Accelerate Mpls

This past weekend the Jeep Rocks and Road Tour visited Minneapolis. The tour is supposed to let people experience the capabilities of Jeep’s legendary vehicles. There is both on-road and off-road demonstrations provided, along with other fun-filled activities.

The tour in Minneapolis took over and transformed a vacant parking lot across from the Mall of America. The end result? A mud pit. Well it wasn’t a mud pit on Friday and Saturday. However, when I arrived on Sunday morning it was, due to rainfall Saturday night.

Though that did not make the event any less fun. The first thing I took part in was the Jeep Owner’s Playground. This was a course set up exclusively for current Jeep owners. If you brought your own Jeep you could take it through this course. The course had everything from a few high banked sand hills and rock trail, to a large hill with three humps to climb.

I was the first to hit the Owners Playground for the day. After about four runs, the large hill started to get too slick and the sides started to let me slide just a bit too much. The issue was all the rain from the night before. The entire course was becoming a sloppy mess. For safety, they shut down the large hill not long after my fourth run.

They also had plenty to do for non-Jeep owners. The main attraction was clearly the ability to drive the current line up of Jeeps on the main off-road course. Unfortunately the course had become so slick due to the rain that consumers were not allowed to drive.

Instead you were taken on the course with a professional driver. I was told a consumer did go first thing in the morning and walked away with eyes wide open. I took that to mean: “we could’ve had a problem, but we had the right staff on hand.”  I was glad to see safety was the first priority.

I went for a ride in the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited (Unlimited means four door). Naturally, the course was nothing this Jeep couldn’t handle – it took each obstacle in stride. Though the large 20 foot mountain was closed due to being too slick, I was told the Jeeps could make it up the mountain just fine. However, due to being so slick they might come down with more speed then they felt was safe.

Next up I visited the on-road course. This time I chose the new 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo for the drive. The new Grand Cherokee handled the washboard section much better then my current 1999 Grand Cherokee would have, mainly due to the new suspension. The vehicle also had a decent turning radius. The steering was on center, though maybe too light? I would need more seat time to give that statement without a question mark.

For the kids Jeep had both a climbing wall and Jeep branded Power Wheels mini vehicles. This set up satisfied the different age groups. No matter what, families had something to do for the kids. Also on hand was a Jeep Wrangler Islander edition. The task was to see who could unlatch and take down the soft top the fastest. The last station/task was essentially a balancing act, literally.

They had a Jeep Compass on a wooden platform that was set on a log. The goal was to balance the Compass on the platform so either side of the platform was not touching the ground. I was informed only a few people have achieved the task, and it really is almost luck. I tried for over ten minutes, only to get severely frustrated. I failed, though for the record, I came close. Finally I gave up, but only because another person wanted a try.

Of course, other things were on hand to look at. The new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland was in a tent to sit in and play with. A very old Jeep Willys (?) was on hand, though no touching was allowed. Also on site were quite a few modified Jeep Wranglers, one with a regular 5.7 liter HEMI and another with a 6.7 liter HEMI. Both were quite beastly.

Overall the Jeep Road and Rock Tour was a very entertaining way to spend my Sunday morning. Even with some drizzling rain and the course turned to a mud pit, it was a blast.

Everyone there seemed to be enjoying themselves, even the staff! You can tell many of the staff are true enthusiasts themselves. That really does add to the experience and energy level. Until the Jeep Rocks and Road Tour rolls through town again, drive safe and clean the mud off your undercarriage.

Photography- Alex Bellus

The Jeep Wrangler is a storied nameplate, with a dedicated fan base.  The Wranger I tested is a hardcore off-roading machine.  Frills are kept to a minimum (at least they used to be) and this vehicle has a dedicated purpose.  So what to make of the Wrangler?  Is it really only good for off-roading?  Is it all fun in the sun, even in the city?  I spent the week in this red rock (that’s name of the color) Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to find out.

Exterior-

The Wrangler has the same general shape for the longest time – and you know what they say,” if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”  The reality is that the Wrangler design is not broken, but rather it is timeless.  For a some time enthusiasts have longed for a longer wheelbase Wrangler with a real rear seat.  Jeep finally gave in and now we have the Wrangler Unlimited.  The Unlimited adds two doors, which brings the total to four- a new trick for the Wrangler.  The hood still features exterior clamps and the windshield has the ability to fold down onto the hood.  The entire hard top comes off, along with all four doors.  This leaves the top exposed – but fear not, the Wrangler has a factory roll cage in the unfortunate case you do flip over (it has been known to happen in a Jeep every once in a while).  The two round headlights flank the traditional Jeep slotted grille.  The front bumper has integrated fog lights and tow hooks and the rear bumper also has a tow hook.  The spare tire is mounted to the rear hatch, which does impair visibility slightly, but you will be thankful on the trail that you have the spare.

Interior-

The interior is a simple place to spend your time.  Hard plastics are everywhere and at first, I complained about it.  Then someone wise (make that a few people) on Twitter brought it to my attention that it is easier to clean hard plastics with a hose.  Suddenly, it made sense to me.  I will say that it is 2010 and the Jeep Wrangler can now be equipped with a factory hard drive-based navigation unit.  I never thought I would see the day! It actually works quite well.  Loading music onto the hard drive from my flash drive was a quick and simple operation.  Navigation was simple to use and the system was quick to operate.  The radio was decent enough. but nothing mind blowing.  The doors and roof are all plain, with only the necessary panels.  Not only can you get a navigation system, but you can also have power locks and windows! In that sense, this is the most luxurious Wrangler of all time.

Powertrain-

Currently, you have one engine option – a 3.8 liter V6 pumping out 202 horsepower and 237 pound feet of torque.  Of course, this power can be either sent to the rear wheels or all four with locking front and rear differentials in the Rubicon edition.  The Rubicon edition also features the trick electronic sway bar disconnect so you can have more suspension travel when off-roading.  The transmission was a four speed automatic, which in most vehicles we would be calling that archaic, but in the Jeep Wrangler it works fine.  The Wrangler is rated at 15/19 mpg and I averaged 15.2 mpg with mostly city driving.

The Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon I was in had a sticker price of $38,005.  That is a lot for a Jeep Wrangler!  The options on my test vehicle totaled nearly $6,000 over the $32,050 base price for the Unlimited Rubicon.  I’m not sure I would pay for the red paint, but the media center package which was the navigation and all that went along with it was $1,550, which isn’t bad for what was included.  The engineering that goes into the off-roading capabilities of the Wrangler is extensive. and that is where the cost of this vehicle comes from.

Someone recently asked me if they should buy a Wrangler.  He was all excited because it comes in a four door now.  He has three kids and lives in the city.  I asked him why he wants it.  His response, “it looks fun!”  OK, so marketing works.  I explained to him he would not use the vehicle for the intended purpose and would not be happy overall in the long run day to day.  He listened to my advice.  After my week with the Wrangler, I can say I gave good advice.

Final Thoughts-

Overall my impressions were positive.  This is still truly first and foremost a Jeep.  It was developed and engineered for off-road use.  It is highly capable while livable on-road.  That being said, I would not say this is a vehicle I would want to drive around on a daily basis if I was never planning on off-roading.  I would be able to tolerate the harsh ride if I was not planning on fully utilizing its capabilities on the weekends, but with almost no rear space in the back, it is not ridiculously useful.  If you do plan on off-roading and want a great vehicle to do such things, then this is a great SUV.  I can see people that live near the desert, near the mountains and near the woods loving this vehicle and really getting to utilize its capabilities.  Is the Wrangler a bad vehicle?  Absolutely not, but only if bought for the right reasons.

Full Disclosure- The review vehicle was provided by Jeep

Episode 24 starts with introductions including Justin Loyear from Cheers and Gears and this weeks guest William Maley also known as realmudmonster on Twitter.  Moving into the garage we talk about the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon I was in for the past week along with the Chevrolet Equinox Colin was in.  We then move along to the major news of the week segment.  This week included-

• New Fuel Economy Standards Still Use Old EPA Test
• Consumer Reports Flags 2010 Lexus GX 460
• Toyota Recalls 600,000 Sienna Minivans
• Saab had to foot the bill for the BLS
• Marchionne’s Chrysler may not survive as it exists today, analyst says

We then proceed to the clip of the week segment.  This week we featured a Toyota Avalon plane TV commercial. (Link)

Next came our main topic which was discussing ideas you would like to see on a Ford?

Last we discuss the past week on our respective blogs, Cheers and Gears,  AutoBird Blog and Accelerate Mpls.  The week in review included- my editorial on negativity in the auto industry and my review of the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado.  Cheers and Gears had a post on a new Subaru Legacy commercial.  Colin had a post about by the numbers in Germany.

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