April 4th, or 4/4 — or is it still 4×4? — it's jeep day , occasion for a celebration by the North American brand. For this year, the event focuses on the “Trail Rated”, the Jeep certification program that distinguishes its most capable models on all terrains.
This is the fifth year that Jeep celebrates this day, but given the atypical circumstances we live in, the brand has adapted its day's commemorations to this new reality.
So, this year, no offroad tours for the brand's fans, with celebrations taking place on social media under hashtags #4x4Day and #stayofftheroad . Jeep wants to give its fans virtual challenges, without leaving their home. To find out what they are, go to the brand's Facebook and Instagram page.
Trail Rated
This year's Jeep Day revolves around Trail Rated certification. For any Jeep model to earn this badge it must demonstrate high performance in five areas of assessment: traction, fording, maneuverability, articulation and ground clearance.
- the tests of traction they include passing on floors… where it is often lacking: wet, muddy, snowy and even steeper floors.
- At passage to ford , the model must guarantee the tightness of the electrical part and the bodywork.
- maneuverability puts test models in “squeeze”, that is, in tight spaces, to determine how the model can handle itself in emergency situations, with the turning radius deserving special attention.
- A word known to all off-roaders: articulation . Or the ability to keep the wheels on the track by keeping the pace, when it becomes more delicate and our vehicle looks more like an “acrobat”.
- Lastly, ground clearance . One of the main factors for overcoming obstacles, and here the angles of attack, exit and ventral also come into play.
These tests to ensure Trail Rated certification take place at the various Jeep Research and Development departments in northern Michigan (where the Jeep is headquartered) which is characterized by harsh winters, and ends at the famous Rubicon Trail, one of the toughest off-road sections in the world.
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Today, all Jeeps on sale have Trailhawk versions, from the smallest Renegade to the largest Grand Cherokee, through the Compass and Cherokee and, of course, the unavoidable Wrangler (all its versions have the Trail Rated emblem).
Razão Automóvel's team will continue online, 24 hours a day, during the COVID-19 outbreak. Follow the recommendations of the General Directorate of Health, avoid unnecessary travel. Together we will be able to overcome this difficult phase.