Jeep Hurricane: The Concept Car That Never Was but Should Have Been

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Jeep has many fans that adore the cars that the brand has made over the years. Unfortunately for Jeep fans, however, a few Jeep models will be next to impossible to get behind the wheel of.  Here’s a look at the Jeep Hurricane, a $2 million concept car that would’ve been a great addition to the Jeep lineup. 

Jeep fans have a lot of options, but not this one

The Jeep Hurricane concept car model | Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Like many automakers, Jeep has been around for a long time. Jeep has been popular for so long and for many reasons over the years, but it helps that Jeep has been able to maintain its fan base. After all, Jeep fans know what to expect when they shop for their next ride. While there are differences and variations between Jeeps, pretty much every Jeep will be great to go off-roading with.

On top of that, while Jeeps can have a nice interior, Jeeps aren’t exactly a luxury brand. As such, while there are some expensive Jeeps, most are quite affordable. Plus, it helps that most Jeeps are worth the money. Still, not all Jeeps are that way. Additionally, while Jeep has made great affordable cars for off-roading, Jeep wasn’t able to accomplish that goal with the Hurricane.

The Jeep Hurricane was unveiled as a concept car in 2005, and Jeep clearly didn’t plan on bringing it to production. There were many reasons for that, but Jeep fans still missed out on a great Jeep overall.

The Jeep Hurricane’s features

Jeeps are known for off-roading, so, as HowStuffWorks wrote, the Hurricane was the Jeep for folks who were “really into” off-roading. Off the bat, it featured not one but two 5.7-liter V8 engines. Combined, they produced 670 hp and 740 lb-ft of torque. This allowed the Hurricane to go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. These aren’t outrageous numbers today, but back in 2005, they were quite remarkable.

What is still remarkable about the Hurricane, however, was its steering. It had a four-wheel independent steering system, which allowed each wheel to turn in a different direction. It also allowed the Hurricane to do a crab-steer. This meant that it could move from side to side without changing its forward-facing direction. This type of tech is still pretty advanced, and few cars have it today. 

Furthermore, this steering system allowed it to rotate in place. It essentially could have a turning radius of zero, according to HowStuffWorks. The Jeep Hurricane also had a carbon fiber body, which was advanced at the time. These features and its other off-roading additions made the Hurricane one of the best off-roading vehicles that Jeep has ever made. 

Simply too expensive, however

While the Jeep Hurricane was a great concept car that showed the world what Jeep was capable of, it was pretty clear that Jeep had no intentions of making a production version. After all, the Hurricane, as it was, would’ve cost $2 million apiece. Obviously, that’s not going to be affordable for many folks. Jeep, in theory, can make the Hurricane less advanced to make it cheaper, but it’s not clear how cheap it ultimately could’ve been even with cost-cutting measures.

In any case, while it would’ve been great if the Hurricane ever made it into production, Jeep didn’t lose much from it. As HowStuffWorks reported, Jeep’s parent company, FCA, actually got a few patents while developing the car. So, while there’s probably no chance that the Hurricane ever goes into production, there’s a good chance that its patents will be used in future cars.

RELATED: Some of the 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer’s Features Probably Won’t Make It To Production

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What Is the Most Popular Toyota Sedan?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Toyota is one of the most respected and best-selling car companies globally, and there are many reasons for that. Sedans are one of the reasons why Toyota is so popular, as Toyota’s sedans are driven and beloved by many. However, while they’re all great in their own ways, one Toyota sedan is the most popular sedan of them all, and it’s the Toyota Camry.

The 2021 Toyota Camry XLE sedan | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

This shouldn’t be a surprise for many folks, especially anyone who only recently started driving. The Toyota Camry is such a good pick for so many reasons, and it’s earned its keep for a long time now. Like other Toyotas, the Camry is a reliable vehicle that doesn’t break down too often. This is a great thing since most folks don’t want to fix and maintain their car constantly.

Plus, the Toyota Camry has many standard safety features, which make it a very safe sedan to drive. This is another feature that makes the Camry great for newer drivers. To top it all off, the Camry is quite affordable, as it starts at $25,000 brand-new. It’s no surprise then that respected car review sites like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports have given great reviews to the Camry.

Due to the stellar reputation of the Camry, its sales figures are naturally great as well. In fact, the Camry is not only the best-selling sedan from Toyota, but it’s also the best-selling sedan in 2021 so far. As such, it’s unlikely that the Camry’s dominance will end anytime soon. 

Is the Toyota Camry a good used car?

However, for folks looking to get their first car or parents looking to buy their kid their first car, $25,000 is a lot to spend. That’s why many Camry owners typically shop for a used model, as that will be a good way to save money without losing what makes the Camry great.

Of course, used car prices will vary a lot depending on the model year. Plus, the older the model year, the fewer features the Camry will have. As such, the best used Camry will depend on your budget and what features are mandatory. For example, a used 2016 Camry can cost below $20,000, but it will be pretty bare-bones as far as smart features go.

The exceptions, however, are for the Camrys in the 2007 and 2009 model years. Those Camry models, along with other 2007 and 2009 Toyotas, had safety issues that led to crashes and subsequent recalls. Toyota has learned from those mistakes, but folks will want to avoid those older Camrys if possible.

Other great Toyota models

While the Camry may be the most popular Toyota sedan, the Corolla is still a great option. It’s smaller than the Camry, which makes it a bit more affordable. On top of that, the Corolla is as good as the Camry in many other ways. Both Toyotas are safe, reliable, and great for new drivers.

Additionally, there’s the Prius. The Prius is probably one of the most well-known Toyotas, but its sales have since slumped. However, the Prius remains one of the best options as far as hybrids go. The Camry and the Corolla are fuel-efficient cars already, but the Prius is simply more eco-friendly overall.

RELATED: 2021 Toyota Corolla Head-Scratcher: Why in the World Did It Make This List of the Fastest Cars Under $20K?

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Stellantis to Invest at Least $35.5 Billion in Electric Vehicle Production

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As pressure grows on the world to go green, vehicle electrification may soon dominate the automotive industry. Ditching your petrol or diesel-powered vehicle for an electric supercharger with hybrid power may sound like a myth, but Stellantis will soon make this a reality. With more manufacturers trying out new technologies to bring you affordable and faster-charging vehicles with EV batteries, Stellantis projects that approximately 40% of its sales will be from electric cars by the year 2030. 

A brief history of Stellantis

The Stellantis logo on a smartphone | Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Stellantis, formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA), is headquartered in Amsterdam and offers economy and luxury vehicles worldwide. Following the merger between Peugeot S.A and FCA toward the end of January 2021, the company acquired the name Stellantis and announced its plans to invest at least $35.5 billion to electrify their vehicles and give their customers a touch of class. According to CNBC, Stellantis plans to manufacture 55 EVs by the year 2025. This production will be done in Europe and the U.S.

The $35.5 billion will be invested in technology to ensure that customers get the best value for their money. One example of an upcoming Stellantis EV is the Dodge eMuscle arriving in 2024, which will give electric vehicle enthusiasts the luxury of driving a fully electrified vehicle while enjoying all the benefits of a powerful muscle car.

Stellantis investment plans in Europe and the U.S.

Stellantis’ plans to manufacture elegant electric cars and bring its customers state-of-the-art vehicles that will meet the hype. It is expected that all 14 brands by Stellantis will be fully electrified by 2030. According to Autonews, the high-octane Dodge brand will be fully electric and ready by 2024. However, during the automaker’s EV Day presentation, Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis assured EV fans that this technology would cut across all Stellantis brands, including Jeep, Chrysler, Peugeot, and Fiat.

Additionally, there are plans to launch the Ram 1500 battery-electric pickup by 2024, with fully electrified Ram vehicles expected in the market by 2025. This electrification plan will occur in Europe and North America, with 70% of total sales expected to be made in Europe. The sale of Stellantis’ low emission vehicles in the U.S. is expected to be about 40%, which will comprise both battery-powered and hybrid vehicles by 2030.       

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, driving an electric car not only saves you fuel costs but also helps conserve the environment. Therefore, EV drivers get to enjoy the benefits of living and driving in an environment free of pollution. Meanwhile, hybrid-electric vehicles use less fuel compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles.

What to Expect from Stellantis by 2025

While the company plans to go the electric route eventually, customers may have to wait a little longer. However, there are speculations that by 2030, approximately 40% of the automaker’s vehicles will be fully electric. It is also expected that all Stellantis brands worldwide will be fully electrified by the same year. You should expect electrified versions of Jeeps, Rams, Dodges, and Chryslers soon.

Among the top agendas of Stellantis management is to use five battery plants in Europe and North America as they work toward the manufacturing of fully electric vehicles by 2035. Stellantis CEO Carlos Taveres is optimistic that all their vehicles will eventually be fully electrified and none will malfunction.

However, the current shortage of semiconductors may cause delays, but the company is hopeful that its plans to electrify all its brands will go on as scheduled. In the meantime, customers can enjoy some of the already manufactured hybrid vehicles and taste the benefits associated with EVs.

RELATED: Stellantis CEO: EVs Need to Be More Affordable for Middle-Class Drivers

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Indiana to Build Magnetic Concrete Pavement That Wirelessly Charges EVs

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The effects of global warming continue pushing states to adopt measures to curb environmental pollution. One of the strategies that authorities are targeting is the production and adoption of EVs, and the expectation is that this will tackle the fossil fuel problem. That means that investment in the necessary infrastructure is critical.

Increased adoption of EVs will be a priority in the future, but that will prove a challenge if the right infrastructure is not in place. Various states, including Indiana, are trying to explore and invest in infrastructure to facilitate the increased adoption of EVs.

Demand for more EV infrastructure

Indiana | Getty Images

Electric vehicle industry officials say that the U.S. needs $87 billion in charging infrastructure investment within the next 10 years. According to Government Technology, that will get the nation on the path to 100 percent EV sales by 2035. The implication, in this case, is that over and above being fast and convenient, EV charging should be widely/readily available.

For early EV adopters who can charge EVs at home, much of the charging happens where they live. However, strategic deployment of charging infrastructure while factoring in lower-income drivers and apartments dwellers is paramount. That way, EVs will gain widespread appeal. So, a more thorough buildout of high-speed public charging and more workplace charging will come in handy in this case.

In its part, Indiana is banking on new technology to help with charging infrastructure, and that is by considering magnetic concrete pavement for wireless EV charging.

Lack of infrastructure necessary for expanding EV ownership

As more battery-powered, plug-in car models enter the market, drivers are now discovering that America’s charging infrastructure is not yet ready for the EV revolution. The reason is that travelers who go long distances need to power up their EV batteries. That should happen at a “fast” charger, which is a lot faster than typical home chargers.

Additionally, at the moment, less experienced EV owners are struggling with multiple issues. These include uncertainty over the period their cars need to charge, few charging stations, high electricity rates, excess demand at available charging stations, confusing payment systems, and broken chargers. The Drive reported that the good news is that Indiana plans to build a new wireless charging system as a research project.

The pilot project involves fitting wireless charging technology on a quarter-mile stretch of road embedded onto the pavement. That will allow EVs to charge when parked or while driving. The project has three phases, and the first two will be complete before this technology hits the streets. The intention here is to run two phases of testing and analysis.

Once sufficient data has been established to work out the best way to implement the project on a test basis is available, phase three will kick in. The quarter-mile site is yet to be identified. The idea is to test heavy trucks at 200-kilowatts and above charging. If that process succeeds, a larger section of the public road somewhere in Indiana will get the first real rollout.

Infrastructure and charging projects states and firms are tackling in the U.S.

Various states and companies in the U.S. are investing in EV infrastructure and charging projects. These include Qualcomm, a telecommunications firm that may have figured out how to address range anxiety in fully electric vehicles. According to The Drive, the company’s new technology known as Halo Dynamic Electric Vehicle Charging (DEVC) allows EVs to charge through pads embedded into the road surface.

Indiana government site reported that the Indiana Department of Transport (INDOT), Magment, the German firm, and Purdue University would be working on Indiana’s wireless charging pavements technology. Additionally, Electrify America continues leading a widespread buildout of high-speed charging centers across the U.S. 

According to Politico, New York plans to have 10,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations by the close of this year, while California is focusing on expanding public EV charging in different rural counties.

RELATED: How to Overcome Range Anxiety as an EV Owner

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