Mystery Jeep in Patent Filing Gets Everyone's Hopes Up

by Steph Willems

Published: May 27th, 2017

mystery jeep in patent filing gets everyone s hopes up

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]

#Crossovers #FutureVehicles #Jeep #JeepGrandWagoneer #Overseas #ProductPlanning #SUVs

Steph Willems

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5 of 28 comments

Garrett on May 28, 2017

No "wood" panels, no care.

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- 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.
  
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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.

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- Lorenzo on May 29, 2017
  
  You may have something there. The old Wagoneer was about the size of the current Grand Cherokee, but its boxy shape made it seem bigger. Just stretch the wheelbase to the 300/Charger length for the third row, and it'll probably sell. A lot of wealthy people probably remember riding in the old "limited" (luxury) Wagoneer when they were kids in the '70s and '80s. The closer it looks to what they remember, the better. Isn't the resemblance to the old jeeps what sells the Wrangler?
  
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- 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
  
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