According to The Guardian, Chrysler is currently in talks with Fiat and Tata over a possible future cooperation. As we already know, Fiat and Tata have a partnership. Fiat agreed this month to handle the financing in Europe for Tata’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands, while Tata said it was open to Fiat selling its ultra-cheap Nano.

Though no officials from the three companies confirmed, rumors say that Chrysler, the third largest U.S. automaker, has been in discussions with Tata about arrangements to sell its Jeep Wrangler SUV in India and possibly other Asian markets, the sources said. The cooperation between Tata and Chrysler could result in the two automakers launching an electric vehicle. Tata said in January that “exploratory discussions” had begun with Chrysler over sales for a battery-powered version of its Ace mini-truck. By concluding a deal with Tata, Chrysler also could look to sell a version of the Jeep Wrangler to the Indian military, another person familiar with the talks said.

In addition, Chrysler has been talking to Fiat about leasing Chrysler production capacity in North America and cooperating in retail distribution in the U.S. market. That could allow Fiat to return to the world’s largest auto market, while Chrysler could cut costs at a time when sales are down and it faces mounting pressure to shore up cash. Like the other two Detroit giants, GM and Ford, Chrysler has faced scrutiny over its liquidity because of the sharp decline in sales. Chrysler lost $1.6 billion in 2007 and the holding company that includes both the automaker and its financing unit, Chrysler Financial, lost $509 million in the first quarter.

In an interview for Bloomberg, Chrysler’s President Jim Press announced that Chrysler is planning on dropping some of its SUVs, due to some models cometing each others. He said the about half of Chrysler’s current 11 SUV models will be dropped, as Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge will be organized into combined dealerships.

Press said: “We’re going to stop overlapping, we’re going to bring everything under one roof. By doing that we will have more products in the markets we are not covering […] Our finances will have better quality.” Chrysler, which is currently facing serious financial loss (more than $2 billion since the beginning of 2006) gets three quarters of its US sales from pickup trucks, vans and SUVs.

Also, Chrysler’s new owner since last year, Cerberus Capital Management LP announced that, to save money, it will shut the company for two weeks in July, will cut 25,100 jobs and will drop models such as the Pacifica SUV and PT Cruiser convertible.

Read More: "Chrysler to drop some of it SUV models"

The Jeep Renegade is the third concept presented by Chrysler at Detroit, after the Dodge Zeo and the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept.

The Renegade is powered by the same propulsion system on the other two Chrysler concepts, featuring dual electric 200 kilowatt (268 horsepower) motors with 40 miles range. However, the car also has a 115 hp 1.5 liter 3-cylinder BLUETEC diesel engine, which increases its range to about 400 miles. A range extender – in Renegade’s case, a small-displacement (1.5-liter, 3-cylinder) BLUETEC diesel engine – allows for journeys beyond 40 miles. In fact, the Jeep Renegade concept boasts a 400-mile range.

The all-new Jeep Renegade concept’s lightweight aluminum architecture and regen-braking system help to improve overall efficiency, while the 4×4 system (complete with low range and locking differentials) is pretty capable.

See more photos after the jump.
Read More: "Detroit Auto Show: Jeep Renegade Concept"

German tuner Delta, specialized in creating some cool 4×4 tuning programs, created this, the Delta DUNE Project for the 40th Essen Motor Show. The car, based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee has got a power boost of 74 hp, so it now has 499 hp and goes from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in less then 5 seconds, which is quite amazing. The power output was increased by a specially developed motor-management system, new sport exhaust with performance manifold and modified air feed.

The whole car was lifted by 100 mm but the new front spoiler lowers the clearance by 50 mm. All that, plus the custom 23 inch Elements IV wheels wrapped in Continental Cross Contact tires and the special maroon matt paint with scratch protection add up to make the Delta DUNE Project one really interesting 4×4 tuning program.

See more photos after the jump.

Read More: "The Delta DUNE Project based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee"

The four door Jeep Wrangler, which imho is not as great as it predecessors, got a new tuning package from Startech and will be on display at the Essen Motor Show. No spectacular mechanical modifications, Startech offers a range of exclusive accessories for the Jeep Wrangler, with “shiny” being the defining word for this program. We’ve got chrome-plated stainless steel pedestrian protection, stainless-steel rocker panel guards, highly polished stainless-steel rear protection, Startech exhaust tip, highly polished stainless-steel spare-wheel cover and chrome-plated mirror housings and door handles as well as by a chrome-plated front grille.

The Startech Jeep Wrangler rides on five-spoke Startech Monostar IV light-alloy wheels, available in three different sizes, from 19 to 22 inches. The interior is also shiny, with highly polished stainless-steel scuff plates, newly designed trim components for dashboard and center console and a wide range of Startech exclusive uphostery is available.

See more photos after the jump.
Read More: "Jeep Wranger tuning program by Startech"

Yesterday we’ve posted about the three concepts from Chrysler which will debut at next year’s Detroit Motor Show. Among those was the Jeep Renegade concept, a four wheel drive sport hybrid, powered by a lithium-ion battery electric motor and a Bluetec diesel engine, which achieves an impressive 110 mpg fuel consumption. But that’s not what we wanted to talk about. One of our readers, torres9, showed us something really interesting. Here’s the Warthog, a vehicle from the popular video game Halo. Though there are a few differences, we have to admit that the designs are very similar and, fitted with a gun turret, the Renegade could easily replace the Warthog and no one would even notice.

If Halo’s Master Chief catches Cortana getting hooked on online poker, what do you think would his reaction be? I’m guessing not very different to what his reaction would be if Autounleashed reader torres9’s observation proves true.

Read More: "Jeep Renegade inspired by the Warthog from Halo?"

Chrysler announced three new concepts that will debut at next year’s Detroit Motor Show. These are the ‘clean-running’ and ‘excitingly-styled’ Dodge Zeo, Jeep Renegade and Chrysler ecoVoyager.

The Dodge Zeo is a sport wagon hybrid concept and even though it looks like a 2+2 coupe it’s actually a four-door four-seater concept. Powered by a 250 kW electric motor which runs on a plug-in lithium-ion battery, the concept has a range of 250 miles and it speeds from 0 to 62 mph (100km/h) in less than 6 seconds.

The second concept, the Jeep Renegade is a four wheel drive sport hybrid concept (with the most striking design from all three) and which is also powered by lithium-ion battery electric motor and a Bluetec diesel engine, and achieves an impressive 110 mpg fuel consumption. The concept’s AWD system features two 85 kW electric motors on each axle.

And the third concept is the Chrysler ecoVoyager, features a hydrogen fuel cell that generates electricity for the battery pack and 200 kW electric motor, and which Chrysler says , has a range of 300 miles.

Do you like these designs? I, personally, am not so thrilled, still, if the technologies will see production, things look really good. You can leave a comment here.

More photos after the jump.
Read More: "Chrysler concepts for Detroit"

This must be one of the most retarded contests I’ve ever heard of. In a questionable marketing move, Jeep decided to organize “Sweetest Day”, a competition where you can win a 2008 Jeep Patriot. But what are you willing to do for that Jeep? Well, it seems that the cars you can win are covered in chocolate, so you have to lick your way to the Patriot.

To enter the competition you need to be at least 18 years old and you must be a legal resident of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Oh, and one more thing, you have to answer the question “Why do you want to celebrate Sweetest Day the Jeep Way?” in a 250-word essay until 5pm EDT, October 11. And for those of you how really want a Patriot that much, here’s the official website of the Sweetest Day.

Chrysler made a press release in which announced that it will recall about 370,000 vehicles because of some problems occurred. One of the problems is a brake delay that occurs while going up hill, so Chrysler is going to reprogram the computer that controls the anti-lock breaking system (ABS). This problem affects 56,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Jeep Commanders, more than 90,000 Jeep Wranglers and almost 50,000 Dodge Nitros.

Another problem occurred at Chrysler vehicles is with faulty door latches and locks and it affects 72,000 2008 Dodge Avenger sedans and Chrysler Sebring Convertibles.
Read More: "Chrysler recalls 370,000 vehicles because of brake and door problems"