Does the world want one other Jeep?
With gross sales stalling in Australia, is one other Jeep the reply for the off-road big that introduced us legends just like the CJ5, Wrangler, Cherokee and Gladiator?
The web is abounding with rumours that Jeep’s Shortcut idea might really go into manufacturing.
The Shortcut is in impact a two-door, shortened and lightened Wrangler that harkens again on to the corporate’s founding ethos of utilitarian, no-frills but thrilling off-road capabilities.
Jeep says the Shortcut has all the things you want and nothing you don’t. In order that interprets to a car with no doorways, no again seat and no spare tyre, powered by a V6 in entrance of an automated transmission, all sitting on Dana 40 axle assemblies.
However it’s not simply smaller and lighter, it’s aimed toward being extra succesful, but most significantly, extra reasonably priced. With the Shortcut, Jeep actually has lower some corners to make that occur!
Initially an idea car at Easter Jeep Safari 2016 at Moab within the US, Jeep introduced this again to the identical occasion in 2024, tantalising Jeep followers and aficionados that it is a signal heralding a brand new age for Jeep and presumably a brand new funds off-roader.
Beginning life as a two-door JK Wrangler, the Shortcut is sort of 32cm shorter and boasts a singular grille design up entrance. It has significantly improved strategy and departure angles and as a short-wheelbase mannequin it presents a superb ramp over angle.
The chassis has been shortened; the bathtub, fenders and physique, whereas recognisably Jeep, are all customised from manufacturing facility; and the gasoline filler has been moved from the rear fender to the within of the bathtub.
Nathan and Tommy from The Quick Lane Automotive stated Jeep is famend for utilizing the Easter Jeep Safari as a teaser of latest fashions and the very fact this idea has been seen in each the 2016 and 2024 Safaris offers us a really robust indication that Jeep is severely contemplating placing this into manufacturing as a way more reasonably priced, smaller and extra succesful Jeep.
They went on to say that “that is the tiny, low-cost Jeep we’ve all been ready for”.
The Shortcut weighs in at round 410kg lower than a regular two-door Wrangler. The inside follows the general idea of being very simple with no fancy dials, shows, buttons or screens and the utilitarian look is according to the theme of a bare-bones, light-weight, stripped-down and cheap open-top Wrangler.
The idea is powered by the usual Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine. It’s a comparatively small, light-weight and cheap engine that has labored properly for various Jeep fashions because it’s inception in various MY11 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep autos.
As a shortened car, it additionally has a shortened exhaust which appears to hit the candy spot for resonance with lovers saying it has fairly a singular growl, making the lazy 3.6 sound a little bit extra full of life. And it could really feel a little bit full of life too, contemplating the burden financial savings this car presents.
From the single-hoop roll bar to the old-school small aspect mirrors, each ingredient of the Shortcut is all about saving weight.
Hypothesis although on whether or not it really might go into manufacturing centres round its want for airbags and a few kind of doorways to make sure that it does meet present, and even anticipated, security requirements, of which it at the moment doesn’t.
Additional hypothesis quoted potential workable costs of round US$30-40,000 (~A$44,000-60,000). For context, the Wrangler vary opens within the US at US$31,995 (~A$48,000).
Ben Davidson, one in every of Australia’s main Jeep lovers and the proprietor/editor of Jeep Motion Journal (the one devoted Jeep journal on the earth nonetheless in print), took a extra conservative view.
“This 2016 JK Wrangler idea attracts inspiration from the traditional Fifties CJ5, evident in it’s design cues and rugged construct,” he stated.
“The mix of recent options with the timeless essence of the CJ5 creates a standout car that embodies the ethos of ‘much less is extra’ capturing the guts of Jeep’s iconic heritage in a compact and sturdy bundle.”
However Mr Davidson went on to say that whereas an idea just like the Shortcut will usually generate pleasure, manufacturing feasibility depends upon numerous components corresponding to market demand, manufacturing prices and regulatory necessities.
If there’s important curiosity and it aligns with Jeep’s strategic objectives, there’s an opportunity it might go into manufacturing. Nevertheless, whether or not it could be out there in Australia would rely on Jeep’s distribution plans and the demand for such a car within the Australian market.
Shod in 35-inch tyres, the Shortcut might simply be an reasonably priced base degree off-road revitalisation for Jeep and an entry-level car for brand spanking new lovers.
Is it actually a brand new car we are going to see from the off-road legend? We don’t know, however it does get our vote for being an fanatic’s dream and a much more acceptable off-road providing than the majority of the over-complicated vary of latest autos we at the moment see in the marketplace.
What do you suppose, ought to Jeep give it a go? Is it one thing that might assist to revitalise the Jeep model and its gross sales figures?
