2014 Jeep Cherokee Summit Revealed on the Road in San Francisco
For 2014 Jeep has mildly upgraded their flagship Grand Cherokee with a new from fascia and a softer and more expensive interior.
Of course the big news is that the new 2014 Grand Cherokee now comes with an 8-speed transmission and for the first time can be had with a diesel engine.
Recently we had the opportunity to test and review the 2014 Grand Jeep Cherokee Summit off-road in Texas.
But for those of you considering buying the vehicle we also recently discovered this on-road manufacturer video of the new Jeep taken in San Francisco. As the 2014 model is not yet in dealerships, here’s a sneak peak of the Jeep on the hilly roads of Northern California.
This is manufacturer B-Roll video of the new 2014 Grand Jeep Cherokee Summit.
It includes video of the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit on the road in San Francisco with spectacular photography of the newest Jeep as well as the Golden Gate Bridge.
It’s a sign of the times – one of the fastest American production vehicles is now an electric. Yes, an ELECTRIC. As the world’s fossil fuel reserves slowly dwindle and global warming takes its toll, the newest mean green machine – the Detroit Electric SP:01, took center stage last week in Shanghai. Based on a Lotus platform, much like the now-defunct Tesla Roadster was, this SP:01 is aimed at environmentally-conscious buyers who don’t want to sacrifice spirited driving for sustainability.
Weighing in at a mere 2,354 pounds, the SP:01 certainly embodies the Lotus ethos of low weight and high power to create a sensational driving experience. A mid-mounted 201 horsepower electric engine powers this sports EV from 0-60 in a staggering 3.7 seconds, not to mention a respectable top speed of 155 mph. Detroit Electric engineers toiled over weight-saving measures for both the car’s body and battery pack, utilizing carbon wherever possible, and their efforts are obvious in the SP:01’s performance numbers.
How the SP:01 achieves such performance, however, is one of its most interesting features. Unlike traditional electric motors, the SP:01 creates a field of electrons around its rotor shaft, which subsequently spins to create forward motion in one of four gear ratios. This system can create instantaneous, head-snapping torque at virtually any speed, and, most importantly, makes shifting the manual transmission virtually unnecessary to maintaining momentum.
As if the SP:01 didn’t already offer enough, its Lithium-ion battery packs can store up to 37 kWh of charge, giving the car a maximum range of 190 miles between recharges. Such a range makes the SP:01 a highly usable car on a daily basis, with commutes back and forth to work and short road trips completely within reach. Detroit Electric claims they achieve such numbers through the SP:01’s clever power regeneration system: not only can the car reclaim lost kinetic energy from the brakes, but it can also recharge the motor when acceleration is interrupted by traffic conditions. All of this makes for a seamless, efficiency – if not also immensely gratifying – driving experience for anyone lucky enough to get behind the wheel of an SP:01.
The SP:01’s high quality looks and performance features certainly carry over to its sumptuous interior. Carbon fiber and rich leather upholstery abounds, creating an aura of luxury that caresses passengers. Even the SP:01’s infotainment system – named SAMI (Smartphone Application Managed Infotainment System) – works seamlessly with all major smartphones, much like many of today’s modern luxury vehicles. SAMI can play personal music, make phone calls, adjust interior climate and lighting settings, and can even locate the vehicle via satellite, all super convenient features that showcase the future of the smartphone-vehicle relationship.
If you’re willing to shell out the SP:01’s $135,000 base price, finding one on the market may prove quite a challenge. Only 2,500 examples will be built per year, and 35 of these have already sold in pre-production. Sales will only increase once the car is launched in earnest, so if you’re itching for the sporty, futuristic SP:01, act now. Expect US sales to begin this August.
Take a look at TFLcar’s review of the SP:01’s predecessor, the Tesla Roadster, below. Enjoy!
What if Toyota designed the iconic Fiat 500 Jolly beach car?
Have you ever wondered what it might look like if Toyota decided to design a beach car.
You know…sort of like the Iconic Fiat 500 Jolly, or perhaps VW’s version of the same car which it called the Beetle Jolly concept (see below)
You don’t have to wonder any longer.
Meet the Toyota ME.WE.
Toyota says of the new concept:
“It is a no-extras package, conceived as an ‘anti-excess’ vehicle. In short, the Toyota ME.WE represents the transition from the culture of ‘more’ to the culture of ‘better'”.
The original Fiat 500 Jolly
Toyota says the ME.WE. is a all in one pick-up, convertible, and off-roader. Outside Toyota has added interchangeable body panels, that are 100 percent recyclable and that weight only 31 pounds.
The ME.WE. runs on electricity with four independent motors mounted on the inside of each wheel.
Size wise the ME.WE. is 135.4-inches long, 68.9-inches wide and 63-inches tall, or about the same size as a MINI countryman…give or take a few inches.
The ME.WE was designed in part by French architect Jean-Marie Massaud.
We think that perhaps Jean-Marie Massaud should have studied the iconic Fiat 500 Jolly more, and a golf ball less, before he penned the design of the Toyota ME.WE.
But you be the judge.
Check out both the Toyota ME.WE below and Volkswagen’s version of the same Fiat 500 Jolly concept from 1960 below.
The Toyota ME.WE Concept Car
This is the Toyota ME-WE-Concept. They will never build it. Bummer.
Get up close and person with the 1960 Volkswagen Beetle Jolly below.
Run what you Brung # 1: How fast is a modified Ford F-250 Diesel from 0-60 MPH
Run what you Brung is TFLcar new feature that pits our viewers vehicles against the altitude and the clock.
In this first episode we test a 2008 Ford F-250 Diesel pickup from 0-60 @ one mile above sea level to see just how fast a 4X4 heavy duty Diesel pickup will go with the right modification.
Do you think that it is possible for a heavy duty Ford to break 5 seconds from 0-60 MPH?
That seems like a tall order especial since there’s less air pressure at a mile above sea level which robs engines of horsepower.
To find out the answer…just watch TFLcar’s Run What You Brung below.
David Coulthard, Sebastian Vettel, RedBull Racing, and Infiniti in Sochi, Russia
Infiniti, RedBull, Sebastian Vettel, and David Coulthard recently visited the Sochi Olympic Park Circuit in Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. The purpose of the visit was to promote the upcoming 2014 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Russia as well as the 2014 Winter Olympics. It also gave Sebastian Vettel the opportunity to be the first active F1 driver to visit and drive the yet unfinished Sochi circuit.
Infiniti increased their sponsorship commitment with the RedBull F1 team this year and also hired Sebastian Vettel as the Director of Performance at Infiniti. This means that the young three-time F1 World Champion will participate in development and tuning of all future Infiniti production vehicles. In fact, he brought a 2013 Infiniti FX Vettel Edition with him to Russia and used it to scout the Sochi International Street Circuit. Also, him and David Coulthard (former F1 driver) did a few runs around the construction site in a pair of Infiniti M sedans. This turned into an impromptu mud and dirt drifting session which looked and sounded very fun.
In an interview, Vettel commented that the Sochi circuit layout looks very fun as it weaves around two brand new (still unfinished) Olympic stadiums. He noted that he could not drive the whole length of the 3.7 mile track, but the schematic shows several fast speed corners and good opportunities for overtaking. This was Vettel’s first visit to Russia and he said he was looking forward to returning spectate the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and then coming back in the Fall of 2014 for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of Russia.
Take a look at this video (provided by Infiniti) of Sebastian Vettel and David Coulthard playing in the dirt in a pair of Infiniti sedans. Would have been awesome if they were driving F1 cars through this construction site!
Andre Smirnov
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, software engineer, writer, and reporter. He has been writing and reporting at TFLcar since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or scouring the internet and other media for various automotive, mechanical, and computer related information.
Nathan Adlen for TFLCar posing on the Great Wall of China. “I – AM – MIGHTY!”
Yes, it’s a tourist shot in China… but what’s that I see?
That’s Nathan in a brand-spankin’ new TFLCar shirt!
That’s right baby, nothing is below me when it comes to brand marketing!
Actually, I’m here on business. The Fast Lane Car (TFLCar) is here to cover the Shanghai Auto Show. I did have an extra day to be a tourist, but the rest of the visit is to get a feel for what China has to offer the automotive world. Let me tell you, it’s more impressive than I thought possible.
Yep, that’s Dennis Gage. His mustache is usually curled, this is what it looks like without the wax. Yes – he uses wax. Pretty cool – no?
One photo is taken from the wall not too far from Beijing (actually, it’s still part of Beijing – I think). The other photo features Dennis Gage (from ‘My Classic Car’) and your’s truly. Dennis is here with me representing Hupo TV in China.
Hupo TV will carry the Jaiyou Car Channel which will feature TFLCar and his show among other shows like racing, collecting and DIY fixing programs too. It will be the only 24-hour channel in China dedicated to automobiles (and motorcycles). It’s exciting stuff folks. China has over a billion potential viewers and they are nuts about cars.
Oh yea, I am excited.
Anyway, I wanted to post these photos to show you what we’re up to.
The new 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0XT is bigger and more fuel efficient than the previous model…but is as off-road worthy?
We decided to find out in one of the worst Colorado snow storms of the year by taking it up our usual test trail.
For 2014 Subaru has added X-Mode button for more traction.
Of course the turbo-charged Forester 2.0XT that we tested also came with all-season 18 inch tires and a new CVT transmission.
In our real world testing we review the car as it is provided to us by the manufacturer. We also drive the car the way most buyers will and that means with the stock tires.
So how did the new 2014 Subaru Forester do in the snowy Colorado Rockies? Watch this video below to find out.
You can also watch a complete First Drive of the new Subaru Forester HERE.
