– Concept Car Grand Wagoneer defines the ultimate premium SUV and expands the Jeep® brand – Wagoneer – firmly rooted in the Jeep brand tradition – launches with a portfolio of vehicles that redefine “American Premium” and offer a unique customer experience – Wagoneer stands for powerful, innovative and authentic SUVs with first-class design and technology for a new, demanding and solvent buyer group – The Wagoneer portfolio goes far beyond the current Jeep model range – Equipped with ultra-premium features and leading technology, the Grand Wagoneer concept car exudes tradition and American craftsmanship – Breathtaking design and the spacious, extremely comfortable interior of the concept car provide a glimpse of the production vehicle – Sustainable materials in the premium interior – Concept Car Grand Wagoneer with advanced electrification for sophisticated performance on – and leading off-road capabilities – Since its debut in 1962, the Jeep Wagoneer developed into the Grand Wagoneer in 1984 with then unprecedented standard equipment in the SUV segment – The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer production models will be built in the Detroit metropolitan area, Michigan, USA, starting next year
The completely redesigned Grand Wagoneer concept car presented today in Detroit1 marks the rebirth of a classic American icon in the premium segment and provides a glimpse of the modern interpretation of this original.
The stunning and sophisticated concept car positions the famous Wagoneer name as a premium extension of the Jeep brand. Wagoneer defines “American Premium” with a unique and unparalleled customer experience.
“Our new Grand Wagoneer concept car marks the first step in the rebirth of the Wagoneer – a true American premium icon,” said Christian Meunier, Global President Jeep Brand – FCA. “With the electrification of each subsequent Jeep model and the reintroduction of the Wagoneer, we are rapidly expanding into new segments and consolidating our premium position.”
"Wagoneer is rooted in the legendary Jeep brand, which has traditionally stood for class-leading capability, authenticity and freedom. With the return of Wagoneer, we are returning to a segment that is even more premium, offering a higher level of design quality and advanced safety and technology features," added Meunier. "While Jeep vehicles bring capability, efficiency and performance to the mainstream SUV market, Wagoneer will feature models that once again define 'American Premium' by setting standards for sophistication, authenticity and modern mobility."
The Grand Wagoneer concept car offers a wide range of leading premium technology – including the electrified powertrain, a sophisticated 4×4 off-road system and, for the first time in an SUV, a passenger screen as part of a selection of upscale interior features.
"More than a quarter of a century ago, the original Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer created a new segment for American customers - the ultimate premium SUV at the time," said Meunier. "The new Grand Wagoneer concept car is our vision of a modern interpretation of this timeless icon and a taste of how we will recreate a premium SUV that will set a milestone."
Introduced in 1962, the Wagoneer was the first four-wheel drive vehicle with an automatic transmission, pioneering the modern SUV. The Grand Wagoneer marked the start of the era of luxury SUVs in 1984, offering customers an unprecedented level of standard equipment such as leather upholstery, air conditioning, a sophisticated stereo system, and reduced engine noise while increasing power and torque.
The elegant and stately front design exudes elegance, class and a premium feel. The new Grand Wagoneer concept car follows this formula.
"The original Grand Wagoneer was the first premium SUV, and its timeless design - combined with the soul of America - earned it a place in many hearts," said Ralph Gilles, Head of Design - FCA. "The Grand Wagoneer concept car is inspired by the original, but with a modern interpretation of luxury and freedom. We wanted to create an elegant design with a timeless silhouette that achieves a solid presence with countless, beautifully designed details."
“The interior of the Grand Wagoneer concept car is spacious and features premium materials that emphasize our team's passion for detail and what American craftsmanship means,” added Gilles. “A fully digital cockpit uses leading technologies to create large and user-friendly screens that provide a pleasant and intuitive operating experience for all passengers - not just the driver - thanks to a limited number of switches.”
With this new concept car, a Grand Wagoneer gets a spacious third row of seats for the first time.
The production versions of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are expected to be in showrooms next year. In reference to the production site in Warren, Michigan, near downtown Detroit, and to the Jeep brand's headquarters, the glass roof of the concept car depicts a map of Detroit and the surrounding area.
When the Grand Wagoneer goes into production next year, customers can expect a whole host of powerful technologies under the elegant design. The three available variants of the 4×4 system with the well-known Quadra-Lift air suspension have independent suspension at the front and rear for great driving dynamics. The Grand Wagoneer also impresses with a high towing capacity, plenty of engine power, leading technologies for safety and connectivity and a new level of comfort and space - all in an astonishing, elegant design.
The Grand Wagoneer concept car redefines how premium an SUV can be - with American craftsmanship and heritage
The exterior design of the Grand Wagoneer concept car is based on the striking Obsidian Black grille with the iconic seven air vents. Each of them is backed by a mesh structure and illuminated by LEDs, creating a complete signature. This row of LEDs forms an elegant contour around the grille and emphasizes the width and the entire front mask of the vehicle.
The SUV itself is bathed in a striking new “Arctic Ice” paint job, and above the grille, illuminated letters form the word “Wagoneer.”
The radiator grille is flanked by bi-LED headlights embedded in real teak. Premium design meets function in the form of an underbody protection painted in obsidian black and a striking tow hook.
The stately and striking profile of the concept car sits on 24-inch multi-spoke aluminum wheels with an obsidian finish and 3D elements below the typical trapezoidal wheel cutouts. Three-piece wheel covers show the Wagoneer logo in acrylic.
Raised aluminum letters with copper accents form the “Grand Wagoneer” lettering in the lower third of both front doors. An American flag in the area of the aluminum letters pays tribute to the home country of the Jeep brand.
LED taillights curve from the rear side panels of the body to the rear of the vehicle, creating a three-dimensional shape that elegantly rounds off the exterior design. A subtle rear diffuser below the electric trunk lid directs the air flow as efficiently as possible, ensuring the best possible aerodynamics.
A whole series of LED lights including headlights, fog lights and tail lights make the Grand Wagoneer concept car shine in any environment.
The elegance of the concept car is evident even before the doors open. The remote control brings the concept car to life by activating the LED lights all around.
A panoramic glass roof makes the interior appear even larger than it already is. In addition, roof rails with four lashing openings flank the glass roof, which are made of teak and a bronze-colored grid structure.
Teak not only looks elegant, but is also extremely durable. While teak was previously seen mainly on yachts and extravagant buildings, today it is the precious wood of choice for designers.
Premium interiors exude nobility and are rich in Grand Wagoneer tradition
The Grand Wagoneer concept car represents the pinnacle of what the interior of a large, premium SUV should look like – with modern American style and fine, meticulously crafted details for upscale travel.
The name says it all - Grand Wagoneer offers a spacious interior for up to seven people thanks to comfortable individual seats in the first and second rows and the three-seater bench seat in the third row, a first in the Grand Wagoneer. Ambient lighting with variable brightness and color creates a cozy atmosphere on board.
As in the original Grand Wagoneer, large windows in the concept car reinforce the airy glasshouse impression. Many of the interior elements go back to the history of the Grand Wagoneer - including the two-spoke steering wheel. The open driver's door reveals the inscription "EST. 1963" on the outside of the instrument panel, a tribute to the first model year of the historic Grand Wagoneer.
A material mix of premium and sustainability
Glass is sustainable, fully recyclable and an abundant raw material. That's why the interior of the Grand Wagoneer concept car uses onyx glass, which runs the length of the entire dashboard area and emphasizes the spaciousness of the interior.
The center console element made of onyx glass appears to be floating above a structural wing made of raw aluminum. The light metal is used extensively in the interior; for example, the loudspeaker panels in the doors, the automatic rotary switch and the area around the air vents are made of aluminum.
The aluminum structure encloses a 3D inlay made of heat-treated pearl wood across the entire width of the dashboard and into the front door panels. From below the aluminum wing structure, the center console extends over the lower panel and gives the interior a flowing design element. An aluminum "Grand Wagoneer" lettering can be found on the passenger side in the 3D pearl wood inlay.
While the historic Grand Wagoneer is famous for its extensive use of wood trim on its exterior, the Grand Wagoneer concept car uses much of the premium heat-treated pearl wood in the interior. It's one of many examples of how the design team is telling the story of the original Grand Wagoneer in a new chapter in a modern way.
Other sustainable interior features include a headliner made from “Dinamica” velor, a fully recyclable microfiber velor. In addition, there are high-quality carpets made of "Thrive" fibers, which consist of materials that have already been recovered. “PUR” - a sustainable plastic - serves as a cover for the seats, the consoles as well as the surfaces of the instrument panel and the door panels.
Lots of technology in the interior, also for the passengers
Almost 114 centimeters of total screen length extend across the width of the dashboard: the driver information display behind the steering wheel measures 31 centimeters, the same size is the touchscreen in the center console, which functions as the main monitor - combined with a horizontally mounted 26-centimeter "comfort" touchscreen below. In addition, a touchscreen of the same size provides information for the front passenger.
The passengers in the second row have a total of 76 centimeters of display at their disposal - including a 26 centimeter "comfort" monitor in the center console between the individual seats. Each passenger in the second row also has their own 26 centimeter infotainment touchscreen.
The interior is full of technology and is characterized by the FCA Group's completely newly developed Uconnect 5 infotainment system, which works five times faster than the previous system. Uconnect 5 is better connected and allows a much higher level of personalization. In addition, the Android-based Uconnect 5 provides access to a wide range of different apps in order to meet the rapidly evolving demand for an improved user experience.
The Grand Wagoneer concept car features the world's only audio system powered by McIntosh - another American luxury brand known for upscale home audio systems that provide the ultimate in movie and music enjoyment. The concept car's McIntosh audio system features 23 custom-designed speakers that create an immersive audio experience via a 24-channel amplifier. The music system's components are finished in aluminum and glossy black, in keeping with the aesthetic design of McIntosh high-end audio systems.
Advanced premium electrical technology
In line with the Jeep brand's electrification plans, the Grand Wagoneer concept car features a plug-in hybrid drive. Jeep will also offer electrified versions of all models in the coming years.
Electrification will modernize the Jeep brand, which aims to be a leader in premium eco-technology. These vehicles will be the most efficient and responsible Jeep models ever built, yet will continue to lead the way in open-air freedom, off-road capability and driving pleasure. Thanks to the greater, more readily available and more controllable torque of the electric motor, they will even achieve better off-road capability than their conventionally powered versions.
History of the Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer
Introduced in 1962, the Wagoneer was the first four-wheel drive vehicle with an automatic transmission and was thus a pioneer of the modern SUV. It was the first SUV with four-wheel off-road capability and at the same time state-of-the-art driving comfort, a stylish exterior and a premium interior. Independent suspension was optional. The first permanent four-wheel drive Quadra-Trac® came onto the market in 1997.
The Grand Wagoneer appeared in 1984 and marked the start of the era of the premium SUV. Its buyers appreciated the unrivalled range of standard equipment such as leather upholstery, air conditioning, a powerful music system, low interior noise thanks to generous insulation and an exterior with a woody look. As the "gold standard of the SUV market", the Grand Wagoneer offered a 5,9-liter V8 with increased power and torque and the highest towing capacity in the segment.
1Concept Car Grand Wagoneer is a concept study. Fuel consumption figures are not available
Disclaimer: This press release was posted today on the FCA North America Media Site (http://media.fcanorthamerica.com) was published. For more information, images and videos of the new Grand Wagoneer Concept, which was introduced today, please visit the Link available. The Grand Wagoneer Concept shown is a concept that is not currently on the market; therefore, images are shown for information purposes only. Product information and estimated time of production vehicle refer to the North American market only.
Press contact:
Markus Hauf
Tel: 069 / 66988 801-
markus.hauf@fcagroup.com
