Jeep unveils long-awaited Grand Wagoneer SUV topping $111,000

DETROIT – Jeep’s long-awaited Grand Wagoneer SUV will push the quintessential off-road model additional into luxurious automobiles with a totally loaded mannequin topping $111,000 when it goes on sale later this yr.

The brand new three-row SUV will check whether or not Jeep can develop its product vary into the profitable luxurious SUV section and appeal to new prospects from the likes of the Cadillac, Lincoln and Land Rover. Jeep has grown its mainstream SUVs right into a full lineup of automobiles lately amid an inflow of latest rivals.

The Grand Wagoneer would be the premium sibling to a inexpensive SUV referred to as the Wagoneer, which can begin at $57,995. Each automobiles are the identical measurement, however the Grand Wagoneer – beginning at $86,995 – includes a barely totally different exterior design, a extra highly effective engine and unique facilities inside. Each automobiles are scheduled to be unveiled on-line Thursday.

“Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are born from Jeep, however their character is totally different than the remainder of the model,” Jeep CEO Christian Meunier stated throughout a media briefing forward of the disclosing. “They’re fashionable and forward-looking. There’s a pure DNA we’re constructing on to make these merchandise completely distinctive.”

Whereas the skin of the Grand Wagoneer is unmistakably a Jeep, the inside of the SUV could look unrecognizable to present homeowners. It has as much as 75 inches of screens, together with an obtainable 10.25-inch touchscreen in entrance of the passenger that may stream movies and Amazon’s Fireplace TV and management sure capabilities akin to navigation and exterior cameras.

The car’s inside additionally options premium supplies akin to Satin American Walnut wooden, aluminum and Nappa or Palermo leather-trimmed, 24-way energy seats.

“You possibly can take this Grand Wagoneer inside up in opposition to something within the market,” Jim Morrison, head of Jeep’s North American operations. “I am not simply saying any SUVs, you possibly can take this up in opposition to something within the market.”

General, the Wagoneer has fewer customary options and premium supplies in contrast with the Grand Wagoneer. For instance, the inexpensive Wagoneer options as much as 50 inches of screens in contrast with 75 inches. Among the screens are smaller and it doesn’t provide touchscreens for consolation settings. Amazon Fireplace TV is accessible in each in addition to a passenger touchscreen, which is blocked from the sight of the driving force by a filter.

Jeep stated each Wagoneer fashions will ultimately provide a hands-free driver help system on “accepted roadways,” nonetheless a spokesman declined to supply extra particulars. The automobiles will launch with a driver-assist system that may be capable to management the car’s velocity, braking and spacing between different automobiles, however drivers might want to maintain their palms on the wheel.

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are anticipated to reach in dealerships within the second half of 2021, together with a top-end mannequin Grand Wagoneer Sequence III that begins at $103,995. Jeep is taking $500 refundable deposits for each automobiles by Jeep’s web site beginning Thursday.

Jeep sellers should be licensed to promote the fashions. Certification consists of coaching and an undisclosed funding. They need to fulfill 10 “guarantees” for Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer homeowners that vary from free Wi-fi and automotive washes upon service visits to a “high-tech and environment friendly gross sales and repair expertise.” The automaker additionally will provide 24-hour buyer help for homeowners.

“Buyer satisfaction with each the product and the way they’re handled all through all the buy course of is paramount to all the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer expertise,” Meunier stated.

The Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer names have been beforehand utilized by Jeep for big SUVs from 1963 till 1991. The corporate had promised to resurrect the Wagoneer title for almost a decade as a approach to higher compete within the extremely worthwhile giant SUV section.

The seven- or eight-passenger automobiles are largely based mostly on an idea model of the car that the corporate unveiled final yr. The idea featured comparable design parts in addition to a lot of the inside’s options and screens. Notable lacking parts from the idea embody an illuminated grille, full glass roof and plug-in hybrid gasoline-electric engine.

Jeep has introduced all of its new fashions will provide some type of electrification, such because the plug-in hybrid system, nonetheless executives declined to touch upon the choice powertrains for the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer. Meunier stated the model “has a plan for electrification.”

Jeep’s new dad or mum firm, Stellantis – the product of a $52 billion merger between automakers Fiat Chrysler and Groupe PSA –  plans to supply an array of all-electric or hybrid automobiles by 2025.

The Wagoneer comes customary with a light hybrid 5.7-liter V-Eight with 392 horsepower and 404 foot-pounds of torque. The Grand Wagoneer is customary with the 6.4-liter V-Eight engine with 471 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque. Every engine is paired with an eight-speed automated transmission.

The hybrid engine includes a 48-volt battery pack to offer higher gas economic system and faster acceleration in addition to different advantages.

Jeep didn’t launch gas economic system estimates for the automobiles.