TOKYO: The upcoming Grand Wagoneer will allow Jeep to duke it out with the Germans in the luxury SUV segment. With a full-sized three-row seat layout, the Grand Wagoneer will take aim at the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class and upcoming Audi Q9 and BMW X7, with a launch date sometime in 2018.
Speaking to UK mag Auto Express at the Geneva Motor Show, Jeep CEO Mike Manley said a European release for the mammoth SUV was a certainty but made no mention of a RHD version.
The “Grand Wagoneer” – the project’s internal nickname at Jeep – will also sell in North America with a pricetag in excess of US$45,000. In the USA the Grand Cherokee range starts at $29,995, while the V8-powered SRT retails for US$64,595.
Auto Express also postulates that the Grand Wagoneer will share much of its platform and mechanicals with the Maserati Levante luxury SUV, opening up powertrain sharing possibilities that could see the Jeep outfitted with anything from a 3.0 litre turbo diesel to a twin-turbo 3.8 litre petrol V8.
Manley also mentioned that an all-new small SUV will break cover next year, replacing the Compass and Patriot duo.
To slot between the incoming Jeep Renegade and the already-established Cherokee, the as-yet unnamed new model will be offered in 2WD and 4WD configuration and compete with the Nissan Qashqai, Hyundai ix35 and Mitsubishi ASX.
