Getting dirty in the 2008 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon

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Our first experience with the Wrangler Unlimited was on a hot, dry and dusty day in the Pocono Mountains, which meant we didn’t get an opportunity to get the truck dirty. We did manage to make it flex and got more than a few shots of it with the suspension at full droop. I figured that spring time in Ontario would be the perfect time to see how it handles the goo. Little did I know that only 20 minutes away from home, winter still has a grasp on the old concession roads.

Southern Ontario is criss crossed by old concession roads that farmers used to get around as far back as the late 1800’s. Many of these roads are still in the public domain as unmaintained roads that are really only accessible to farm equipment and properly equipped 4×4’s. The Rubicon is more than well equipped, but as we were a single truck, it could be easy to get stuck and have nobody around to pull the beast out. As we headed north on the road that leads to the back end of Mosport, it quickly became apparent that the road was in no condition to be used by a lone vehicle. Deep (like axle deep) goo on one side, and deep soft snow on the other led to a fully snow covered road. We performed a 10 point turn and gently picked our way back out. The Rubi never missed a beat.
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Embargo broken: HUMMER HX Concept

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Normally, we’re not too big on embargo breaking here in The Garage, but in this case all the big guys have had a go already so it should be cool to share the coolness that is the HUMMER HX.

Looking for all the world like a Wrangler on steriods, the HX is powered by a 3.6-liter SIDI E85 FlexFuel that spins all four wheels through a 6 speed slush box. The coolest part though is the modular make up of the body. This convertible 4 wheeler looks like it was developed with the Knex generation in mind, which means that all sorts of different configurations would be available. Just imagine the explosion of aftermarket parts for this puppy.

Via Autoblog with press release and more photos after the break
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