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT models will be hitting the ground in September/October 2011 (all incoming units are already sold) and the new 2013 Viper will be available around July 2012.

After 70 years of excellence, the Jeep name is as common as Coca-Cola and as American as apple pie. Since its wartime debut in 1941, Jeep has stood strong and expanded across the globe to be one of America’s leading automakers.

Originally designed for the U.S. Military in 1940 as a lightweight reconnaissance vehicle, the Jeep was named after the Popeye comic strip character “Eugene the Jeep,” who was able to do anything. Jeep shipped 1,500 units of its “do anything” vehicle overseas to the U.S. Army in 1941 and has been going strong ever since.

“The Jeep brand’s legendary heritage and capability have made it iconic, well-known and loved throughout the world,” said Mike Manley, CEO of the Jeep Brand.

This year Jeep is celebrating its 70th year of production with limited editions of every vehicle in their lineup. Special editions, available in bronze, silver or black, include:

Jeep Compass, $24,270

• 23 city/29 highway mpg
• 2.0-Liter, 4-Cylinder or 2.4-Liter, 4-Cylinder engine
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Dark slate seats
• Berber Floor mats

Jeep Grand Cherokee, $35,715

• 16 city/23 highway mpg
• 3.6-Liter V6 or 5.7-Liter V8 engine
• 20-inch wheels
• Dark olive leather seats
• Berber floor mats
• Graphite anodized paint

Jeep Liberty, $24,770

• 16 city/22 highway mpg
• 3.7-Liter V6 engine
• 18-inch aluminum wheels
• Dark slate leather seats
• Berber floor mats
• Leather steering wheel

Jeep Patriot, $22,170

• 23 city/29 highway mpg
• 2.0-Liter 4-Cylinder or 2.4-Liter 4-Cylinder engine
• 17-inch aluminum wheels
• Dark slate seats
• Dark green cluster overlay
• Berber floor mats

Jeep Wrangler, $28,670

• 15 city/19 highway mpg
• 3.8-Liter V6 engine
• 18-inch wheels
• Dark olive seats
• Satin chrome finish on front door pulls and grab handle
• Leather steering wheel
• Brushed aluminum sill plates

Adding to the excitement of Jeep’s 70th anniversary is Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Chrysler Group, LLC’s announcement of the Jeep Wagoneer’s comeback. After being discontinued in 1991, the Jeep Wagoneer is expected to resume production to come back as a 2013 model in Jeep’s lineup.

The 2013 Jeep Wagoneer will replace the Jeep Commander and is expected to be an upscale sports utility vehicle. It will most likely have a seven-person seating capacity and the ability to pull a boat, according to Detroit News.

With 70 years of excellence in build and performance, Jeep is here to stay! If you want to celebrate Jeep’s 70th anniversary with a performance-driven Jeep of your own, visit any of our three Baxter and Performance Chrysler dealers in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska to check out the line-ups!

If you’re a camping enthusiast always looking for a new place to sleep in the great outdoors, Jeep has the perfect addition to your camping gear: The Jeep Trail Edition Camper.

The aluminum pop-up Jeep Trail Edition Camper, starting at $9,995, allows you to tow your camping quarters anywhere you want to go with your Jeep Wrangler. The heavy-duty hitch can be color matched to your Wrangler or you can opt for a pintle hitch with a 360-degree rotating axis for even better off-road performance.

Setting up the Jeep Trail Edition Camper is simple and easy. It only takes about 15 minutes before you can lay back and enjoy your home away from home, which includes:

• Sleeping quarters for four people
• Queen sized bed
• Sofa, which converts to a full-size bed
• Aluminum storage locker
• Stowable center table
• 110-volt power inverter
• Window screens and privacy shades
• 76 inches of headroom

If you really want to take your camping to the extreme, you can opt for the Jeep Extreme Trail Edition Camper, which starts at $11,995. The extreme edition gives you even better off-road capability and additional trail equipment. It includes:

• Heavy-duty frame
• 15 inches of ground clearance
• Full-underbody skid plate
• Higher fenders to accommodate up to 37-inch tires for maximum off-road performance

In addition to all the great features the Jeep Trail Edition and Extreme Trail Edition Campers offer, Jeep and Mopar offer accessories to further enhance your camping experience:

• Mopar’s black aluminum Jeep Wrangler taillight guards
• 10-foot by 10-foot exterior awning with screen enclosure

Take your camping trip to the next level and check out our lineup of Jeep Wranglers and Jeep Trail Edition and Jeep Extreme Trail Edition Campers at any of our Nebraska showrooms!

Chrysler has been working hard on the production of a new engine – the Pentastar V6. The new engine is already in place in the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the 2011 Dodge Durango, and is expected to replace seven other engines in 12 other Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge models over the next three years. The engine will give these vehicles increased performance while simplifying the production process and improving engine quality. Vehicles scheduled to receive the Pentastar V6 include the Chrysler Town & Country, 300 and 200 (previously the Sebring), as well as the Dodge Journey, Avenger, Charger and Caravan.

Vehicles with the Pentastar V6 will see an increase in fuel economy and a reduction in emissions. These cars will be up to 11 percent more fuel efficient and able to run on either regular gasoline or E85 fuel. They will also see a boost in performance with increased horsepower and torque.

Overhead costs for vehicles with the Pentastar V6 will be reduced, thanks to the simplified engine. The Pentastar reduces major components from 189 parts in some cases, down to 32. This also makes the Pentastar V6 lighter than all the engines it is replacing.

Increased performance, better fuel efficiency, simplified production and lower costs… sounds like a win all around!