USA - Chrysler group wins five POLK Automotive awards

• Chrysler Town & Country wins Polk Loyalty Award for record 13th consecutive year
• Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler win their respective SUV categories, Grand Cherokee for fifth time
• Dodge Challenger wins third Polk Loyalty Award for Non-Luxury Sport Mid-size Car
• Fiat 500 wins Non-Luxury Traditional Subcompact Car

The Chrysler Group starts off the 2014 calendar year by winning five Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards, presented by IHS Automotive. The Chrysler Town & Country won its 13th consecutive Loyalty Award taking the Non-Luxury Mid-size Van category, extending its own record of consecutive wins. The Jeep Grand Cherokee won its fifth award in the Non-Luxury Mid-size SUV category and the Dodge Challenger took Non-Luxury Sport Mid-size Car honors for the third time. Jeep Wrangler nabbed the Non-Luxury Compact SUV award and the Fiat 500 won the Non-Luxury Traditional Subcompact Car category, both winning their first Polk Loyalty Awards.

”Chrysler Group’s emphasis on owner loyalty across their lineup is an indicator that the organization is truly working with consumers to bring them back” said Jeffrey Anderson, director of loyalty and source of sales solutions at Southfield, Mich.-based IHS Automotive, a division of research and analytics firm IHS. “To see five awards across multiple segments is impressive, and Town & Country’s run is unprecedented.”
                                                                                     
The Polk Loyalty Awards recognize manufacturers for superior owner loyalty performance, which is determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same model or make. The 2013 awards are based on an analysis of more than 7.4 million new vehicle owners who bought new vehicles again during the 2013 model year.

“Winning five Polk Automotive Loyalty Awards is proof-positive of Chrysler Group’s drive to build the best vehicles on the market,” said Reid Bigland, Head of U.S. Sales, Chrysler Group LLC. “Customers will only come back if they trust their vehicles to deliver flawless quality and reliability, and these awards speak volumes about Chrysler Group’s extensive vehicle lineup.”

Chrysler Town & Country
The 2014 Chrysler Town & Country minivan is celebrating its 30th anniversary as one of the leading innovators in the segment it created back in late 1983. The world-class interior of the Chrysler Town & Country minivan is beautifully crafted with high-quality materials that are soft to the touch, and offers tech-savvy entertainment features and smart storage and seating options including Stow ‘n Go® seating with one-touch fold-down function, class-exclusive dual Blu-ray DVD entertainment system, navigation and SIRIUSXM satellite radio with Travel Link making the Chrysler Town & Country the ultimate family vehicle. A 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine produces a best-in-class 283 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a fuel economizer mode delivering up to 25 miles per gallon highway.

Jeep Grand Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokee completely redefines the premium SUV, delivering an unprecedented combination of best-in-class fuel economy and driving range, available clean-diesel technology, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, and a host of advanced user-friendly technology and safety features. For 2014, Grand Cherokee offers a new EcoDiesel engine with best-in-class 30 mpg highway and an unmatched driving range of more than 730 miles.  A new eight-speed transmission drives all Grand Cherokee engines, including the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 – achieving up to 25 mpg and more than 600 miles driving range – and the 5.7-liter V-8, now achieving up to 22 mpg.

Jeep Wrangler
The iconic Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – is equipped with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine delivering 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 21 miles per gallon. Jeep Wrangler delivers unmatched off-road capability with legendary four-wheel drive and is produced with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience.  Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers, and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offer a six-speed manual transmission – in addition to its five-speed automatic transmission.

Dodge Challenger
With record sales levels since the reintroduction of the Challenger in 2008, the Dodge brand’s performance icon continues to deliver exactly what muscle car enthusiasts want – a powerful and efficient engine lineup, iconic muscle-car design with numerous personalization packages. Dodge Challenger combines world-class ride, refinement and braking performance with more power and a track-tuned suspension to deliver a thrilling driving experience. With its award-winning 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine producing 305 horsepower and an impressive 25 mpg highway, the Dodge Challenger is the most powerful, refined and technologically advanced entry-level Challenger ever. And now with the return of “Scat Package” performance stage kits, plus the enthusiast-demanded Shaker performance hood with its HEMI® V-8 engine-mounted, fully floating scoop and exposed high-flow element for cold-air induction – the new 2014 Challenger R/T Shaker delivers up to 375 horsepower, performance and even more heritage-inspired style for the most hardcore Dodge enthusiasts.

Fiat 500
Reminiscent of the original 500 or "Cinquecento" born in 1957, the new Fiat 500 builds on the vehicle's global popularity. Since its initial launch on July 4, 2007, more than 1,000,000 Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries around the world. In addition to success on the sales front, the Fiat 500 has earned more than 80 international awards, including being named the 2008 European Car of the Year, 2009 World Car Design of the Year and Best New Engine of 2010 (Fiat MultiAir® Turbo). In the U.S., the 2012 Fiat 500 was named "Best Buy" in the subcompact category by Consumers Digest and was deemed a "Top Safety Pick" by the influential Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Jeep celebrates a win and highly commended in 4x4 awards

The legendary Jeep Wrangler continues to demonstrate its award-winning credentials after taking 4x4 Magazine’s 4x4 of the Year, Hardcore class for the second year running.

The award, which goes specifically to the four-door Wrangler, comes from the specialist publication’s panel of expert judges, who put the rugged US-built off-roader above some extremely capable competitors.

In the same awards, Jeep’s new Grand Cherokee received a Highly Commended accolade in the Premiums category.

In awarding it top honours, the 4x4 of the Year competition judges praised the Wrangler’s value for money, comfortable interior, off-roading ability, towing prowess and iconic design.

“The Jeep Wrangler remains 4x4 Magazine’s Hardcore Class champion. It effortlessly demonstrates its off-road capabilities with immense power and torque, while delivering a gorgeously low, first crawler gear for when finesse is needed,” says Nigel Fryatt, editor, 4x4 Magazine.

“All this in a comfortable, well equipped interior. Our only real criticism? There should be more of them around.”

“It's the classic 4x4 vehicle that is instantly recognisable the world over. The Jeep Wrangler is the essence of what Jeep stands for and we're honoured to receive a top award such as the Hardcore 4x4 of the Year," says Steve Zanlunghi, managing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK.

"We're especially happy to win in consecutive years as it speaks volumes for the design and capability of the current generation Wrangler."

The diesel-powered, automatic Wrangler returns 34.9 mpg (34.0 mpg 4-door) on the combined cycle and has a CO2 figure of 213 g/km (217 g/km 4-door). Prices start at £27,315 OTR for the two-door Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sahara, rising to £31,670 OTR for the four-door 2.8 CRD Overland Axle +.

Now with lower emissions of 198 g/km together with fuel consumption of up to 37.7 mpg (combined), the new Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel range also offers real value in terms of running costs. The new Grand Cherokee range starts at £36,995 (OTR) for the 3.0 CRD V6 CRD Laredo, rising to £49,495 (OTR) for the 3.0 V6 CRD Summit.

USA - Jeep® Wrangler Named SEMA’s ‘Hottest 4x4-SUV’ for Fourth Consecutive Year

Jeep® Wrangler Named SEMA’s ‘Hottest 4x4-SUV’ for Fourth Consecutive Year; Mopar Announces New Jeep Performance Parts and Accessories

• Jeep® Wrangler recognized as ‘Hottest 4x4-SUV’ for fourth consecutive year at SEMA
• New Mopar performance parts and accessories for the Jeep Wrangler have been added to the catalog of more than 300 already available

The Jeep® Wrangler was recognized as the “Hottest 4x4-SUV” for a fourth consecutive year at the 2013 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) trade show in Las Vegas. The SEMA Award recognizes vehicle models that specialty equipment manufacturers believe are the best platforms for accessorization and that showcase the year’s coolest products.

SEMA President and CEO Chris Kersting presented the award to Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Consumers are increasingly interested in customizing vehicles, so having an accessory-friendly platform is important,” said Kersting. “The Jeep Wrangler has consistently ranked Number One as the Hottest 4x4-SUV since the inception of the SEMA Award, a clear reflection of its versatility.”

“It’s amazing to have the Jeep Wrangler recognized for a fourth straight year by SEMA with this award,” Gorlier said. “The Wrangler is our most accessorized vehicle and to see it consistently winning accolades is a demonstration of the quality of the vehicle and the work that Mopar has put in to develop accessories and quality Jeep Performance Parts. Enthusiasts will be happy to know we have just added new offerings to our more than 300 performance parts and accessories already available for this vehicle to provide even more options for customization.”

Mopar and Jeep recently created Jeep Performance Parts as a portfolio of high-end, hard-core Jeep parts including axles, lift kits, bumpers, winches, skid plates and suspension components. These performance parts will offer factory-engineered solutions to increase off-road performance.

The following are the newest Mopar parts and accessories available for the Jeep Wrangler:

2014 Jeep Wrangler Trail Rated Kit: Strap it up and tow it along with this Trail Rated kit, which includes a durable, high-quality tow strap and two heavy-duty D-rings. A pair of gloves is included for protection and the kit is transported in an attractive Jeep carrying bag.

Front Axles: Engineered to exact specifications to bolt into any Jeep Wrangler from 2007 to 2014, these production front-axle assemblies come completely assembled and provide the next level of off-road performance. The Dana 44 axles include a 4:10 ratio, 5 x 5-inch bolt pattern and an electric locker with an available wiring kit.

Rear Axles: Engineered to exact specifications to bolt into any Jeep Wrangler from 2007 to 2014, these production rear-axle assemblies come completely assembled and provide the next level of off-road performance. The Dana 44 axles include a 4:10 ratio, 5 x 5-inch bolt pattern and an electric locker with an available wiring kit.

Hardtop Headliner:  Three years of development and testing were involved in creating this kit. The high-density foam-backed non-woven fabric serves a triple purpose, enhancing the appearance of the hardtop, boosting the efficiency of the Wrangler’s HVAC system and providing a quieter ride environment. Available for models 2007 and newer.

Black Grille: Juice up the Jeep Wrangler with personalized style by customizing it with a satin black grille. This Mopar accessory is a direct, easy replacement to the production body-color grille, and also features the hood seal and a matching black Jeep badge.

Side Visor:  Sunshine is a delight — up until it becomes a distraction. The fold-down Mopar side visor for the Jeep Wrangler is a low-cost, easy-to-install defense that blocks sidelong sunlight glare that can pull attention away from the road or trail.

2014 Jeep Wrangler
The iconic Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – kicks off the new model year with new features such as a new Trail Rated Kit featuring two D-rings, a tow strap, gloves and a bag to store the items.  Clear park lamps and turn signal indicators replace the amber units, and Sport models can now be equipped with the Uconnect 6.5-inch touchscreen radio with hard drive storage and SiriusXM Radio.  Sport models also have an available 32-inch Tire and Wheel Group featuring semi-gloss black 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels and BF Goodrich KM LT255/75R17 off-road tires.

Chrysler Group’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – two-time winner of the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines award – delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 21 miles per gallon. It is engineered to provide a broad torque band with a focus on low-end torque, an essential trait needed for extreme off-roading.  Engineers also designed the oil sump to provide oil to the pump even at extreme vehicle angles, and the alternator was placed up high so Wrangler can maintain its water-fording capability.

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler delivers unmatched off-road capability with legendary four-wheel drive and is produced with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience.  Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers, and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offer a six-speed manual transmission – in addition to its five-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep Brand
Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup consists of the Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models sold outside North America are available in both left and right-hand drive configurations and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC products are available in more than 150 countries around the world.

Mopar Brand
Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand and distributes 280,000 parts and accessories. With the creation of the industrial alliance between Chrysler Group and Fiat S.p.A., Mopar is extending its global reach, integrating service, parts and customer-care operations in order to enhance dealer and customer support worldwide. Mopar’s global portfolio includes more than 500,000 parts and accessories that are distributed in more than 130 markets. Mopar is the source for genuine parts and accessories for Chrysler Group brands as well as Fiat brands.
Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler Group and Fiat vehicles – a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide. A complete list of Mopar accessories and performance parts is available at www.mopar.com.

Mopar-first Features
Mopar has introduced numerous industry-first features including:

• Vehicle-information apps: first to introduce smartphone vehicle-information applications, a new channel of communication with customers
• Electronic owner manuals: first to introduce traditional owner manuals in a DVD and brief user-guide format. First to offer complete vehicle-information kits in Spanish
• Wi-Fi: first to offer customers the ability to make their vehicle a wireless hot spot
• Wireless charging: first to introduce in-vehicle wireless charging for portable devices
• Electronic Vehicle Tracking System (EVTS): first to market with interactive vehicle tracking device that sends owner a text when vehicle is driven too fast or too far based on pre-set parameters
• wiAdvisor: first to provide factory-connected tablet technology in the service lane for instant vehicle diagnosis
• wiTech: first to support vehicle diagnosis and software updates leveraging off-the-shelf personal computers and a dedicated wireless tool network
• 2011 Mopar Challenger Drag Pak: first to introduce a 500-plus cubic-inch V-10 drag-race package car

More than 75 Years of Mopar
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was trademarked for antifreeze product in 1937. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle-car era. The former Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use. The brand has expanded to include technical service and customer support.

About SEMA and SEMA Show
The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks

USA - New Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition to enter showrooms from November

• Following debut at Frankfurt Motor Show, new Wrangler Polar Edition to hit Jeep® showrooms in November
• New limited-edition Jeep Wrangler features new front grille with Black accents, body-color hardtop, aggressive 18-inch polished Gloss Black alloy wheels and Polar White interior finishes
• Standard Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential with available electronic locker for challenging the most extreme routes and the most demanding driving conditions in any weather

Jeep® Wrangler is legendary for its go-anywhere capability, no matter what challenges the weather or seasons may bring. To celebrate the upcoming winter season, the Jeep brand is bringing its new Wrangler Polar Edition, which made its debut at last month’s Frankfurt Motor Show, to U.S. showrooms in November.

“Jeep Wrangler is known for its 4x4 capability on any road or trail and in any weather condition,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO - Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “The new Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition represents a tip of the hat to our loyal Jeep enthusiasts who are also lovers of outdoor winter activities and adventures. This new winter-themed Jeep will get them where they want to go, in a fun, new, unique – and very capable – special-edition package.”

The new 2014 Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition takes inspiration from the severe climate and extreme conditions that characterize the Antarctic region. Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition was designed to express the freedom of going beyond the known limits to venture into unexplored territories:  an experience that only Wrangler enthusiasts can enjoy, thanks to the reliability and safety granted by a vehicle featuring benchmark technology and unmatched off-road capability. With its hostile routes and severe climate, the Antarctic region offers the driving conditions that the iconic Jeep Wrangler was engineered to conquer.

The "Polar" badge, located on the vehicle’s side next to the front fender flares, exhibits the 78° S and 106° E coordinates that correspond to the location of Vostok in Antarctica: the exact point where the absolute severest temperature in the world was recorded at -128.56° F (-89.2° C).

Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition
Featuring exclusive styling cues, 18-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels, and a body-color hardtop, the new Jeep Wrangler Polar will be available in both two- and four-door Unlimited versions. Based on the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the exterior of the new Wrangler Polar Edition boasts unique features such as the new front grille, Powerdome hood and the body-color hardtop with deep-tint sunscreen glass. A Gloss Black Jeep logo above the front grille and Gloss Black 18" alloy wheels enhance the distinctive look of the vehicle. Completing the exterior appointment of the new Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition is the unique, three-color hood decal, featuring the outline of mountains, and the black fuel-filler door from Mopar.

The interior features Black heated leather seats enhanced by Pearl White accent stitching and “Polar” logo embroidered on the upper portion of the backrests. Standard equipment also includes a black leather-wrapped steering wheel with Pearl White stitching and high-gloss Ceramic White painted bezels. Pearl White accent stitching is found also on the door armrests and center console lid. The passenger-side dashboard grab bar and dashboard vent rings are finished in high-gloss Ceramic White to create the contrasting effect of the light on Antarctic glaciers.

The exclusive cabin of the Jeep Wrangler Polar special edition also features an all-new cluster overlay with rings painted high-gloss Ceramic White and surrounding a blue instrument background with “Polar” logo. Mopar tread-pattern slush mats complete the interior appointments of the new Wrangler Polar Edition.

In addition to an all-new Hydro Blue, the Jeep Wrangler Polar Edition model is also available in Billet Silver Metallic and Bright White exterior colors.

Engineered to take on the most challenging off-road trails and snow-covered roads, Jeep Wrangler Polar is equipped with the Dana 30 front axle and powerful Dana 44 rear axle. Legendary Wrangler capability is achieved through the standard Command-Trac NV241 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. In order to handle any off-road track in utmost safety, the new Wrangler Polar model comes standard with the Trac-Lok anti-spin rear differential with an available electronic locking differential.

The standard equipment for on-board comfort includes automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with integrated controls, heated front seats, height-adjustable driver seat, Electronic Vehicle Information Centre (EVIC) and cruise control.

The new limited-edition model will be powered by the award-winning Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine that delivers 285 hp and 260 ft.-lbs. of torque and is paired to a standard six-speed manual or an available five-speed automatic transmission. Wrangler achieves up to 21 miles per gallon while still providing strong low-end torque necessary for easy off-roading.