Torque Staff Report
Welcome to the Seven Slot Dispatch, our weekly aggregation of Jeep news and events from around the automotive landscape. Every week, we’ll be shifting into low range to bring you the latest news, gear drops, and industry moves shaping the Jeep world.
Whether it's fresh concept news from Moab, Utah, new initiatives from Stellantis, a dive into Jeep’s latest model, or a closer look at the community that's been living the Jeep life for decades, you'll find it all here — served up with the same grit and passion that built the brand itself.
Here’s the latest news and information.
Accomplished Veterans Seek Fourth Rebelle Rally Title
Three-time champions Nina Barlow and Teralin Petereit sit atop the 2025 Rebelle Rally leaderboard heading into Friday’s final day of competition in California’s Mojave Desert. Between the pair, they have 14 total podium finishes in the event’s nine-year history.
As of Thursday, Barlow and Petereit scored 1,498 points, good enough for a 40 point lead over Karisa Haydon and Trista Smith.
The Rebelle Rally is an eight-day, 1,550-plus mile off-road adventure that spans the diverse landscapes of Nevada and California. What makes it particularly distinctive is that it is 100% women-only, and contestants compete without the aid of GPS, cell phones, or any electronic navigation tools. Instead, teams of two (a driver and a navigator) rely solely on traditional navigation techniques: maps, compasses, and roadbooks.
This year, Barlow and Petereit are piloting a Gladiator Mojave as they seek their fourth title in five years. Overall, Jeep 4x4 vehicles have secured seven of nine wins and five of eight coveted Bone Stock awards during Rebelle’s 10-year span.
SEMA and Aftermarket Leaders Rally on Capitol Hill to Shape Fair ADAS Policy
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), alongside key aftermarket partners including Quadratec and American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), headed to Washington, D.C. recently to ensure voices of vehicle owners and the aftermarket automotive industry are heard in shaping future vehicle technology policy.
The group met with lawmakers and staff across 15 sessions to discuss Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a growing concern as more modern vehicles integrate technologies like adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping systems. Their goal: to ensure federal guidelines recognize how common aftermarket modifications such as lift kits, bumpers, and tire upgrades affect ADAS calibration and functionality.
This advocacy effort comes as Congress develops the 2026 Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, or highway bill, which could define ADAS-related standards for the foreseeable future. SEMA’s position emphasizes that properly recalibrated and tested ADAS systems should remain compatible with vehicle personalization — maintaining both safety and the freedom to modify.
SEMA’s continued involvement aims to protect Jeep and aftermarket communities by ensuring future legislation accounts for real-world modifications without limiting the spirit of customization that defines off-road culture.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Owners Report OTA Glitch That Temporarily Bricks Vehicles
Some Jeep Wrangler 4xe owners have experienced a frustrating hiccup following recent over-the-air (OTA) updates — their vehicles temporarily ‘bricking’ during the process. The glitch has reportedly left some Wranglers unresponsive until the system resets or receives a fix from Jeep. While Stellantis has not yet released an official statement, customers are being advised to contact dealerships if they encounter the issue.
Over-the-air software updates are designed to make vehicle ownership more seamless by delivering performance tweaks and feature enhancements directly, but incidents like these show this kind of connectivity still comes with risks.
