The 1941 Willys Jeep was a military workhorse that has been called nostalgically, “the truck that won WWII.” Based on that concept, the Jeep Wrangler was born in 1986 as an evolution of the Jeep CJ-7. Wrangler was improved in 1996, updated again in 2006 and completely redesigned last year. 

Created to take its drivers and passengers on everyday adventures, the 2019 model adds to last year’s revamp with a new advanced safety group package that includes adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. The 2019 Wrangler also adds a new exterior color – Bikini, which is similar to Turquoise. Five trims are available this year, and for those looking for adventure, Wrangler is available in multiple off-road configurations with different axle ratios, differentials, and transfer cases among the trim levels. Looking ahead, it is believed that a plug-in hybrid powertrain and a diesel engine might be available in 2020, and a Wrangler pick-up is on the horizon.

Built in Toledo Supplier Park, Toledo, Ohio, the multipurpose vehicle is laid out with a longitudinal front engine, four-wheel drive set-up on a ladder-type frame with an open steel and aluminum body. That body is Jeep-look all the way, from its seven-slot keystone-shaped grille in the manner of legendary Jeep® CJ models, to its trapezoid wheel flares, removable doors, exposed hinges with the Torx tool-bit size stamped into it, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable tops that allow the Wrangler to retain the brand’s iconic appearance and function.

Wrangler’s 118.4-inch wheelbase (for the 4-door -- 96.8 inches for the 2-door model) accommodates 188.4 inches in length (for the 4-door -- 166.8 inches for the 2-door), 73.8 inches in width and 73.6 inches in height. My Rubicon trim had a ground clearance of 10.8 inches and a curb weight of 4455 lbs. (for the 4-door -- 4145 lbs for the 2-door).

Jeep Wrangler’s interior is intuitive and driver-friendly with nostalgic styling that offers more comfort than one would expect in a rugged off-road-worthy vehicle. Precision craftsmanship and high-quality materials are found throughout the cabin, and the heritage-inspired center stack features a clean, sculpted form that complements the horizontal dashboard design and sports a finish dictated by the model choice. The cabin is packed with infotainment and ergonomic controls as well as more than 75 available safety features.

Roomy inside for front row driver and passenger, and somewhat tighter for second row travelers, headroom was 42.6 inches up front with the soft top and 41.7 inches in the rear; legroom was 41.2 inches in row one and 38.3 in row two; and shoulder room was 55.7 inches in both rows.

In terms of power, Wrangler offers two engine choices: the 3.6-liter V-6 manual which is standard on all models, is rated at 285hp and 260 lbs.-ft of torque and 17mpg/city and 23mpg/highway; and the 2.0-liter I-4 turbo is an option for all models, with 8-speed automatic rated at 270hp and 295 lbs-ft. of torque and is EPA rated at 22/24 mpg. I tested the Wrangler Rubicon with the 3.6 automatic setup mated to an eight-speed overdrive transmission, and I averaged 23.3mpg on some long-distance, around-town and soft-road driving.

On road or off-road, Rubicon performs. The solid axle front suspension with link coil, leading arms, track bar, coil springs, stabilizer bar and electronic sway-bar disconnect system with high-pressure gas-charged monotube shock absorbers with MTV technology and hydraulic rebound stop, works well with a solid axle rear, link coil, trailing arms, track bar, coil springs and stabilizer bar with high-pressure gas-charged shocks, for a comfortable ride on the highway while attacking potholes, road ruts and off-road obstacles. Low-end torque prevails over hill climbs, mud, snow and trails, and acceleration is solid for highway passing and off-the line fun. The electro-hydraulic power steering is tight and attentive, and while not an auto-cross star, it is fine for in-town maneuvers and fun for tree and brush skirting.

Wrangler power is predictable and sufficient to pass at speed, conquer uphill grades and get off the line quickly. My track tests were fun exhibitions, culminating in an 8.7-second zero-to-60mph dash and a 16.7-second quarter-mile.

There are five available 2019 Jeep Wrangler models, starting with the $31,545 Unlimited Sport 4x4 and moving through the MOAB at $51,300. The Rubicon trim I tested in Firecracker Red, is fourth up on the scale and starts at $41,545. My ride came with the standard 3.6-liter V6 engine … if you upgrade to the 2.0-liter I-4 Turbo, it will cost you an extra $1000. However, we did step up from the 6-speed manual transmission to the 8-speed automatic, for $2000. The Jeep Active Safety group added $995 for Blind-Spot and Cross-Path Detection, Parke Sense® Rear Park Assist and LED Tail Lamps; the Cold Weather Group option adds $995 for heated front seats, heated steering wheel and remote start; the 8.4-Inch Radio and Premium Audio Group added $1595 for an 8.4-inch touchscreen display, Alpine® Premium 9-speaker Audio System, GPS navigation, HD Radio® and auto-dimming rear view mirror; and Adaptive Cruise Control/Forward Collision Warning added $795. With Destination Charges of $1495, my 2019 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon as tested stickered at $49,420.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

The 2019 Carlisle Chevrolet Nationals run June 21-22 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and have many great features and guests slated to appear.  One such guest stands head and shoulders above all others due to her iconic affiliation with an equally iconic brand.  Linda Vaughn is coming to Carlisle to honor the Hurst brand as part of a very special Hurst Showcase.  This is Vaughn’s first appearance at the Chevrolet Nationals since 2008, making this a much anticipated return to this special event weekend.

In an automotive world dominated by men, Vaughn, also known as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, burst onto the scene in the early ‘60s and perfectly blended Hollywood, sex appeal and women into the ranks of motorsports.  She is, without question, the First Lady of Motorsports and was the trophy girl at nearly every type of major motorsports competition, including Indy Car, Formula One and NASCAR.  She’s been crowned the queen of many different tracks, products and organizations, but her attachment to the Hurst brand in the ‘60s propelled the one-time dental assistant and local beauty to an international superstar.  She was so popular that she did USO type tours to Vietnam and even had similarly “built” assistants work as stand ins (Hurstettes) during the height of her popularity due to demand.

As part of her visit to Carlisle, Vaughn will meet fans, sign autographs, pose for photos and talk about her time in the automotive world as one of its preeminent beauty queens.  The Chevrolet Nationals is a can’t miss two-day happening and when combining that show with the long awaited return visit for Vaughn to Carlisle, there is no reason not to get involved. 

“When you think of the Hurst brand you almost instinctively think of Linda Vaughn.  They are almost inseparable,” said event manager Ken Appell.  “From an event planning perspective, getting Linda to the show was arguably as important as anything else and I’m glad we were able to make it happen.”

Again, autographs and photos are free and her appearance schedule will be announced closer to event weekend.  Rest assured, she will be in Carlisle throughout the weekend to meet everyone who wants to meet her.  Complete details about the Chevrolet Nationals, including the Bandit Jump, special displays additional Hurst guests, links to purchase single day or weekend tickets, specifics on Ms. Vaughn’s time at Carlisle and more can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

Spring is officially here, so let’s drive into springtime with something speeding away from winter. How about springtime in Italy, with the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider convertible, assembled in Modena, Italy? The two-seater lives up to Alfa’s heritage, which began in Milan, Italy in 1910 … and it was the 4C that returned Alfa to the U.S. market in 2014, after a 20-year hiatus.

Building on Alfa’s storied racing heritage, and its history of creating exciting, solid-handling, exotic, athletic vehicles, the 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider offers driving enthusiasts a mid-engine design and represents the essential sportiness embedded in the brand’s DNA. Handcrafted in Modena, Italy, the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider offers seductive Italian styling and a state-of-the-art Formula 1-inspired carbon fiber monocoque and aluminum chassis that enables an impressive .95 hp to 10 lbs. power-to-weight ratio. 

For 2019, Alfa has deleted the Spider hardtop coupe from the lineup, leaving only the convertible (with cloth targa top), and why not? Driving on a warm spring day, with the top down gets rid of the winter blahs in a heartbeat. New for this year, the 4C Spider complies with American federal regs with a rear backup camera, and Alfa has added standard rear parking sensors and cruise control. Additionally new stand-alone options include a race-tuned suspension; leather- and microfiber-wrapped steering wheel; and carbon fiber or Italian flag door-mirror caps.

The mid-engine rear-wheel-drive convertible is sport-sized with an overall length of 157 inches, width of 73.5 inches and height of 46.7 inches, on a 93.7-inch wheelbase, with a ground clearance 4.4 and a light curb weight of 2487 lbs. And its looks … well, it is Alfa, with hints of Lotus and Ferrari -- exotic, Euro-curved, angular and sculpted, with aggressive body creases. This is a sportscar, and when you drive it on the road, around town, or at the track, the gazes, nods and thumbs up from spectators are what feel-good cars are all about. Well, that and the performance.

The 4C Spider is powered by an all-aluminum direct injection 1750 (1,742 cc) inline-4 turbo engine that delivers 237hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The all-aluminum plant is direct-injected with dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing, and is EPA rated at 24mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway, for an average of 28mpg. My short week of mixed-use fun driving, with lots of tire-smoking and quick turns, yielded an average of 24.4mpg, but you should do better than that with more conservative driving … but why would you want to limit your fun? The one item that limited MY fun was that there are no manual transmissions available. Lack of customer demand prompted Alfa Romeo to only outfit the 4C Spider with a very precise and solid ALFA TCT (twin-clutch transmission). The setup is reliable and synched well, but not as much fun as a manual gearbox in a convertible sportscar.

The manufacturer says the 4C Spider will complete a zero to 60mph sprint in 4.1 seconds. I managed a 4.2 on a dusty track, with a hand-timed 12.8 quarter completed, but both times seemed much faster behind the wheel of this saucy convertible. On the interstate and even around town, with the top down, the engine growls, the wind whips, the 4C Spider deftly handles quick maneuvers and seems at one with its surroundings.

Athletic on the road and at the track … my 4C Spider responded and handled like an autocross star, and its response and handling live up to the Alfa track legacy, but the suspension is also track-oriented … with good road feel for the driver but invasive and susceptible to uneven spring roads around town. It is a rough ride for those not understanding road feel, and the tight steering is not exactly power steering, and if you are not in a sportscar frame of mind, it makes for a chore in tight maneuvering.

The cockpit is minimalistic – traditional sportscarlike. Short on infotainment, but cozy and meant for drivers, there is seating for two. Headroom is 38.0 inches with the top in place and endless when the convertible top is down; legroom is 42.7 inches and shoulder room is 49.8. Rear sightlines are tough, and the throaty engine and road noise are obvious with the top down and also harsh with the top in place. All are acceptable in a sportscar frame of mind, and less so in a touring mode.

From a safety perspective, the 2019 Alfa 4C Spider hits on all cylinders. The convertible is outfitted with advanced multistage front airbags, driver’s knee air bag, door-mounted side thorax air bags, energy-absorbing steering column, interior head-impact protection, passenger knee bolsters, 4-wheel anti-lock brake disc system, all-speed traction control system, electronic stability control, electronic launch control system, and more.

The 2019 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider starts at $66,900 plus a $1595 Destination charge. My test ride was bathed in a very energetic Giallo (Yellow) Protopo exterior paint, matched to a black and yellow interior for an additional $1500. My ride had upgraded 10-spoke silver wheels for $1800 and came with 205/40R18 and 235/35R19 3-season tires. Yellow brake calipers were an unnecessary cosmetic, but, OK, we got them for $450. An Alpine Premium Audio system, with subwoofer added $950, but the cabin is road and engine noisy (a good noise though), so I would suggest that you stay with the basic sound system and save the cash. The sticker-as-tested came to $73,195.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

In November of 2010 Carlisle Events purchased a 50+ acre plot of land south of the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds referenced by many as the former IAC or Lear Plant.  This footprint included a massive factory, plus acres of parking.  While the initial purchase was made to preserve parking, which supports the annual automotive events at the fairgrounds, Carlisle Events also had plans to redevelop the industrial landscape for mixed use commercial and residential.

As the work has progressed, the landscape on the southside of Carlisle along Route 34 (Carlisle Springs Rd.) has changed dramatically.  Trees have been planted where a factory once stood, lining streets that will connect parts of town that haven’t been directly connected in over 100 years.  While some trees have gone in, others have come out on the opposite side of the road.  This was done as a precursor to a much-needed storm water runoff area. 

Another aspect of the project that has necessitated a temporary new look to the landscape was the removal of a large rock, some shrubs and more importantly, a war memorial plaque.  The plaque was positioned on the west side of Carlisle Springs Rd. near the parking area closest to Hamilton St.  It was placed there decades ago to honor and remember factory workers who served and sacrificed via military action/service as part of World War II.  The plaque, while a long-standing fixture at the facility, was not visible to the masses as of late due to overgrowth in its area.  In addition, it was affixed to a large rock, which over time and due to various aspects of attrition, had deteriorated and crumbled to a point where it could no longer be maintained or fixed.

This plaque will return as soon as possible (likely mid-summer).  With its return to the factory site, the plaque will continue to honor those who worked at the factory, served our country and made many sacrifices along the way.

Complete details on the project can be found at https://www.carlislepa.org/carlisle-plan/.  In addition, car show season commences in less than six weeks with Spring Carlisle.  Parking areas adjacent to the main project footprint will be open, but guests may experience some delays as it is an active construction site.   

 

Only six years into its fourth generation, and two years removed from a solid style refreshening, the 5-passenger Subaru Forester compact SUV has entered a new generation with more power, a larger imprint and the addition of Subaru’s DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System. In fact, Subaru of America, Inc. has centered its new ad campaign on it, with spots that gives viewers an intimate look into the lives of three different Forester owners by highlighting how the vehicle’s safety features, including the new Subaru DriverFocus™ Distraction Mitigation System, versatility and reliability, make the 2019 Forester the safest, longest lasting and most adventurous Forester ever, according to the manufacturer.

The 2019 Forester is built on the Subaru Global Platform to deliver higher levels of agility, crash protection, ride comfort and quietness. Available in standard, Premium, Limited, Touring and new Sport trim levels, all Foresters are powered by an enhanced direct-injection, 182 hp 2.5- liter four-cylinder BOXER engine featuring Auto Stop/Start and paired with a standard Lineartronic CVT. Also standard on all trim levels is Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

Also for 2019, all Foresters come standard with the award-winning EyeSight Driver Assist Technology. The top-of-line Touring debuts the segment-exclusive DriverFocus safety technology which offers another layer of safety and convenience for the driver. The system uses facial recognition software to identify signs of driver fatigue or driver distraction and provides an audio and visual warning to alert the driver. DriverFocus also works with EyeSight to reduce the chance of an accident. And for added convenience, DriverFocus recognizes up to five drivers and remembers their seat and exterior mirror positions as well as multifunction display and climate control settings.

The 2019 Forester debuts a more rugged style that showcases Subaru’s new design language while retaining a strong family resemblance to the rest of the brand’s portfolio. 
Inspired by the needs of outdoor enthusiasts, the 2019 Forester Sport, the trim model I tested, joins the line with unique appearance elements and specially enhanced standard equipment. A Sport grille with black gloss finish frame, black-finish 18-in. wheels and rear roof spoiler give Forester Sport a rugged look, while orange accents on the black underguards and roof rail mounts add a modern, youthful touch. The interior is a unique dark gray material with orange stitching and accents throughout that is exclusive to the Sport model. With unitized body construction, ring-shaped frame reinforcement frame safety structure, all Forester models feature lower body side cladding, which helps protect against mud, rocks and other road debris.

Longer and wider for enhanced road stability, but still within compact crossover SUV parameters, the 2019 Forester’s 105.1-inch wheelbase has gained 1.2 inches, to support its 0.6-inch longer 182.1-inch length, its 0.8-inch wider 71.5-inch width and 67.5-inch height (up 1.1 inches,) with ground clearance of 8.7 inches (same as before). Forester Sport weighs in at about 3531 lbs.

Inside, the Forester cabin is roomy with good sightlines. The Base Forester provides 41.2 inches of front headroom with 39.6 inches in the rear seats (actually losing 0.2 inches in both areas), and my test Sport trim was even cozier at 40.2 and 37.7 inches. Legroom is 43.3 inches in row one and 39.4 inches in row two (gaining 1.4 in the rear), with shoulder room gaining better than an inch at 58.2.and 57.2.

The quiet interior has been designed for both greater passenger comfort and increased durability in everyday and recreational usage. New front seats are constructed to enhance comfort on long drives, and a new Electronic Parking Brake frees up console space by eliminating the traditional parking brake handle.

All Forester models now feature standard automatic climate control; and Keyless Access with Push Button Start is standard on Sport, with climate controls that can be set when Remote Engine Start is activated. 

All 2019 Foresters power up with a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 182hp and 176 lb-ft of torque (a gain of 12 and 2 over last year). Fuel economy is rated at 26mpg/city, 32mpg/highway and 28mpg combined, and I averaged 29.9mpg in mixed-use driving. More responsive, but not as quick as last year’s turbo (which has been discontinued), my test Sport finished off a zero-to-60mph sprint in 8.6 seconds during a 16.5-seccond quarter-mile. Highway passing at speed was predictable and efficient, and handling was somewhere between carlike and trucklike.

The 2019 Subaru Forester is available in five trim options. The Base Forester starts at $24,295; the 2.5i Premium starts at $26,295; the Sport begins at $28,795, the Limited starts at $30,795 and the Touring starts at $34,295 – the trim upgrades are largely concentrated in cosmetics and a few accessories. 

My Crystal White Pearl Sport was matched to a Gray Sport Cloth interior and came with a  moonroof. We added the $2045 Blind-Spot Detection/Rear Cross Traffic Alert Package with Reverse Automatic Braking, STARLINK 8.0-inch Multimedia Plus, Harmon Kardon Audio and a power rear gate. All-weather floor liners added $132; rear seatback protector added $93; the auto-dimming mirror with compass and Homelink added $365; side window deflectors added $99.95; splash guards added $172; and destination and delivery charges added $975, for a sticker-as-tested of $32,676.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>