TTAC Photochop: New Jeep Grand Cherokee

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.

[ For more photochoppistry, go to avarvarii.com]