THE JEEP Grand Cherokee proved to be a very capable off-roader on mud, sand and even shallow waters.
When one talks about Mount Pinatubo, people would remember one of the most surreal images ever captured on film, the one which was taken on June 15, 1991, by Filipino photojournalist Alberto Garcia, which is also considered as one of the greatest photographic images of the last century. It was a picture of a thousand words that tells the story of Mount Pinatubo’s fury as a massive wall of hot ash cloud chasing a rusty Ford Fiera as it flees away from the second worst volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The photo was chosen as one of Time Magazine’s “Greatest Images of the 20th Century” and made it on National Geographic Magazine’s list of the “Best 100 Pictures of the 20th Century.”
Fast forward some 20 years later, Mount Pinatubo has become a tourist haven for adventure seekers, who trek by foot to its crater lake, as well as off-roaders, who bring their 4x4s or ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) to play with sand and mud and an occasional splash of running river water. It offers various terrains, from a picturesque, cool and leafy mountain fissure to a cavern trail that was probably carved out by years of constant lahar flows, to a barren desert-like field that probably resembles the moon’s surface.
JEEP owners love to customize their vehicles by adding air intake snorkels, beefing up the suspension and bigger wheels and tires.
Auto Nation Group recently organized 25 units of privately owned and test unit Jeep Grand Cherokees and Wranglers, inviting their customers and some members of the media in an epic off-road experience dubbed “Jeep Thrills Pinatubo Adventure.” According to Auto Nation Group, the team that manages the Jeep brand in the country, all the Jeep owners have one common trait, which is the passion for outdoor freedom and adventure.
Auto Nation Group thought of organizing this event for them to give them a chance to brave the summer heat and engage in some tough terrains where Jeep owners and enthusiasts can be geared up to travel to the areas surrounding Mount Pinatubo with their very capable 4x4s. “Jeep, the authentic SUV, is all about adventure and freedom,” said Tonette Lee, marketing head of Auto Nation Group. “It provides customers an experience no other automotive brand can offer.”
Coordination, planning
THE TRAILS surrounding Pintatubo have different terrains, including sand, mud and water, that includes this very picturesque cavern trail.
Organizing only a few 4x4s for a weekend off-roading trail is easy, but getting together 25 units of 4x4s takes a lot of coordination and planning, especially when the participants do not know each other very well. The group first met at CATS Motor Greenhills and after a briefing by the organizer’s trailmaster and expert off-roader Beeboy Bargas, the group convoyed to Puning Hot Springs at Clarkfield, Pampanga. The trails surrounding Pinatubo have different terrains, including sand, mud and water, that includes a very picturesque cavern trail with flowing river water.
Very capable off-roader
Aside from the higher spec Rubicon Jeep Wranglers with the group, the participants found that the Jeep Grand Cherokee also proved to be a very capable off-roader on mud, sand and shallow river waters. The trailmaster for this event wanted to keep the formation very tight and both the Cherokees and Wrangler Rubicons were able to negotiate through tight and very tough trails.
Although some Jeep owners who joined had customized their vehicles by adding air intake snorkels, beefing up the suspension and bigger wheels and tires to enhance its off-roading capabilities, the test units provided by Auto Nation were all stock units without any modifications whatsoever. Yet they proved to be highly capable in tight and sometimes hairy situations. Bargas and his team of trail guides also acted as spotters to guide the inexperienced drivers in and out of potentially dicey conditions without much hassle.
With an automotive DNA dating back as far as 70 plus years ago, this rugged Second World War American icon has evolved into a vehicle with practically unmatched off-roading abilities. With decades of improvements and tuning, its all-new powertrain is paired with better creature comforts like a better interior and other premium features that would appeal not only to hard core off-roaders but to a growing audience. Lee adds, “as part of our commitment to our customers, we are providing them opportunities to meet fellow Jeep owners as well as venues to experience first-hand what their Jeeps are really built and meant for: Go anywhere and do anything.”
THE TRAILMASTER for this event kept the formation very tight. photos by Alvin Uy
Both the Grand Cherokee and the Wrangler variants are very popular models in Jeep lineups and the newly launched, award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee is considered as the most capable and luxurious Grand Cherokee ever, balancing both Jeeps legendary off-roading capability with style and sophistication to deliver a premium driving experience for all sorts of adventures. The boxy and iconic Jeep Wrangler on the other hand, with its seven-slot grille remains true to its heritage as the original fun-and-freedom machine, with its removable rooftop and doors, it is the only 4×4 convertible SUV in the market today.
With its very capable 2.8-liter diesel engine, it offers powerful off-road capabilities that matches with its body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles and electronic lockers. On the highway, engine and cabin noise was at a minimal, offering very civilized road manners as a daily driver.
“Available in two- and four-door models and boasting an untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air freedom, significant towing capability, improved real-world drivability, and unique 4×4 systems that deliver unmatched off-road prowess, the Jeep Wrangler once again resets the benchmark and offers consumers the ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure,” said Mike Manley, president and CEO of the Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC.
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