In Romania, “Jeep” is a synonym for an off-road vehicle. This says a lot about Jeep’s “blue sky” value– which is just as well, given Chrysler’s imminent demise/dismemberment. And though we hear that ChryCo’s stopped all new car development work, surely that doesn’t include the Jeep Grand Cherokee? We’ll see no later than 2010, if and when a new Jeep Grand Cherokee debuts, complete with a lighter unibody construction and a fuel-efficient V6. My best guess: the JGC will follow the lines of the Trailhawk concept that teased Jeep fans in 2007. Obviously, most of those lines will be “touched” in the conversion for production process. If you’d like to check out my methodology for this chop, make the jump. If not, enjoy the icon while you can.
To determine what and how will be changed I used the following pseudo-scientific approach. First, I deployed the NCT=NCT (Not Cool Today = Not Cool in Twenty-Ten) method. I dismissed the huge wheel-arches, clear-glass rear lights and the side-vents (those are uncool since the Aveo got its piercings). Second, I applied the UFP (UnFit for Production (Costs) filter. That took care of the ridiculously tiny mirrors, the fancy multi-part glass-roof thing and of the frameless doors. In this stage I’ve also reworked the proportions to something that ensures more interior room and diminishes the squished-from-the-top look.
I didn’t change the fascia (much). That looks both right and production-fit. The 22” wheels were OK in design, but I shaved a couple of inches off. If you get the feel that this car is somehow compact, keep in mind that it wears 305/85 R20. For my little personal touch I added a no gloss paint that seems better fitted for the Jeep identity.
This is one of your better chops, Andrei. I also like the detailed description of what you did, and the thought process that went into it.
In Romania, “Jeep” is a synonym for an off-road vehicle.
In most of Europe, really. My friend from Luxembourg calls his Subaru Forrester a “Jeep”.
The tires on the car pictured are indeed humongous…not so good for fuel economy. But I like the rest: an evolution on the Grand cherokee, much better looking than the new Liberty or wrangler, which both look too much like toys.
The next gen Durango is reported to be based off the GC and built in the same factory in Detroit since Newark, DE is closing. As to “And though we hear that ChryCo’s stopped all new car development work”… from Allpar.com comes this: “Two separate sources have now written in to say that the Phoenix V6 engine series (which could eventually yield four and eight cylinder engines as well) is alive and well. One source wrote: “The Phoenix engine engineering and manufacturing teams remain highly active, putting in long days and managing 24 hr development and validation testing, progressing towards the goal of volume production launch in the not-too-distant future. The team is well aware of all the recent scuttle rumoring the idling or demise of Phoenix, but to date the brakes have not been applied.”
If they’re still developing the engine then they must be developing something to put it in.
In Newfoundland I’ve noticed some people call all SUVs Jeeps (after much confusion).
My buddy said he might get a Jeep, so I asked what kind? He said a small one, so I thought he meant a Wrangler. So I went on to say that they’re great off road, and driving around without the top can be fun.
He looked at me like I was an idiot and said “I was thinking a honda or a toyota”.
Fittingly enough, GM once had this “problem” with refrigerators.
People all called their ‘fridges “Fridgidaires”.
I’m not trying to imply GM builds appliances for cars (and bad ones at that). I’m sayin’ it.
Nice design… I see a strong resemblance to the Q7.
Why are we looking at “next gen” anything from Chrysler? Will there be a “next gen”?
What thalter. Nice work, Andrei. I like hearing about the process.
There’s always a process behind my renderings. I’m glad to here you’re interested in it. I’ll make the whole thing more transparent.