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Unique 705-HP Jeep Wrangler Goes to Auction for Charity

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Jeep has unveiled a truly unique offering: a one-of-a-kind, 705-horsepower Wrangler Commando 392, now available for public bidding. This specific model stands apart from the 249 units previously allocated to military service members and veterans, making it an exclusive opportunity for enthusiasts and collectors. The entire sum generated from its sale, including any buyer fees, will be donated to the United Service Organizations (USO), a non-profit dedicated to supporting U.S. troops and their families globally.

The auction for this extraordinary vehicle commenced on November 11, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on November 22. Hosted on the platform Bring a Trailer, the sale is conducted without a reserve price, guaranteeing that the high-performance Jeep will find a new owner, regardless of the final bid. This initiative underscores Jeep's commitment to philanthropy, channeling significant funds towards a venerable organization that has provided crucial support to the military community for decades.

This particular Commando 392 is distinguished by its Army Green paint scheme, adorned with specialized Commando and USO graphics, and complemented by bronze-finished wheels. This aesthetic sets it apart from the camouflage-inspired wraps of its limited-edition counterparts, emphasizing its role as a special fundraising vehicle. Jeep CEO Branden Coté articulated the purpose behind this offering, stating that it is intended to honor military personnel while concurrently raising essential funds for an organization vital to the military community.

Under the hood, this unique Wrangler is a powerhouse. Starting as a four-door Wrangler 392, it originally housed a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine delivering 470 horsepower. However, Fox Factory Vehicles significantly upgraded it with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, elevating its output to an impressive 705 horsepower. This substantial power boost of 235 horsepower makes it a formidable off-road machine, reflecting Jeep's ongoing innovation in blending high performance with rugged utility.

Beyond its enhanced engine, the vehicle boasts substantial off-road capabilities. It features a 3.5-inch JKS suspension lift paired with Fox 3.0 internal bypass shocks, meticulously tuned to manage the additional weight and grip provided by its 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grappler tires. These tires are mounted on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, designed to maintain integrity and traction even at lower off-road pressures. This robust setup ensures that the Commando 392 is not only powerful but also supremely capable in diverse terrains.

This charitable auction reflects Jeep's established strategy of leveraging special editions and partnerships for philanthropic causes, similar to its involvement with events like the Easter Jeep Safari. The Commando 392 serves as a halo vehicle, simultaneously showcasing the brand's engineering prowess and acting as a significant fundraising tool for the USO, reinforcing the brand's dedication to supporting those who serve.

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Jeremy Clarkson's Troubling Tesla Cybercab Experience: Red Lights, Phantom Obstacles, and Unstoppable Journeys

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Jeremy Clarkson recently shared his alarming experiences with Tesla's Cybercab robotaxi service in Texas, revealing significant operational flaws during his two booked rides. The first vehicle failed to initiate the journey, while the second exhibited dangerous behavior, including running red lights, braking for phantom obstacles, and failing to stop at the designated destination. This unsettling account raises critical questions about the safety and reliability of Tesla's autonomous driving technology, particularly as these vehicles lack traditional manual controls for passenger intervention. Clarkson's firsthand narrative underscores the challenges and potential hazards that still need to be addressed in the development and deployment of self-driving taxis.

Clarkson's Alarming Robotaxi Ordeal in Texas

Jeremy Clarkson's recent trial of Tesla's Cybercab service in Texas revealed a series of significant malfunctions, painting a concerning picture of the autonomous vehicle's current state. During his initial attempt to use the robotaxi, the vehicle remained immobile, with its internal system erroneously indicating that the journey had begun. This led to a recommendation from a Tesla representative to cancel and rebook. The subsequent ride, however, proved to be far more problematic, involving perilous traffic violations such as running red lights and erratic braking due to non-existent obstructions. Clarkson described being trapped in a vehicle devoid of any manual controls, leading to a ten-minute period of genuine fear. The Cybercab also struggled to navigate around an autonomous shopping cart, further illustrating its operational shortcomings. This unsettling experience led Clarkson to express strong reservations about the robotaxi's readiness for widespread use, particularly in busy urban environments.

Clarkson's detailed account in his Sunday Times column highlighted the unexpected and alarming issues he encountered with Tesla's robotaxi service. His first booking was a non-starter, with the Cybercab stationary despite the in-car assistant claiming it was in motion, necessitating a cancellation and rebooking. The second vehicle's performance was even more concerning. Initially, the journey proceeded normally, but it quickly devolved into a series of dangerous incidents, including the vehicle proceeding through red lights and executing abrupt stops for obstacles that were not present on the road. As a passenger in a car without a steering wheel or pedals, Clarkson found himself powerless to intervene, experiencing a prolonged period of anxiety. He also recounted a tense moment where the Cybercab displayed difficulty in responding appropriately to an autonomous shopping cart crossing its path. These critical failures prompted Clarkson to conclude that, despite his initial admiration for Elon Musk's vision, he would avoid the Cybercab if it were introduced in London, underscoring significant safety and operational concerns.

Operational Glitches and Regulatory Scrutiny

One of the most troubling aspects of Clarkson's Cybercab experience was its failure to terminate the journey at the intended destination. Upon reaching the drop-off point, the vehicle continued to drive, informing him it was seeking a "safe place to pull over," despite passing multiple apparently suitable locations. This autonomous decision-making process, which overrode the passenger's desired stop, highlights a critical flaw in user control and predictability. This incident adds to a growing list of concerns surrounding Tesla's robotaxi service, which has already faced scrutiny for incidents like a bollard crash in Austin and is currently under a federal safety probe due to its erratic behavior. The ongoing expansion of Tesla's unsupervised robotaxi fleet across several U.S. cities, including Austin, Dallas, and Miami, amplifies these safety apprehensions. While registration data in Texas indicates a substantial number of Tesla Robotaxi vehicles, the actual day-to-day performance and safety records remain subjects of concern, with Clarkson's recent encounter serving as a stark reminder of the technology's current limitations.

The extended journey beyond the designated drop-off point was a particularly vexing part of Clarkson's experience. The Cybercab's refusal to stop at the intended location, instead continuing its drive under the pretext of finding a "safe" spot, demonstrated a critical lack of responsiveness to passenger needs and a potential overreliance on its own decision-making algorithms, even when seemingly questionable. This behavior is not an isolated incident for Tesla's autonomous fleet. The Austin robotaxi service has already garnered negative attention following a collision with a bollard, and federal regulators have initiated a comprehensive safety investigation into the overall conduct of these vehicles. Despite these significant concerns, Tesla has continued to rapidly deploy its robotaxi service, utilizing both Model Y vehicles and Cybercabs, across numerous cities in Texas and Florida, offering unsupervised, almost continuous operation. While independent data suggests a substantial number of Tesla Robotaxi LLC vehicles are registered in Texas, indicating a large-scale deployment, the actual safety and reliability of this expanding fleet are continuously being evaluated through experiences like Clarkson's, which underscore the ongoing need for rigorous testing and improvement before widespread public trust can be established.

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Toyota's Compact Sports Car Revival: The S-FR Returns as a Kei-Car Concept

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Toyota appears to be revisiting its S-FR concept, a small sports car first unveiled in 2015, with new reports suggesting a significant reinterpretation. Originally envisioned as an accessible, nimble alternative to larger performance vehicles, the S-FR could now be reimagined as a compact, rear-wheel-drive coupe designed to meet strict kei-car regulations. This potential revival, fueled by a Japanese publication, hints at a production model possibly launching as soon as next year, offering a glimmer of hope to enthusiasts who lamented the concept's initial failure to reach showrooms.

The Rebirth of Toyota's Compact Sports Car

Toyota is reportedly exploring the resurrection of the S-FR, a beloved compact sports car concept that first debuted at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show. This new iteration, however, is rumored to take a dramatically different direction, moving towards a kei-car specification. The original S-FR concept was lauded for its promise of an affordable, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupe, but it never made it past the conceptual stage, much to the disappointment of many. Now, a report from Japan suggests that Toyota is actively considering bringing the S-FR nameplate back to life, potentially as a much smaller, more fuel-efficient sports car.

The key to this potential revival lies in its alignment with Daihatsu's ongoing efforts. Daihatsu, a Toyota subsidiary, has been developing a new generation of its Copen model. Their K-Open concept, showcased at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, indicates a move toward a rear-wheel-drive setup, marking a significant departure from its predecessor. This concept's dimensions—133.7 inches (3,395 millimeters) long, 58.1 inches (1,475 mm) wide, and 48.4 inches (1,230 mm) tall, with an 89.2-inch (2,265-mm) wheelbase—reportedly mirror those being considered for the new Toyota S-FR. This downsizing from the original S-FR's 157.1 inches (3,990 mm) in length suggests a focus on adhering to kei-car regulations, which limit vehicle size and engine displacement to ensure affordability and fuel efficiency. If these rumors prove accurate, the production version could feature a turbocharged 660cc three-cylinder engine, producing around 64 horsepower, coupled with a five-speed manual or CVT, exclusively driving the rear wheels. Such a setup, while not boasting immense power, could deliver a pure, engaging driving experience often sought by sports car enthusiasts.

Daihatsu's Role and the Future of Affordable Sports Cars

The collaboration between Toyota and Daihatsu is central to the S-FR's potential resurgence, particularly with Daihatsu's pioneering work on the K-Open concept. While the performance figures of a 660cc engine may seem modest, the emphasis is placed on creating a lightweight sports car that offers an unadulterated driving experience, a rarity in today's increasingly complex and heavy automotive landscape. Details regarding the car's exact weight, engine placement, and suspension configuration are still under wraps, but the intent is clear: to provide a nimble, responsive vehicle that prioritizes driver engagement.

An intriguing aspect of this collaboration is the potential for two distinct models emerging from a shared platform. Daihatsu could leverage the engineering to revive its Copen as an open-top roadster, while Toyota could introduce the S-FR as a fixed-roof coupe. This dual-brand strategy would allow both companies to cater to slightly different market segments without the need for entirely separate development programs, making the project more commercially viable. Although the rumored 2027 arrival date remains speculative, the idea of an affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car with a manual gearbox is a refreshing proposition, especially given the current trend toward more expensive and technologically advanced vehicles. However, with Toyota's ambitious plans for its Gazoo Racing (GR) division, including a plethora of new and returning nameplates, the business feasibility of introducing another model, particularly one designed for the kei-car segment, remains a critical consideration. While an expanded GR lineup is appealing, not all rumored models can realistically come to fruition, making the S-FR's path to production a keenly watched development.

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