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January 8, 2007

Jeep Trailhawk concept

Combines tough off-road capability of Jeep Wrangler Unlimited platform with increased style and refinement

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Detroit, Michigan - The Jeep Trailhawk concept merges the core off-road features of the body-on-frame four-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with the sophistication of an on-road open-air concept vehicle, says the company. "Built off the extended wheelbase Wrangler Unlimited platform, the Trailhawk is a more refined highway cruiser that doesn't sacrifice any of Jeep's legendary off-road capabilities."

The name of the vehicle comes from its 'hawkish' expression, said Nick Vardis, principal exterior designer. "The main headlamp units are cropped diagonally across the top...they peer out from an angled brow, giving the vehicle its bold, sinister look. In front view, the left and right lamps evoke the hooded eyes of a bird of prey."

"The key to the look of the Trailhawk," said Vardis "is the vehicle's distinctive proportions, due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase. The dash-to-front-axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated."

Other key styling features are its robust fender flares, large 22-inch diameter five-spoke wheels with a hefty 34-inch overall tire diameter, and side windows that retract fully into the body, leaving no B-pillar above the belt. Grey-tinted twin longitudinal glass panels over the first- and second-row seats and the glass panel over the cargo compartment are removable, as is the swing-up backlight. With all the glass lowered and removed, the Trailhawk offers virtually the same open-air ambience as a typical soft top Jeep. A fixed central spine contains overhead lighting and several integrated storage bins.

The Trailhawk's four-passenger interior has a central compass/inclinometer, and double-deck "biplane" gauges housed in circular casings that have the appearance of machined aluminum. Its two-tone leather-wrapped aluminum steering wheel features vertical individual switches for lights and cruise control. The centre console's raised walls create a full-length open bin. Within the console's side rails, two front/rear combination armrest/storage bin modules, movable via concealed tracks, can be positioned either in front or at the rear. Using the touchpad technology of laptop computers, a flip-out pad for the remote control fold-away flat screen navigation unit is housed in the forward armrest.

The floor is a durable spray-finish with integrated non-slip heel pads, practical for all-weather use. In the cargo area, each quarter panel houses a removable, portable "audio pod" sound system and each pod is fitted with a dock for an MP3 player. For carrying of first aid or road hazard gear, jerry-can style boxes in easy-to-find Firewood Orange are mounted forward of the speaker pods.

At the rear, a drop-down tailgate features concealed storage, four cupholders, and a sliding Load 'N Go cargo tray with movable partitions that roll rearward for easy loading and unloading.

The Trailhawk concept features a 3.0-litre common rail diesel engine with new Bluetec technology for reduced emissions, four-wheel drive, and a five-speed automatic transmission. Jeep says the Trailhawk will do 0 - 60 mph in 9.0 seconds and has a range of 480 kilometres.

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