Mystery Jeep in Patent Filing Gets Everyone's Hopes Up

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles isn’t talking about future products, so all we’re left with is some drawings from a design patent and an undecided jury. Still, the images are intriguing, as they show a seven-seat utility vehicle a vaguely familiar face.

Jeep’s mystery vehicle could be one of two planned models, one of which could make FCA big bucks in the United States. At least, once it figures out how to build the thing.

The patent, filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office and discovered by AutoGuide, looks like a potential next-generation Grand Cherokee. However, there’s a problem. The Grand Cherokee will remain a two-row SUV when it debuts in either 2018 or 2019, but the vehicle in the images clearly has space for three rows.

Could the vehicle in the images be the company’s planned Grand Wagoneer? It’s possible, as the front fascia appears somewhat similar to that of a Wagoneer we’ve seen teased in the past, with some key differences. It certainly looks like a stretched Grand Cherokee, which was FCA’s original plan for the model — at least until recently. In January, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne claimed the upcoming range-topper would adopt body-on-frame architecture.

If that’s truly the case, the Grand Wagoneer will likely borrow the frame of the next-generation Ram 1500.

The vehicle in the patent filing certainly looks like a unibody model, which leads to the more likely possibility it’s an overseas model we’ll never see. Jeep plans to market a production version of the Yunta seven-seat crossover concept in China.

Right now, FCA’s main goal is keeping the tight schedule of the next-generation Jeep Wrangler and Ram 1500, both of which will start production within the next near. Luxury can wait.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

More by Steph Willems

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 28 comments
  • Garrett Garrett on May 28, 2017

    No "wood" panels, no care.

    • Lorenzo Lorenzo on May 29, 2017

      Aw, the "wood panels" on the old Wagoneer were vinyl decals anyway. Some dealer or aftermarket company could make a killing by designing decals for those who want the look, and offering installation.

  • SuperCarEnthusiast SuperCarEnthusiast on May 28, 2017

    Personally, I like to see the design go back to a more boxy look instead of the trend towards sleeker and more minivan like.

    • See 1 previous
    • ToddAtlasF1 ToddAtlasF1 on May 29, 2017

      @Lorenzo IIRC, part of the pitch for the XJ Cherokee was that it had almost as much interior room as a Grand Wagoneer. Having folded into the back seat of Grand Wagoneer when they were new and I was a skinny six foot tall teenager, I'd say that was true. Found the stats - XJ had 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat folded. The SJ had 74.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat folded. It's worth noting that the SJ was a cramped two-row SUV, not a 7-passenger anything. http://www.allpar.com/amc/1987-1989-jeep.html

  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
Next