The coolest jeep. Jeep models: characteristics, tuning

Off-road vehicles now represent one of the most popular classes. For example, in the Russian market, they occupy about 40%. In local conditions SUVs are particularly 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 diversity of both cars in general and SUVs has grown substantially. And now it's not easy to determine the coolest jeep.

Features

Currently, the concept of "jeep", or "SUV", is very blurry. This is due to the mixing of classes of cars, which began by the end of the last century. Prior to this, the cars were clearly divided into passenger cars and off-road ones. However, in the late 90's. Manufacturers began to mix them to get the most versatile machine possible. Jeep began to acquire features of passenger models. The first on this path was Mercedes Benz, releasing the ML model in 1997. The following year, Lexus joined it, launching the RX production, and in 1999, BMW with the X5. Unlike traditional off-road vehicles, these models were oriented to operation on solid roads, and on patency only slightly exceeded conventional cars. This is due to the fact that these cars were built on passenger platforms, so they had a bearing body, a simplified four-wheel drive system, poor geometry. Such cars began to be called parquet SUVs, or crossovers. Over time, there were models that have single-drive options.

Criteria

Since modern cars have become very versatile and multifunctional, but at the same time diverse, distinguishing among them the coolest jeep is not easy. 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 because of serious competition machines can be very close in terms of parameters.

In addition, in any case, steepness is a subjective characteristic. Therefore, in view of the fact that this article is compiled on the basis of both technical characteristics and representations of the public masses about the prestige of various models, the information in it may not coincide with personal opinions.

SUVs

The traditional large jeep frame structure can be oriented to two qualities. This is patency and comfort.

Passable

Initially, the passability was the main characteristic for SUVs. On its basis, they appeared. Such traditional models have a frame structure, a pluggable four-wheel drive, often a short three-door body for improving geometry, a tiring diesel or gasoline engine, lowering the range in the transmission, inter-axle and inter-wheel lock. At the same time they are distinguished by very simple interiors, where almost no attention is paid to comfort. By now, there are almost no such machines. They include only Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Jimny and UAZ Hunter. Although these models have always been few. Of the earlier produced cars can be noted Land Rover Defender, whose production was stopped at the beginning of this year. The coolest jeep out of the produced now is the first one. The other two models are budgetary, and Wrangler is not only a functional, but also a prestigious car.

Comfortable

Usually a car of this type is a large jeep, larger than the cars discussed above. From them, these models are distinguished by comfortable salons, trimmed at the level of premium cars using high-quality materials. In addition, they have many electronic systems, oriented both to comfort and to patency. According to the last parameter, these jeeps are usually slightly inferior to the models considered above, but still at a high level. To such cars it is possible to carry Lexus LX, Range Rover, Mercedes Benz G, Cadillac Escalade. From old models it's Hummer H1 and H2, Lamborghini LM002 and Infiniti QX (current generation with load-bearing body).

Universal

These options do not belong to elite cars, but they have a comfortable interior and passability at the level of the previous type of cars. At the same time they are very prestigious. The most steep among these models in the CIS is the Toyota Land Cruiser. Also worth noting are the numerous American full-size SUVs like Chevrolet Tahoe. In the old days, among this class, Mitsubishi Pajero (although it is smaller) and Nissan Patrol, which have now switched to load-bearing bodies, were highly valued.

Crossovers

As it was mentioned, many of these machines can be considered as off-road passenger models. They have load-bearing bodies, a simplified four-wheel drive system. Now there are much more such models than traditional SUVs. Although mainly among large cars there are classic jeeps that have switched to load-carrying bodies, which by functional qualities are still referred to as off-road vehicles (for example, Nissan Patrol). Among the crossovers there are a lot of both steep and mass economical models.

Large and medium

Of the larger models, the most steep are the Infiniti QX, Mercedes Benz GLS.

Also very prestigious mid-size premium crossovers, 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, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery were highly regarded, which appeared long before all the models mentioned, but then they were pushed back to the background.

Sports

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

Among these models, despite their diversity, you can still distinguish the coolest jeep, at least for speed characteristics. This is a Bentley crossover, as it is currently the fastest car in this class, ahead of the Porsche Cayenne, which used to occupy this place earlier.

Tuning

However, when choosing a car, even from these models, there is still a chance to meet on the road almost the same. Therefore, it is widely believed that it is possible to create a really cool car only by tuning.

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

Modifications of the latter type also have several directions for off-road vehicles: patency, dynamics, comfort.

Penetration

With this tuning apply refinements that increase the ability of the car to overcome impassability. For classic SUVs, this characteristic is particularly important. Jeep was originally meant for this.

Usually off-road improvements begin with a change in the running gear. This type of tuning involves the modification of primarily wheels and suspension.

The simplest option is the installation of off-road tires, which increase the coupling properties on the ground.

The next stage is the lift (increase of the ground clearance). The easiest way to do this is by installing spacers and wheels with a larger diameter. Thus, only frame models of jeeps can be lifted. A more complex and effective solution is an elevator-suspension kit, including reinforced springs and longer shock absorbers. This increases not only the ground clearance, but also the suspension moves. A particularly difficult way is to install portal bridges. However, this requires a change in the transmission and is not applicable to all cars.

Also it is necessary to refine the transmission. The main improvements for SUVs are differential locks and interaxle locks.

The first allow optimal distribution of torque on the wheels during slipping. There are several options for such devices: differentials of increased friction, automatic and manual interlocks, self-locking differentials, overrunning clutches. For competent tuning it is necessary to know their features, as some devices are inefficient on the roads, and others make road maintenance more difficult.

Interaxial interlocks serve to optimally distribute the torque between the axles.

Finally, you can improve the bodywork. This involves the installation of power elements, represented by protective sheets, power bumpers and thresholds. The sheets serve to protect the engine, transmission, steering rods and other aggregates from impacts from below. Bumpers and thresholds cover the body.

Increasing engine performance is less common in off-road tuning than in sports. Usually, the models of jeeps, having initially insufficient characteristics, are modified in this way. And off-road tuning of engines differs from sports. Productivity improvements are achieved by similar methods, but use other settings: if it is important for sports to increase power, then for impassability, the importance of harshness is more important.

There is an extensive range of additional equipment for SUVs.

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

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

To overcome fords, you need to install a snorkel on the car. This detail is an upward-mounted engine intake, the one that has a standard car under the hood. Jeep also it is desirable to equip the waterproofing of the wiring and to bring up the breather transmissions.

Other tuning

Modifications of other directions (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 a simple original model.