Auto Tech

Jeep Created a Wrangler with Three Rows of Seats

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / November 1, 2021

This Jeep Wrangler Overlook concept for SEMA has an added third row of seats.
It’s a foot longer than a standard Wrangler four-door, and the roof is five inches higher.
The Overlook also has other Jeep accessories including upgraded shocks and fancier leather upholstery.

Jeep is taking a page from the Land Rover Defender’s book by creating a special stretched version of the Wrangler with an additional row of seats and a stepped roofline. This concept is called the Wrangler Overlook and is headed for the SEMA aftermarket show in Las Vegas next week.

The Overlook is based on a four-door Wrangler Sahara and features a body that’s lengthened by a foot and a raised roof at the rear that’s five inches taller than normal. This provides enough room for a third row of seats. The roof extension also includes extra windows to see the world outside from the second and third rows, while the roof remains removable and a flip-up sunroof sits over the front seats.

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The interior features black Katzkin leather with bronze accents, while embroidered Jeep logos, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and suede trim class up the vibe. The Overlook’s exterior is finished in Sahara Bronze and it has a two-inch lift kit with fox shocks. Special 20-inch wheels are wrapped in 37-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires and there are extra off-road lights mounted up front.

While we don’t expect to see Jeep put this one-off vehicle into production anytime soon, we do think there’d be a market for a three-row Wrangler if the company decided to build one. So only time will tell if this is simply a fun idea or something that may come to fruition in the near future.

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Mopar Reveals Its Dodge Challenger, Jeep Wrangler, Ram TRX Concepts

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 29, 2021

Automakers have started taking the wraps off the custom creations they have whipped up for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) aftermarket show that opens on Tuesday, November 2. After providing some shadowy sketches a couple of weeks ago, Mopar—the parts, service, and customer care division for the U.S. brands now under the Stellantis umbrella—has revealed several concepts. We’ve already shown you the three-row Jeep Wrangler Overlook concept, and here’s what else Mopar has in store: a Dodge, two Ram, and three more Jeep concepts for the Las Vegas trade show.

Mopar Reveals Its Dodge Challenger, Jeep Wrangler, Ram TRX Concepts Read More »

Ford Expedition Timberline Concept Is a Showcase of Overlanding Possibilities

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 2, 2021

A few weeks ago, Ford refreshed the full-sized Expedition SUV, introducing sharper styling and a new off-road Timberline model. Now Ford has trendily modified the Expedition for overlanding, a pastime which combines off-roading and camping. The Expedition Timberline Off-Grid concept will debut this weekend at the Overland Expo East in Arrington, Virginia and shows off the new Timberline model could be transformed into a true expedition vehicle.

Ford painted the Off-Grid concept in Forged Green and added a custom topographic wrap from CG Detroit. Although the Timberline already has 10.6 inches of ground clearance, the Off-Grid concept is boosted another two inches and gains Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5-inch shocks with Dual Speed Compression adjusters and remote reservoirs front and rear. The Timberline’s stock 18-inch wheels and 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler AT tires are swapped out for 17-inch Method Race Wheels with 35-inch General Grabber all-terrain tires. DeeZee Rock Rail Hoop Steps make it easier to climb up into the high-riding SUV.MORE OFF-ROAD EDITIONS 2021 Ford Explorer Timberline Has Off-Road Vibes 2022 Honda Passport Adds New TrailSport Trim 2022 Ford Expedition Adds Off-Road Timberline Trim

The Off-Grid comes decked out with accessories available to customers at Ford dealers, such as the Thule Tepui Explorer tent strapped to the roof, the Overland Vehicle Systems Nomadic 180-degree awning, and a Wild Land portable privacy room shower. The Off-Grid also includes a transmission shield—which Ford says is available from the factory—and plenty of auxiliary lighting for nighttime trail driving, with a 50-inch Rigid light bar above the windshield, a 20-inch Rigid light bar beneath the grille, and D-SS Rigid cube lights on the hood. There are also lights placed within the wheel wells and liftgate, and a switch to turn the lights red for optimal stargazing.VIEW PHOTOSFORD

Inside, Ford has added a Luno camping mattress that can fit two, a EZ STAK aluminum storage unit, window shades, and a portable USB fan. Ford has also fitted a Clarios AGM battery to provide the electricity needed for the Off-Grid’s electronic gadgets. The Off-Grid concept is also towing a Turtleback Expedition Series Trailer, which is also shod in Method wheels and Grabber all-terrain tires. The trailer carries camping essentials like a two-burner propane stove and deep-well sink, 42-gallon water tank and six-gallon water heater with external shower hookup, and drop-down tables.

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Ford Is Bringing These Six Custom Broncos

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 2, 2021

ford broncos at sema

Ford is coming to Las Vegas prepared with a total of six Broncos customized by some of the most well-known brands in the aftermarket industry.

Of the six vehicles, four are based on full-size Broncos and the remaining two are based on Bronco Sports. There’s there’s an interesting mix of utility, practicality, clever design, and over-the-top modifications we’ve come to expect from SEMA builds. Ford says all of these vehicles feature parts from Ford’s own Performance division, licensed partners, and other aftermarket sources. Here’s how they all stack up against each other.

BRONCO RTR FUN-RUNNER

FORD

The first Bronco on the list is a fun off-road themed two-door variant powered by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine and based on the Badlands trim level. Customized by Vaughn Gittin Jr. and RTR Vehicles, it comes with a collection of Ford Performance and officially licensed parts, including a performance intake system, a sport exhaust, and new off-road-ready Dana axles. Behind the RTR forged bead-lock wheels and 37-inch tires you’ll find Fox Performance Elite 2.5 coilovers paired to a long-travel suspension kit.

BRONCO BY BDS SUSPENSIONS

FORD

The second Bronco to make its SEMA debut is another full-size two-door, this time based on the Black Diamond trim. Designed by BDS Suspensions, it turns the Bronco into a make-shift fire truck with an open-air rear section and bright red paint. There are CrawlTek Revolution bumpers that have recovery hooks and winches built in, as well as a skid plate up front for bashing even the toughest trails. There are Fox 2.5 PES coilovers, rear adjustable control arms, and disconnecting sway bars underneath to assist the 37-inch BFGoodrich KM3 tires in providing ultimate traction in any environment.

BRONCO BY TUCCI HOT RODS

FORD

Next up is the first four-door Bronco of the group, based on a Badlands trim truck and customized by Tucci Hot Rods. Perhaps the most ridiculous of the group, it comes with Mattracks 88-Series quad tracks on all four corners for true go-anywhere capabilities. There’s a snowboard rack on the roof along with a light bar. Even cooler, it’s the only Bronco of the group to feature the optional seven-speed manual transmission.

BRONCO BAJA FORGED BY LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS

FORD

The last full-size Bronco from Ford’s selection is this Outer Banks model reimagined by LGE-CTS Motorsports. Another four-door model, it uses an Outer Banks model as a base and comes with a 3-inch suspension lift, Baja Forged bumpers front and rear, an upgraded sound system, and a handful of neat aftermarket storage solutions.

BRONCO SPORT BAJA FORGED BY LGE-CTS MOTORSPORTS

FORD

The first Bronco Sport on the list is also the second car to be customized by LGE-CTS Motorsports, featuring a handful of similar upgrades. There’s a 2-inch suspensions lift, rock sliders, off-roading lights, fender flares, and upgraded front and rear sway bars. There’s also a Warn winch, tubular bumpers, and a Borla exhaust for the 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine under the hood.

BRONCO SPORT BY CGS PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS

FORD

Last but not least is this Badlands-series Bronco Sport customized by CGS Performance Parts. Perhaps the most subtle of the bunch, the bright red SUV still has a solid collection of upgrades making it worthy of the Bronco nameplate. There are forged wheels wrapped in Toyo all-terrain tires, bumper and hitch enhancements, rock lights, and underbody lights. The engine also gets a cold air intake and a cat-back exhaust.

Ford Is Bringing These Six Custom Broncos Read More »

Ford Aftermarket Possibilities for Bronco, Mach-E, Maverick, Ranger

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / November 5, 2020

Skyjacker Ford Ranger

FORD

Ford, of course, is hyping its Ford Performance Parts and Ford Licensed Accessories, and that’s why you’ll see those products all over the vehicles on display, including on the Skyjacker Ranger pictured here. This truck tries to take the Ranger’s off-roading skills to the next level with a Skyjacker Suspension six-inch lift, a Warn winch, and rock slider side steps and lighting enhancements with Rigid Industries lighting on the A-pillar and a rooftop off-road light bar. The powertrain has also been recalibrated, and the cat-back exhaust system has black chrome tips.

2D.R.A.G.G. Maverick

FORD

The lifeguard-ready D.R.A.G.G. Maverick is a personal favorite, not for any particular feature, but because it came about through a collaboration between Oxnard Union High School and the police department of Oxnard, California. The two disparate groups came up with a beach rescue concept truck that houses toolbox swing cases in a Ford Licensed Accessories topper. It also has a watersports carrier, fender flares, front seat covers made from Neosupreme, a sunshade, and off-road cube lights.3Tucci Maverick

FORD

The Tucci version of the Ford Maverick takes the small pickup in a different direction, while keeping the drag racing spirit. Looking the part of a hot-rodded pickup from an earlier era, the XLT series Maverick was transformed by Tucci Hot Rods to be wider with 3D-printed fender flares and a 3D-printed front lip and retro-looking custom wheels. Four Recaro Sportster seats and racing harnesses make sure no one inside the truck forgets the kind of vehicle they’re sitting in.4Shelby Mustang Mach-E GT Concept

FORD

On the electrified side of things, one of the modified Mustang Mach-E GTs on display will look familiar to anyone who knows Ford’s racing history. The name, of course, gives some of the details away, but this blue-and-white-striped performance vehicle replaces some of the original body pieces with graphene-infused carbon-fiber components made by Shelby American. The changes include the front fascia, front fenders and rear flares, and a different hood that has a large vent in order to lower front-end lift. Springs, tires and seats have all also been upgraded. This year will be the first time Ford has brought both a gas-powered Mustang and a Mustang Mach-E to SEMA.5M2 Motoring Mustang GT

FORD

One of the gas-powered Mustangs on display will be the M2 Motoring Mustang GT. Starting with a manual-transmission 2021 Mustang GT with the Performance package, M2 Motoring lowered the springs, added a GT350R big brake kit, and then gave the V-8 engine a 750-hp supercharger kit, enhanced half-shafts and Performance Pack Level 2 front splitter from the Ford Performance Parts upgrade menu. The car was also visually modified with custom Motorcraft livery on the outside and a laser-etched armrest, Recaro RPSP leather seats and GT500 instrument panel trim on the inside.6MAD F-450 Super Duty Platinum

FORD

Large trucks are not being ignored at SEMA, thanks to the presence of the MAD Industries F-450 Super Duty Platinum fifth-wheel. Kids of all ages will love the forged wheels, upgraded sway bars, custom four-inch axle-back exhaust with black chrome tips and various MAD Industries color-matched exterior accents. For added off-road benefits, the MAD truck also offers a portable air compressor, an electric retractable bed cover, rear and side flip-down bed steps and, in case you can’t tell it’s a big truck, black chrome “Super Duty” hood lettering. There are also spotlights galore and a refrigerator/freezer installed.

Ford Aftermarket Possibilities for Bronco, Mach-E, Maverick, Ranger Read More »

Honda Civic Si Race Cars

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / November 2, 2020

One is a turnkey factory car designed to race in SRO, and the other is a one-off built by volunteer Honda engineers.

The HPD Honda Civic Si will represent the company’s next generation of grassroots racing, succeeding the wildly fun-to-drive Civic Si TCA. Built from a body-in-white to adhere to the SRO TC Americas rulebook, it’s stuffed with all of the safety and performance gear necessary to perform on track. As far as drivetrain modifications go, there’s a tune for the 1.5-liter turbo inline-four, a strengthened fourth gear, a specialized exhaust, and a race-spec limited-slip differential. Other upgrades include Bilstein dampers, Eibach coil springs, adjustable control arms, and Wilwood rotors with six-piston calipers up front.

The one-off Si meant to run in this year’s 25 Hours of Thunderhill is a bit more customized, with similar safety gear but a lot more drivetrain mods. Assembled and raced by engineers across the company’s divisions, the car features a new tune for the engine, an oil cooler, a bigger radiator, a titanium exhaust, a custom gearset for the transmission, and specific engine mounts. There are Paragon brakes all around with endurance racing pads from Pagid, cooled with custom brake ducts. The dampers are KW competition units, paired to H&R race-spec coil springs. There are also custom forged wheels, a custom vented carbon hood, and custom LED exterior lights.

Honda Civic Si Race Cars Read More »

Mopar Jeep, Ram Concepts

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 21, 2020

Mopar Performance has released several teaser images for the concepts that it will bring to the event. Mopar—the parts, service, and customer care division for the U.S. brands now under the Stellantis umbrella—provided five shadowy sketches, although its not clear whether the company will create five concepts or if some of the images depict the same vehicle.

Hybrid Wrangler Rubicon

STELLANTIS

The first image shows a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and it seems to be the 4xe hybrid variant due to the “e”-branded charging port just behind the “Rubicon” graphic. An auxiliary light can be seen mounted on the hood, and a Jeep Performance Parts badge suggests this 4xe will be decked out with off-road goodies.Ram TRX

STELLANTIS

The next sketch shows a Ram pickup, and judging by the grille design and vent on the far edge of the headlight, this is the 702-hp Hellcat-powered TRX. It is not immediately clear what will be different about this TRX other than the blue-painted tow hooks and Ram badging.Military-Style Restomod

STELLANTIS

Mopar will also be bringing a retro Jeep to SEMA, with this teaser showing a 1960s Jeep Gladiator (although very early Wagoneers shared the narrow grille). This old-school Jeep is painted in a military-style green and is fitted with a grille guard, three spotlights, and a flat bumper with “B33RM3” just barely visible on one side. It could be a restomodded M715 military truck, as that vehicle’s front end looks similar to the Gladiator’s.Wrangler Overlander

STELLANTIS

Mopar will bring another Jeep Wrangler to SEMA, with this sketch showing an interior shot of a four-door model. This image is very dark, but we can spot a special raised roof with a series of thin windows, suggesting some sort of camping or overlanding-related concept.Ram on a Camping Trip

STELLANTIS

The last teaser shows another Ram pickup, this time parked next to a tent and featuring some sort of storage rack in the bed. It isn’t clear which model of Ram pickup this is, although it is missing the typical TRX text normally emblazoned on the rear fender, suggesting it is a less powerful version of the 1500.

Mopar Jeep, Ram Concepts Read More »

2020 Volkswagen Passat – Too Good to Be True?

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 20, 2020

The all new 2020 Volkswagen Passat not only is sporting a new look, more technology, and improved safety equipment but rather it is packing all of this into a price that actually is cheaper than the 2019 model it replaces? What? Did we say that right? Yes, we did.

The 2020 VW Passat starts at $22,995 in the states (not including the destination and handling fees) which makes it $2,300 more affordable than the model it replaces, the 2019 VW Passat which is still available at the time of this post on VW’s site starting at $25,295.

Like many generations on the Audi/VW platform oftentimes do, the new 2020 Passat does inherit some parts of the prior generation. The engine remains the same as the 2.0L engine from the previous 2019 model which puts out 174 horsepower. Torque however is improved to 206lbs due to the improved torque converter and software upgrade. Only China will see the new MQB platform.

As far as styling goes, the new 2020 Passat gets a sleek new front fascia featuring LED headlights, a rear that is revised with matching LED tails, and the option to run 17, 18, or 19-inch wheel options depending on the submodel.

Despite not getting the MQB platform here in the United States, the all-new 2020 Passat may not be the best option for a performance enthusiast but for a daily driver or family sedan, this can be an attractive option to add to your fleet.

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Unitronic ECU / TCU Software – MQB Tiguan

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 15, 2020

Unitronic has just released their long-anticipated ECU and TCU software for the MQB Volkswagen Tiguan equipped with the 2.0 TSI Gen3B engine.

Outputs of up to +62hp/+88LB-FT with the stage 1+ ECU tune on 93 octane putting the maximum total to 249hp / 304LB-FT for this compact SUV.

Compatible with their UniConnect+ cable these tunes can be flashed from the comfort of home within minutes.

Unitronic ECU / TCU Software – MQB Tiguan Read More »

Volkswagen ID 4 – All-Electric SUV

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / October 8, 2020

It’s been almost 5 years since the diesel gate issue and Volkswagen is putting some serious bets on the all-electric market. Yesterday debuted the all-new Volkswagen ID4 which is an all-electric SUV with a 250-mile range and sub $40,000 price tag.

Built on the all-new modular electric vehicle platform they are dubbing MEB and claiming they will move 1 million battery electric vehicles by 2025 as they are investing heavily into the all-electric market.

Priced to be a high volume mass-market offering which although sitting at sub $40,000 when you factor in the federal tax incentives it brings the cost of ownership down into a pretty competitive range.

With the market already filled with EV options such as the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Bolt, and VW’s e-Golf how will they compete? First off none of the offerings in this price range are SUVs but small size sedans. With EV’s making up around 3% of total car sales in the US, automakers are placing bets on that percent rising as the cost of ownership drops.

So what stands out with the new ID4?

The motor in the VW ID4 has 201 horsepower and gets around 228-pound feet torque where the all-wheel-drive variant will produce around 302 hp and be released in late 2021. Both AC and DC charging will be available with stats showing an ID4 can go from 5 to 80% charged in about 38 minutes using a DC charging station. Every ID4 will come with 3 years of free charging courtesy of Electrify America EV.

When it comes to interior design we feel VW has nailed it with a very tech-focused, futuristic-looking design that is clean. Despite being a smaller footprint compared to the Tiguan the interior is the same size. Most notably the lighting stands out in the interior with their all-new ID Light feature. A light strip runs below the windshield and another across the center of the dashboard giving it a very futuristic appeal. But don’t be mistaken the all-new lighting features are not just a “bells and whistles” type of improvement. VW has stated it is an “intuitive lighting” system with different colors and sound to signal to the driver various activities such as when the car has been unlocked or locked.

The ID4 is just the beginning of Volkswagen’s push into the all-electric market as they already are making headway in their other brands with Porsche recently debuting their all new Taycan and back in 2018 the Audi E Tron SUV.

So what do you think of this all-new compact SUV? Love it or hate it?

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New Product: Unitronic Stage 2+ ECU for 1.8TSI MQB

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / January 2, 2020

Unitronic has just released their Stage 2+ IS38 ECU performance software for the 1.8TSI MQB engine which can be found in the 2015-2019 Volkswagen Golf, Golf Sportwagen, Golf Alltrack as well as select 2015-2016 Audi A3 models.

We took a look at the gains and they are impressive over stock power figures.

Equipped with the IS38 Turbo upgrade, the 1.8TSI MQB produces 352HP / 324 LB-FT Torque when combined with Unitronic’s Stage 2+ ECU software. These massive gains over stock ( +182HP / +139LB-FT Torque ) surely will knock you back into your seat when you get on the throttle.

On top of the power addition, the tune also offers popular features like left foot braking, exhaust pops, and bangs, and an EU-style Startup-Up Overrun.

For more information please check out:

Unitronic UniConnect+ Tuning Cable

Unitronic Stage 2+ IS38 ECU Tune for 1.8TSI MQB Engines

IS38 Turbocharger Upgrade

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SIMore Speed ZX-Four Samsung Galaxy Multi-SIM Adapter lets you use up to five SIM cards in one smartphone

Auto Tech / Rejus Almole / November 4, 2019

The SIMore Speed ZX-Four Samsung Galaxy Multi-SIM Adapter makes it easy to manage your work and personal lives. This Android dual-SIM adapter provides four SIM slots, for up to five cards in a single phone. And this dual SIM card phone slot works with any Android operating system. In fact, this Samsung Galaxy multi-SIM adapter lets you switch between SIM cards quickly and easily. You won’t worry about where to store extra SIM cards, which is a relief because they’re so easy to lose. If you have multiple phone numbers, this is a useful tool that will help you keep them all straight. Additionally, this adapter can help you avoid international roaming and stop carrying around two phones—one for work and one for your personal life. Finally, this adapter even works on dual-SIM Android smartphones, giving you up to five numbers.

SIMore Speed ZX-Four Samsung Galaxy Multi-SIM Adapter lets you use up to five SIM cards in one smartphone Read More »