Recent content by patfromigh

I'm optimistic because the new Jeep Compass and Cherokee both look to be winners and at the same time definitely look like Jeeps. On the Jeep side of the ledger this will plug the sales leak where the old Compass sits and leaves a lot of room for Chrysler and Dodge products with very different...

The Toyota Grand Highlander has two different hybrid systems. The first one is the legacy hybrid with an e-axle while a second hybrid system is the Hybrid Max. The Max uses an Aisin 6-speed auto with an e-motor replacing the torque converter. This transmission is combined with a 2.4 four...

The replacement for the GC Trackhawk is the Wagoneer S. The Wagoneer S is a victim of poor timing, finalized as a battery electric only model and then introduced just as the bloom had faded for EV market demand. My suggestion will upset the IC engine purists, but the solution is adding an ICE...

In Europe Stellantis sent a lot of good hybrid transmissions to the dumpster in favor of the Punch. I expect the Compass to have a hybrid emphasis, but if they cheap out that will haunt Jeep big time.

This new Compass has a lot of potential for our market. They could easily blow it with the wrong transmission choice.

I hope the new management team understands not everyone wants expensive high performance vehicles. We don't shop for economy cars in boutiques. We love pickup trucks, but only in moderation for a number of us. (In other words give us the Rampage.) That 1.6 liter PSA engine coming from Dundee...

What ever happened to the next-gen ZF hybrid transmissions? Both the Pentastar V6 and Hemi are running 48V, some would also want an e-motor in the transmission to compliment the BSG. Mild hybrids don't have plugs, so none of this would compete with a future Ramcharger.

We're still waiting on the Giga Panda which is on a stretched version of the Smart like this Opel.

The Jeep Wagoneer S is built on the same platform and uses the same architecture as the KM. The "S" has a 113" wheelbase and is 192.4" overall. The KM Cherokee has different front and rear styling so overall length will be different but very close. The two row Grand Cherokee is only an inch and...

_____ Jeep Patriot Opel Frontera

The Opel Grandland PHEV uses a high voltage eDCT. The Stellantis media announcements haven't gone into any detail on it. I don't know enough of the EU side to be 100% sure where it is sourced from. The Cherokee is based on the STLA Large platform, we still don't have many of the technical...

I just saw the 2026 Jeep Patriot. It is hiding inside the LWB Opel Frontera, which debuted on Wednesday, June 25. https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/opel/press/opel-frontera-the-flexible-family-friendly-suv-with-plenty-of-space Maybe it's just me, but I'm reminded of the Patriot from some...

Has anybody really heard what hybrid system this Cherokee uses? If it's the Punch transaxle run away. Is it a 48V mild hybrid or a high voltage full hybrid? Which or whose design will it be?

To quote the article, " It’s a mild-hybrid setup that combines a 12-volt Belt Start Generator (BSG) motor with a lithium-ion battery. Peak output? Just 70 horsepower, but that’s right in line with the last 500 Hybrid and Fiat Panda Hybrid, which shared the same powertrain." I would call this a...

My 1974 Dodge D-100 had an 8-foot and a 131" wheelbase and was considered a full size truck. The 2025 Toyota Tacoma has the same 131" wheelbase and yet today it is considered a mid-size.