Posted on Thursday 28 December 2006
Jeep’s headline display at the Detroit Auto Show will be the Trailhawk concept, a SUV that’s supposed to be at home both on and off the road. The design is a mish-mash of previous Jeep concepts and other SUVs, but the Trailhawk does have a few redeeming qualities. Firstly, there’s the innovative roof system, which is made up of two glass panels directly above the driver and passenger. A third glass is located above the rear passengers, and all three are removable for open-air cruising. The concept rides on a 116-inch wheelbase and comes with massive 22” wheels. Power comes courtesy of a 3.0L BLUETEC diesel engine from Mercedes that develops 215hp and 376 ft-lbs. of torque.
The side windows retract fully into the body, leaving no B-pillar above the belt, while the diagonal quarter windows are also fully retractable. The four-passenger interior is dominated by two major design elements -the cross-car instrument panel and a full-length central spine which forms the floor console. The AC outlets, center stack compass/inclinometer, and the dimensional, double-deck “biplane” gauges are housed in circular casings having the appearance of machined aluminum, with detailing matching headlamp surrounds.
Click ahead for a full gallery.
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This is one of the nicest concepts I have seen in a while. It definitely looks upscale and rugged at the same time. The side vents, between the front fenders and the door, and the low roof are great touches. And when viewed from the front, it looks very menacing.
Motor Trend is reporting that is a production ready vehicle. Thus, is this a Grand Cherokee replacement or a new upscale Range Rover fighter model?
Hopefully it goes into production, minus the T-tops.