The coolest jeep. Jeep models: characteristics, tuning

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Off-road vehicles currently represent one of the most popular classes. For example, in the Russian market they occupy about 40%. In local conditions, SUVs are especially in demand. At the end of the 20th century, when there were relatively few such models, they were considered prestigious as a type. With the growth in the number of automobile classes and their mixing, the variety of both cars in general and SUVs in particular has increased significantly. And now it's not easy to determine the coolest jeep.

Features

Currently, the concept of "jeep" or "SUV" is very vague. This is due to the mixing of car classes, which began towards the end of the last century. Prior to this, cars were clearly divided into passenger cars and off-road vehicles. However, in the late 90s. manufacturers began to mix them in order to get the most versatile machine possible. The jeep began to take on the features of passenger models. Mercedes Benz pioneered this path with the ML in 1997. The following year, Lexus followed with the RX, and in 1999 BMW with the X5. Unlike traditional SUVs, these modelswere focused on operation on hard roads, and in terms of cross-country ability they were only slightly superior to ordinary passenger cars. This is due to the fact that these cars were built on passenger platforms, so they had a load-bearing body, simplified all-wheel drive systems, and poor geometry. Such cars began to be called parquet SUVs, or crossovers. Over time, models appeared with monodrive options.

Criteria

Since modern cars have become very versatile and multifunctional, but at the same time diverse, it is not easy to single out the coolest jeep among them. It is much easier to determine it by one parameter among machines of the same class. And even in this way it is difficult to identify a specific model, because due to serious competition, cars can be very close in terms of parameters.

Besides, coolness is subjective anyway. Therefore, due to the fact that this article is compiled on the basis of both technical characteristics and the perceptions of the public about the prestige of various models, the information provided in it may not coincide with personal opinions.

SUVs

Traditional large frame jeep can be focused on two qualities. This is cross-country ability and comfort.

Passable

Initially, cross-country ability was the main characteristic for SUVs. Based on it, they appeared. Such traditional models have a frame structure, plug-in all-wheel drive, often a short three-door body to improve geometry, high-torque diesel orgasoline engine, lowering the row in the transmission, inter-axle and inter-wheel blocking. At the same time, they are distinguished by very simple interiors, where almost no attention is paid to comfort. To date, there are almost no such machines left. These include only Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Jimny and UAZ Hunter. Although these models have always been few. Of the previously produced cars, the Land Rover Defender can be noted, the production of which was stopped at the beginning of this year. The coolest jeep currently being produced is the first. The remaining two models are budget, and the Wrangler is not only functional, but also a prestigious car.

Comfortable

Usually a car of this type is a large jeep, larger than the cars discussed above. These models differ from them in comfortable interiors, finished at the level of premium cars using high-quality materials. In addition, they have many electronic systems focused on both comfort and patency. According to the last parameter, these jeeps are usually slightly inferior to the models discussed above, but still at a high level. These cars include Lexus LX, Range Rover, Mercedes Benz G, Cadillac Escalade. Older models include Hummer H1 and H2, Lamborghini LM002 and Infiniti QX (current generation monocoque).

Universal

Such options do not belong to elite cars, but have a fairly comfortable interior and cross-country ability at the level of cars of the previous type. Atthey are very prestigious. Toyota Land Cruiser is considered the coolest among these models in the CIS. Also of note are the numerous American full-size SUVs like the Chevrolet Tahoe. In the old days, Mitsubishi Pajero (although it is smaller) and Nissan Patrol were highly valued among this class, which have now switched to load-bearing bodies.

Crossovers

As noted, many of these vehicles can be considered off-road passenger cars. They have load-bearing bodies, simplified all-wheel drive systems. Now there are much more such models than traditional SUVs. Although mainly among large cars there are classic jeeps that have switched to load-bearing bodies, which are still classified as SUVs in terms of functional qualities (for example, Nissan Patrol). Among the crossovers, there are many both cool and economical models.

Large and Medium

Of the large models, Infiniti QX, Mercedes Benz GLS are considered the coolest.

Medium-sized premium crossovers are also very prestigious, with which this class of cars began. Namely: Infinity FX, Lexus RX, Audi Q7, Mercedes Benz GLE, BMW X5/X6, Porsche Cayenne, Jaguar F-pace, Range Rover Sport. Previously, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery were highly valued, which appeared long before all these models, but then were pushed into the background by them.

Sports

The advantage of crossovers over SUVs is almostlight handling. Therefore, among them there are many sports options, most of which are represented by forced modifications of the above models. These are Infinity FX50, Mercedes Benz GLE AMG, BMW X5/X6 M, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, powerful versions of Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace. Although there are more exclusive cars originally sporting orientation: Maserati Levante and Bentley Bentayga.

Among these models, despite their diversity, it is still possible to single out the coolest jeep, at least in terms of speed characteristics. This is a Bentley crossover as it is currently the fastest car in its class, ahead of the previous Porsche Cayenne.

Tuning

However, when choosing a car, even from the above models, there is still a chance to meet on the road almost the same. Therefore, it is widely believed that the only way to create a truly cool car is through tuning.

Tuning jeeps, like other cars, can be divided into external and functional.

Modifications of the latter type also have several directions for SUVs: cross-country ability, dynamics, comfort.

Permeability

With this tuning, improvements are used that increase the car's ability to overcome off-road. For classic SUVs, this characteristic is especially important. The Jeep was originally designed for just that.

Typically, off-road upgrades start with changing the chassis. This type of tuning involves modification primarilywheels and suspension.

The easiest option is to install off-road tires that increase grip on the ground.

The next step is the lift (increase in ground clearance). The easiest way to do this is to install spacers and larger diameter wheels. Thus, only frame models of jeeps can be lifted. A more sophisticated yet effective solution is the suspension lift kit, which includes reinforced springs and longer dampers. This increases not only ground clearance, but also suspension travel. A particularly difficult method is the installation of portal bridges. However, this requires changing the transmission and is not applicable to all vehicles.

The transmission should also be improved. The main improvements for SUVs are differential locks and center locks.

The first allow you to optimally distribute the torque on the wheels during slipping. There are several options for such devices: limited slip differentials, automatic and manual locks, self-locking differentials, overrunning clutches. For competent tuning, you need to know their features, since some devices are ineffective off-road, while others make road operation difficult.

Inter-axle locks are used for optimal distribution of torque between the axles.

Finally, you can improve the body. This involves the installation of power elements, represented by protective sheets, power bumpers and thresholds. Sheets serve to protect the engine, transmission, steering rods and other units from blows from below. Bumpers and sills coverbody.

Engine performance upgrades are less common in off-road tuning than in sports tuning. Usually, jeep models that have initially insufficient characteristics are modified in this way. Moreover, off-road tuning of engines is different from sports. Performance increases are achieved by similar methods, but using different settings: while for sports it is important to increase power, then for off-road traction is more important.

There is a wide range of off-road accessories available.

Often prepared jeeps are equipped with winches for self-pulling. It is advisable to install one at the front and one at the back.

Also a very useful device for overcoming off-road - a compressor for pumping wheels. It allows you to quickly and conveniently change the pressure in them for various conditions.

To overcome the fords, you must install a snorkel on the car. This part is the engine air intake brought to the top, the one that a standard car has under the hood. It is also desirable to equip the jeep with waterproofing of the wiring and bring the transmission breathers up.

Other tuning

Modifications of other areas (dynamics, comfort) of SUVs are carried out by the same methods that are used for cars.

In any case, by tuning, you can create the coolest jeep even from an initially simple model.