Bronco from the Ford stables seems to have picked up company on its time travel. Jeep is reviving its premium sub-brand from last century with its classic styling and cowboy name: Grand Wagoneer. Detroit, the ‘urbs mater’ will witness the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer being built next year.
‘Ultimate Premium SUV’ redefined with new Grand Wagoneer concept
The weekend began with the announcement of the return of the Grand Wagoneer – an all-new Grand Wagoneer Concept to be precise. It marks the rebirth of a classic and premium American icon, providing a glimpse of what the modern expression of the original, ultimate, premium SUV can be. Jeep’s definition of the Grand Wagoneer Concept is like a guideline to itself : ‘a modern expression of the original, ultimate, premium SUV’. In other words, a high-end Jeep. Rooted in Jeep® brand heritage, Wagoneer will become a portfolio of vehicles that represent “American Premium” and and is shaped by American craftsmanship and heritage.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the stall manager for Jeep is clear about who is the brand for. The revived brand will deliver capable, innovative, authentic vehicles with premium design cues and technology to a new, distinctive and more affluent array of customers – clearly those beyond the Jeep horizon. Those with a heart for adventure but those who are less crazy, more laidback and more… err… grand.
Grand Wagoneer Concept includes an advanced electric-vehicle powertrain, hinting at sophisticated but fun on- and off-road performance, leading 4×4 capability and a zero-emission, near-silent driving experience. It also boasts upscale interior features like the first-ever passenger screen in an SUV. This will be first time the Grand Wagoneer nameplate features a spacious third row.
“The Grand Wagoneer Concept is inspired by the original, but with a modern interpretation of luxury and freedom,” said Ralph Gilles, head of design – FCA.“We strived to create an elegant design with a timeless silhouette, featuring countless beautifully crafted details that come together to give it an undeniable presence. “The Grand Wagoneer Concept’s interior is spacious and features premium materials…” Gilles added. “A full digital cockpit takes advantage of leading technologies that are beautifully presented with expansive and easy-to-use screens and limited buttons.”
Advanced electric-vehicle technology and capability
While Jeep is surefootedly moving to electrification on all models, the Grand Wagoneer Concept features a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain system.With greater torque and immediate engine response, these electric vehicles will offer an even more fun-to-drive experience on the road and more capability than ever off the road.
The production version of the Grand Wagoneer will boast class-leading capability courtesy of three available 4×4 systems and the renowned Quadra-Lift air suspension, premium driving dynamics with an independent front and rear suspension, unmatched towing capability, powerful performance, advanced technology, safety and connectivity, a new level of comfort and best-in-class overall passenger volume.
Design, premium cool
The stunning, ultra-premium exterior of the Grand Wagoneer concept, featuring modern-yet-familiar touch points and Obsidian Black accents throughout, creates a new timeless design. The exterior is anchored by a prominent Obsidian Black-accented grille featuring the Jeep brand’s iconic seven slots. Each slot features intricate lightweight latticework, while the space above and between each of the seven slots is lit to create a signature LED design. This LED pattern forms an elegant outline to the grille, helping to emphasize the width and overall front fascia of the vehicle. On either side of the grille sits twin bi-functional LED projector headlamps that are cradled by genuine teak wood. The SUV itself is fully dipped in a stunning new Arctic Ice exterior paint, and directly above the grille sits raised illuminated letters spelling out the word Wagoneer in custom-created font. Raised aluminum letters with copper-side accents spell out “Grand Wagoneer” on either front door too, flanked by an American flag. The Grand Wagoneer Concept SUV stands tall on 24-inch, multi-spoke, Obsidian-finished aluminum wheels.
The full suite of exterior LED lights, including premium LED headlamps, fog lamps and taillamps subtly engage with a full “welcome” sequence upon remote activation. A full-pane glass roof visually expands the vehicle’s interior space and admits natural light to all occupants. The details are filled by teak wood, bronze latticework and more underlining the premium quality.
Interiors of wood and glass
The grand interior is for up to seven passengers with captain’s chairs in the first two rows, as well as a new third row. The relaxed atmosphere of the interior — accentuated by the use of customizable ambient lighting, both in color and intensity — offers a liberating feeling of tranquility for everyone on board.The large glass windows that offer greenhouse-like views is a feature that continues from the original Grand Wagoneer. So is the two-spoke steering wheel.
The Grand Wagoneer characteristically uses sustainable materials within its premium interior.
While the original Grand Wagoneer famously featured an extensive use of wood on its exterior, the Grand Wagoneer Concept houses a vast amount of genuine heat-treated lacewood along its interior. This is one of the many examples of how the design team was able to retell a new chapter of the original Grand Wagoneer story in a modern way. An onyx glass mid-bolster runs the length of the instrument panel and gracefully accents the spaciousness of the interior. Sustainable interior appointments include a full suede headliner made of Dinamica — a fully recyclable premium microfiber suede — as well as premium carpets made from Thrive fiber, which has recycled content and PUR, a sustainable synthetic material for all the upholstery.
A technology-rich interior with screens galore
Nearly 45 inches of total screen span the length of the instrument panel: a 12.3-inch driver information display behind the steering wheel, a 12.1-inch horizontal touchscreen serves as the main display screen in the center console, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen below, separated by the structural aluminum wing that controls the seats and the four-zone climate control. In a first of its kind innovation, a 10.25-inch touch screen provides the front passenger with an entertainment screen of their own.Screens seem to be a statement in this cabin. A 10.1-inch comfort display screen is housed on the center console located between the two captain’s chairs for the second row. Further, each second-row passenger has access to their own 10.1-inch entertainment touchscreen.
FCA’s all-new Uconnect 5 system that is five times faster than the previous generation powers the multimedia connectivity. Additionally, Uconnect 5’s Android operating system brings access to a broad catalog of applications for an improved user experience.
In a special move, Grand Wagoneer Concept has teamed up with McIntosh – another classic American luxury brand known for offering distinguished home audio systems. 23 custom-designed speakers connected to a 24-channel amplifier provides an immersive audio experience.
The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer is still a concept and will resurface in Warren, Michigan, near downtown Detroit sometime next year. As a nod to its manufacturing home and the brand’s headquarters, the Concept’s full-pane glass roof houses a map showcasing Detroit and the surrounding area – iconic!
