South Beach Adventures at Camp Jeep at the Miami International Auto show

We dare you to try this out for a thrilling experience

By Tony C. Lesesne - Miami International Auto Show week 2025

Talk about an adrenaline rush! The Miami International Auto Show always brings the heat to the Miami Beach Convention Center, but this year, Jeep took the experience to a whole new level. For those of you following my adventures in this series down on South Beach, I have to give a massive shoutout and hearty congratulations to Jeep for reeling me in—strapped tight, of course—to the incredible Camp Jeep indoor off-road track.

It’s one thing to see the shiny new models gleaming on the show floor; it’s another to experience their legendary capability firsthand. The Camp Jeep test track is not just a display—it’s an interactive, simulated proving ground designed to showcase a Jeep vehicle's rugged durability and performance in real-time, all within the cool, controlled environment of the Convention Center. For me, it was a playground for the big boys.

Meet My Co-Pilot, Juliet the Expert Driver (for real)

Don't let that innocent baby face fool you. Juliette can handle any road she faces. I'm good to go!

Now, I pride myself on being a competent driver, but when faced with a 13-foot-high, 35-degree hill climb that puts you over 22 feet above the ground... let's just say I was more than happy to stay in my lane, safely strapped to my seat. My professional driver, Juliet, was the absolute expert and my hero. I couild tell by the look in her eyes that she had a few tricks up her sleeve and was more than rerady to spring them on me.YIPPIE!!!

Juliette Corish was my driving expert in MIami

She tackled the course with the smooth precision of a seasoned pro, laughing and narrating the experience. Juliette fed me stats on the angle, degree and incline perspective we were taking on and I was in disney-land for driving enthusiasts like myself. Her professional skills let me focus on the pure, unadulterated thrill of the ride.

The creeping start built the suspense beautifully. As we inched toward the first major obstacle, the anticipation was palpable. Then, Juliet guided our Jeep over an ever-changing landscape of varying inclines, turns, and seemingly impossible obstacles. As we cleared each hill, turn and step ladders - which was so much fun, we approached the final hill; a steep incline that, from the ground looked like it was near the roof of the convention center - YES! We were cleared to go and off we went. The jeep was leaning almost upright and it was fantastic. We arrive at the very top, and the Juliete titled the nose of the Jeep forward and down. There, way below was the ground, the whole convention center floor could be seen from up here. Then we cruised all the way to the bootm...Its a Jeep but the ride was VIP.

Okay, so for that experience, that adventure, I salute the Jeep team and Juliette, Sergio, Sam and Kimberly for elevating the experience for me, my audiences and those ready for the next adventure.

Be sure to watch the video show at this link.

The Adrenaline-Pumping Challenges

The program promised "adrenaline-pumping challenges," and boy, did it deliver. As we navigated the course, I felt every single one of the simulated rigorous tests:

• Jeep® Mountain: The ascent up the 13-foot-high, 35-degree hill was a heart-stopper, but the view and the resulting plunge were pure exhilaration.

• Ground Clearance Stair Climb: Watching the vehicle tackle a 5-foot staircase demonstrated incredible ground clearance and traction—it looked like a concrete ladder!

• Extreme Breakover: Navigating the 25-degree uneven plane was a dizzying experience, with the Jeep balancing and flexing as it crested the peak.

• Articulation Wedge: This 30-degree curved element was the best showcase for the Jeep's suspension and flexibility, making me appreciate the engineering that keeps all four tires—or sometimes just three!—doing their job.

• Maneuverability Moguls: The low crawls and suspension tests over the uneven terrain proved that these vehicles offer precise handling even when the "road" disappears.

  
  

  A Roar of Laughter and Happiness

The entire experience was an incredible, roaring rush. I was laughing with pure joy and adrenaline. It was the kind of infectious happiness that makes you want to shout—like a Miami Hurricane fan after a big win over FSU or UF. You get it!

If you're heading to the Miami International Auto Show next year (or any auto show where Camp Jeep is featured), do yourself a favor: ditch the slow lane and get in the passenger seat. You won't just see a Jeep, you'll feel the legendary capability. Thanks, Juliet, for the ride of a lifetime. It was the perfect adventure down on South Beach!