Jeep "Dakar" designers made room for rear doors by stretching this prototype's wheelbase to 108.5 inches, almost 15 inches longer than the Wrangler. The drivetrain featured a four-speed automatic transmission behind the 4.0 liter inline six: pushrod 12-valve 6-in-line, iron block and head, Chrysler JTEC engine-control system with port fuel injection. It also had a new windshield, side glass, and steel roof with built-in tubular roof rack and sliding canvas sunroof.
The interior was trimmed in wood and leather. Other features on the Dakar included a folding shovel in the front fender, jerrycans on the tailgate, and an adventure module inside the rear door with a night vision scope, binoculars, flashlight and compass. Experience with this concept vehicle was used in the development of the Liberty SUV which hit the market four years later.
The Jeep "Commander" runs on electric power, but the fuel cell "powertrain" is not functional. DaimlerChrysler plans to have a working methanol, hybrid fuel cell system in the Commander by the end of 1999.
This concept marries the industry's most advanced powertrain with one of the fastest growing market segments. With fuel cell technology under the hood, this vehicle takes Jeep's pledge to 'Tread Lightly!' on the environment very seriously.
Jeep designers look to this combination as being the best of on and off road options. Though the sills of the Commander hang down roughly 2 inches lower than the newest '99 Grand Cherokee, its ability to raise the suspension up four inches - on a need by need basis, expressly for off-road four wheeling, makes up for the lower setup.
For years, there has been speculation and even sightings of test mules for a much-rumored, and much-anticipated Jeep Wrangler (TJ) called the "Rubicon."
Set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show the first week of January, news of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler "Rubicon" leaked out early due to one of the print magazines going to press before the expected time. The photo and story were not due to hit the news stands until the week of the show. However, the magazine hit homes a bit early and now the cat is out of the bag!
Jeep says that the Wrangler Rubicon will begin production in the summer of 2002 as a 2003 model and we can expect to see them at dealers in early Fall.
So what is it? Here's the official word from Jeep on the features you can expect on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon:
Dana 44 front and rear axle
Each axle will be fitted with air-actuated lockers manufactured by Tochigi Fuji Sanjyo
31 inch Goodyear MT/R tires
Four wheel disc brakes
NVG2410R transfer case with 4.0:1 low range gear ratio 4.10 differential gears
Final crawl ratio of 65.92
Diamond-plate rocker panel gaurds
"Pure American"
The back-to-basics, composite-bodied Jeep "Willys" concept vehicle pays homage to Jeep vehicles of the past while showcasing the design and technology of the 21st century.
The Jeep Willys is powered by DaimlerChrysler's 1.6-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine that has been supercharged to deliver 160 horsepower (120 kW) and 155 lb.-ft. of torque (210 Nom). Its four-speed automatic transmission is coupled with a shift-on-the-fly transfer case with full-time four-wheel drive and low-range modes.
Custom, independent short-and-long-arm front and multi-link solid rear axle suspension with coil-over-shock set-up and sizeable 22-inch wheels with P235/840R560 PAX tires embraces the "go anywhere" attitude synonymous with the Jeep brand.
Estimated performance figures include a sprint to 60 mph. (97 kph) in 10.2 seconds and a top speed of almost 90 mph. (140 kph).
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