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tech
Jeep
Trailhawk Concept Vehicle
PRESS RELEASE
January 8, 2007
Jeep® Trailhawk
Concept
- Chrysler Group
Design Spreads its Wings for its Rugged, Iconic Jeep
Brand.
The Jeep® Trailhawk concept
merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core
off-road features of the new body-on-frame four-door Jeep
Wrangler Unlimited with the refined sophistication of an
all-new on-road open-air concept vehicle, providing a unique
and fresh expression for Jeep. Built off the new Wrangler
platform, the Jeep Trailhawk is a more refined highway
cruiser without sacrificing any of Jeep's legendary off-road
capabilities.
"The key to the look of the
Trailhawk," said Nick Vardis, principal exterior designer,
"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."
Vardis said the body side is
muscular and broad-shouldered, with the sheet metal pulled
into shape, much like a drawn arrow in the bow of a skilled
archer. Even the pillars are pulled back. The forward motion
of the body is further accented by the drive of the raising
beltline.
The stance is broad, and the
wheels, pushed to the corners of the vehicle, are enclosed
in robust flares dramatically offset from the body. Partly
trapezoidal in shape, yet not asymmetrical, these angular,
crisply-contoured wheel flares reinterpret one of Jeep's
fundamental design cues.
"The flares are stretched and
pulled taut at one end," Vardis said. "Each presents a 'long
side' angled toward the center of the body."
The body in turn tapers
toward the front in plan view to expose more of the flares
and accent the wide stance. The flares enclose large
22-inch, five-spoke wheels, each with a hefty 34-inch
overall diameter. The specially-crafted tires are accented
by a red stripe, with the red color repeated on the exposed
brake calipers.
The lower body, which kicks
outward along the bottoms of the doors, intersects the
flares crisply. Tucked beneath this horizontal element is a
recessed running board, accented by a silver molding. A tall
trapezoidal vent, located at the front fender-front door cut
line, is home to the circular Trail Rated badge.
The Trailhawk's long hood is
fronted by a signature seven-slot Jeep grille angled
rearward to match the lean-back surface of the forward
flares, with the slots filled with a mesh texture. Bracketed
between the grille and the flares, the chamfered headlamps
mimic the lean-back stance. Beneath their clear flush
lenses, HID projector beam quad lamps nestled into twin
"telescopic" polished aluminum barrels light the way forward
while LEDs, configured in parallel stripes provide park and
turn signals.
"The main headlamp units are
cropped diagonally across the top," said Vardis. "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.
"Like other concepts, we
first viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps
together in the computer" added Vardis. "We immediately
noticed the hawkish expression, hence the name 'Trailhawk.'"
The taillamps mimic the look
of the headlamps, including the striped turn signals, with
the surface of the liftgate carved away.
The vehicle's upper structure
is set onto the lower body, encased by a crisp, chamfered
360-degree molding that runs around the greenhouse,
accenting the high, arching beltline. At the base of the
windshield is a seven-slot cowl screen that reprises the
grille. The body is painted in Argent Pearl high-gloss, with
the flares and lower body a slightly darker low-gloss
variant.
The side windows retract
fully into the body, leaving no B-pillar above the belt,
while the diagonal quarter windows are also fully
retractable. Gray-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 occupants virtually the same open-air
ambience as a typical soft top Jeep. The fixed central spine
contains overhead lighting and several integrated storage
bins.
"The Jeep Trailhawk interior
emphasizes the vehicle's open air-freedom, inviting elements
of the exterior theme into the interior," said Cliff
Wilkins, responsible for the interior design. "Tough
mechanical elements which evoke exterior details are
contrasted with sophisticated materials and finishes to give
a modern, rugged, purposeful interior while delivering a
premium off-road experience."
The four-passenger interior
is dominated by two major design elements-the cross-car
instrument panel (I/P) form and a full-length central spine
which forms the floor console. The AC outlets, center stack
compass/inclinometer, and the dimensional, double-deck
"biplane" gauges are housed in circular casings having the
appearance of machined aluminum, with detailing matching
headlamp surrounds. The two-tone leather-wrapped aluminum
steering wheel features vertical individual switches for
lights and speed control.
Riding the transmission
tunnel, the console's raised walls create a full-length open
bin, handy for the storage of sundry items. Within the
console's side rails, two front/rear combination
armrest/storage bin modules, movable via concealed tracks,
can be positioned fore-aft at the occupants' discretion.
Using the familiar 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 open console's unique
utility is enhanced by the relocation of the transfer case
'Terrain Selector' switch to the center stack of the I/P,"
said Wilkins. "Also, there is the use of an electronic gear
selector/park brake lever mounted to the right side of the
steering column to continue this effect."
Additional storage is
available forward of the drop-open center stack control
module, and in the lower door trim panels.
The driver and three
passengers can relax in individual premium leather seating
in Bark Black and Firewood Orange. The vehicle's 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. Handsome in their rectangular dark gray cases
accented with silver circular speaker bezels, 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."
The utility of the cargo area
is enhanced by a drop-down tailgate featuring integral
concealed storage, four cup holders, and a sliding Load 'N
Go cargo tray with movable partitions that roll rearward for
easy retrieval of stored items.
"One of the most remarkable
things about the interior," concludes Wilkins, "is that it
was designed and surfaced entirely electronically-there were
no traditional sketches or 3-D models. Even so, the interior
turned out just as we had envisioned."
Source:
DaimlerChrysler Media Services.
www.jeep.com |
