that is so badass.

 

You won't see those on the front lines.

 

I'm curious who's military these were made for? Did Jeep get a huge US government contract for them? We may find a friend in Fiat on this topic. I get the feeling they are going to try to steer Jeep back to a more utility focus. It would be good to see Jeep go back to their real roots, civilian versions of military contract vehicles.

 

Why can't we have these dammit!!

I think this has been answered over and over again. Government, environmentialists wannabees/anti recreationists, cost to name a few things.

 

You can blame these groups you disagree with all you want, but the bottom line is, just that, the bottom line. Chrysler has determined there is no profit to be made by jumping through the necessary hoops to introduce this vehicle to the US market. Apparently there just are not enough of the Jeep faithful who want a basic utility Jeep like this any more.

Most of us still have Scramblers.

 

Egypt for one, I believe some are assembled there. I think the US Border Patrol is considered a potential customer, if they're not a purchaser already.

 

Cairo, Egypt, Nov 13, 2008 - Chrysler LLC and the Arab American Vehicles Company (AAV) today officially announced the manufacturing launch of the Jeep J8 multipurpose vehicle at AAV's Cairo assembly plant.

 

I have a good feeling that if Jeep is even still around in a few years, I'm gonna do what I can to get a diesel wrangler, even if I have to pay someone to ship one from Egypt....

 

As long as it is in compliance with EPA and DOT regulations, you could.

 

well not sure that anyone wants a heavy armored jeep, just a rugged one with a diesel would be "tits"

 

All my neighbors who drive KIA's Honda's and Suburu's would take 1 look at that front bumper and put their houses up for sale, before I let my girl drive it to the supermarket.

 

If you have the cash you can get one. AEV J8 Milspec. They are complete knock-down kits that will run you about $54k.

 

I think I prefer the 4 door wrangeler consumer variant.

 

I'd rather have a civilian version of this. Take off all of the armor and just leave the roll cage and wrap some sheet metal around the engine.

 

While I have never driven a Wrangler or Humvee in military service. I've been on the trail with Wranglers and H1's.

I can see the Humvee's advantages as a transport and weapons carrier in a theater like Iraq that is somewhat developed and seems to have a lot of open country. In a less developed, much more mountainous terrain, I can see where the J8, by virtue of it's lesser bulk, will go places the Humvee simply couldn't.

Wheeling with H1's, which are awesome vehicles, their size quickly becomes a liability in many off road situations, in the mountains of northern PA anyway. Perhaps in a theater like Afghanistan, the J8 might have a role to play.

Going back to WWII, the Jeep played a hugely important role in Europe, in the swamps and jungles of some Pacific campaigns, it was less useful. Different terrain, different needs. I wonder if any motor pool mechanics ever "Lincoln Locked" any MB's for the tougher stuff.

And sometimes smaller is better, historically the USMC likes to have small strike vehicles, whether it was the Mighty Mite M422 or the more recent, MUTT M151 FAV or the controversial Growler. These are needed to fit in the V-22 Osprey.

 

Is the army use jeep again because no more hummer.