Driving Experience of 2019 Jeep Models in Italy
Introduction
We traveled to Desenzano del Garda, Italy, to test drive the 2019 Jeep Compass, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and the iconic Jeep Wrangler. Additionally, we learned more about Jeep's plans for the Middle East.
Driving Experience
We landed in Milan, where these vehicles were waiting for us to drive for over two hours to our destination. I was fortunate enough to get the chance to drive the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT. I was already excited about what was planned, and this was an incredible start. I spent two hours behind the wheel of a 6.4-liter V8 engine with 465 horsepower under the hood. The speed limit on the road we traveled was 130 km/h, but I managed to push it a bit more for a short time.
You can find our Instagram story below, showcasing me driving the 465 horsepower beast and how it revived me after a long journey. If you consider yourself the best, coolest, and most adventurous dad in the area, this is the car you should drive.
Click here to view the Instagram story of the trip
Arrival in Desenzano del Garda
We arrived at the Desenzano del Garda hotel, where the 2019 Jeep models were waiting for us, along with a Jeep Renegade. We didn't have the opportunity to stay with this car for long as we had to drive again to a press conference, and that's where things got even more interesting. We learned more about Fiat Chrysler Automobiles' plans for the region, including their hybrid and electric vehicle initiatives. Additionally, we got insights into Jeep's customer performance and sales.
For instance, Jeep sales grew by 56% compared to 2018. Sales of the beloved and completely revamped Wrangler (test drive here) increased by over 100%. It is evident that their strategy to expand their customer base is working extremely well. As of the first quarter of this year, things also look promising with a growth rate of 11.4%. This is noteworthy considering that we all know business has been quite slow lately. I can't help but think from the customer's perspective that more people are buying Jeep vehicles, leading to more Jeeps on the road and greater consumer confidence that encourages others to join this community.
Renegade 4X4e
On a different note, the exciting news is that they introduced the new Renegade 4X4e. When it arrives in the Middle East by the first quarter of 2020, this will be Jeep's first step towards electric driving. The Renegade will be a plug-in hybrid capable of off-road driving, providing up to 50 kilometers of electric driving without using a drop of gasoline. However, for fully electric models, we may have to wait a bit longer as they announced plans to introduce them to our region in the third and fourth quarters of the same year.
Day Two of the Experience
On the second day, things got more complex. We started early in the morning and headed to a beautiful camp next to a marble quarry. The same lineup of Wrangler, Compass, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee awaited us for testing, but with one difference: we took them to their natural habitat—off-road!
Testing Vehicles Off-Road
Each of these vehicles had a dedicated and complex off-road track to drive on. Therefore, each one deserves its own article. That said, I focused on the 2019 Jeep Compass and the 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee. You can find the articles at the following links.
