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Jeep Grand Cherokee to get ZF 8-speed auto ‘box

Jeep Grand Cherokee to get 8-Speed ZF Gearbox The latest version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has only just arrived, but already Jeep are planning improvements with the confirmation that the Grand Cherokee is to get the new 8-Speed automatic gearbox from ZF. The 8-speed ZF auto ‘box should help all round with the new Grand Cherokee, which already offers the promise of an American SUV matching the expectations of European buyers and, more importantly, offering a viable alternative to the offerings in the premium SUV sector from the Germans. Not only does the new Grand Cherokee look able and promising, even with a relatively modest 3.0 litre diesel being the only engine on offer for the mainstream Grand Cherokees, but with a starting point of under £38k (and a top-end price of £44k) there’s a lot on offer.

Concept Car of the Week: Ford Mustang RSX Concept (1979)

In the late ‘70s, Ford commissioned carrozzeria Ghia to build a concept car based on the Fox platform to help promote its third generation Mustang. Probably inspired by the Escort RS's success at the World Rally Championship, the concept was dubbed RSX – standing for Rally Sport Experimental – and the Fox platform-based Mustang was modified as a rally car. To improve the handling, the wheelbase from the Fox was shortened by 142mm, the track was widened by around 25mm at the rear while the ride height was increased for off-tarmac stages of European rallies.

Nissan Qazana (2010) caught testing

The Nissan Qazana shot testing - complete with what looks like bin-bag disguise I know, it’s not the easiest thing to work out from the picture above, but this is Nissan’s sub Qashqai Crossover – the Nissan Qazana – caught out testing recently. Which goes to show that the Qazana is well on track for amid 2010 launch and production at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. The Qazana – when it debuted at Geneva this year – was a daring concept, to say the least.