As Jeep grows and is expected to bring back the Wagoneer name for the market in two forms, we see a new model offered in China that could be the vehicle that eventually offers us the basis for what the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer will offer when it’s time for those two to enter the market. These new models are expected to be placed above the Grand Cherokee in the Jeep lineup to give us a pair of nearly luxury models that can offer the incredible driving feeling and performance we want when it’s time to fit everyone inside for the drive.
Right now, the major drawback to the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the fact that it only sits five people. While that’s been an acceptable aspect of this SUV because of its ability to handle the trails and off-road challenges we find for the fun we want, Jeep doesn’t have a three-row answer for us to be able to offer seating for up to seven people. Recently a new model was unveiled in China that will give us the basis for the larger SUVs of the future that will fit the entire family inside.
Introducing the Grand Commander
The Chinese arm of Jeep showed us the new Grand Commander at an event recently to give us a look at what they’ve created that could be the future of the Jeep name in North America. This new SUV is based on the Yuntu Concept that was debuted in China only a year ago. When this model was shown off, the seating layout was for six people with two in each row, but the new Grand Commander has increased this to seven people with three across the middle row for the ride that can be made on the road.
This new Grand Commander model is built on a wheelbase that’s nearly nine-feet long and the SUV is being powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine under the hood. This engine is rated at 232 horsepower or upgraded to offer 265 horsepower for tuned up models. With the successful use of a small engine in a large SUV, the Grand Commander brings more for us to admire that might be part of the two Wagoneer models that we might expect to find for the ride we’ll have on the roads and trails in North America in the future.
The team at FCA is working on a luxurious model that could be the model we expect to wear the Jeep name and offer us three rows of seats. It’s likely that larger and more powerful engines will be used because of our expectation that a Jeep model has to be able to head out on the trails and be capable of getting us where we want to go. With the Jeep Grand Commander being offered in China already, it’s easy to see the future for the Wagoneer and realize it may be closer than we previously thought. This will be another return of a classic name that we’ve loved and admired for many years when the Wagoneer pair makes their way back to the market.
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