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Will history repeat itself? Will the WL be a boxy design again?

20K views 45 replies 27 participants last post by  canis 
#1 ·
Just thinking back on previous GC models.

ZJ - Boxy design

WJ - "Bubble butt" rounded design

WK - Boxy design

WK2 - Rounded design

WL - ????

Not sure if it will be boxy again with the latest legislation for bumper impact and fuel economy requirements. Will be interesting to see what the WL looks like. My guess is that the rounded design will continue but would love to see a more aggressive GC.
 
#3 ·
I envision the next gen JGC to take a lot of design hints from the current design. I doubt things will be a lot more "aggressive" because of the market for this vehicle. The current design has some nice "edge" but going to radical might not work. They took a lot of "stuff" over the somewhat "radical" re-design of the Cherokee and hopefully more of the "spirit" of the JGC will stay in place for the WL for MY19.
 
#6 ·
The same one that's been used since MY11...as well as the Merc ML350. The "WL" will be on a different FCA platform when it's introduced for the 2019 Model Year.
 
#9 ·
So it's officially moving over to a 'Crossover' platform? And sorry detractors, the current MB W166 platform IS NOT a crossover just because it is a uni-body with IFS/IRS. The platform was never shared with a car, ergo not a 'crossover'.
 
#12 ·
There is no universally accepted definition. Auto trader claims anything that is Uni-body is a crossover, including the JGC. They feel a car type chassis, whether or not a coupe or sedan ever graced its structure is a crossover.

I think it is best to give credence to what the Bard said many years ago:

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet"

--
 
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#10 ·
I don't think we can make an assumption like that at this point, VMX. "Platform" has a lot of connotations in the auto industry. Even the term "crossover" is evolving in some respects. That said, hopefully the next gen JGC will retain all the capability it's known for regardless of how they build it.
 
#13 ·
When it comes to SUV's (truck platform) changing over to a Crossover (car platform) & the manufacturer still tries to claim it's an "SUV" when it's really an evolved wagon posing as an "SUV" (meaning the implied "off-road" ability is basically decimated, for the most part)...I've got the perfect example...

...I give you the new Ford Explorer!

Land vehicle Vehicle Car Ford explorer Sport utility vehicle
Land vehicle Vehicle Car Automotive tire Tire


Sorry...but I don't consider Road Yachts to be "SUV's" unless they have the credentials (abilities) to back up that claim.

IMHO...the new Explorer sucks, they ruined it...they took away it's individual personality & just pinned the badge/name on a wagon version of the Taurus. The new Everest SUV sold overseas is more deserving of the Explorer name...hence, we were robbed here in the states & given a Crossover as a pacifier. ?

If FCA ever decides to do the same to the JGC, it will be the same result.

Just my .02



Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
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#22 · (Edited)
I was wondering why/who added the "WK3" to the section title myself..."WK2" isn't really an official designation for the current generation platform.
 
#24 ·
Just thinking back on previous GC models.

ZJ - Boxy design

WJ - "Bubble butt" rounded design

WK - Boxy design

WK2 - Rounded design

WL - ????

Not sure if it will be boxy again with the latest legislation for bumper impact and fuel economy requirements. Will be interesting to see what the WL looks like. My guess is that the rounded design will continue but would love to see a more aggressive GC.
I wouldn't call any of these generations rounded or boxy. They're all middle-of-the-road, with some generations leaning slightly one way or the other. If you want boxy (in recent history), you need to look at the Commander or maybe even the KK Liberty. Those were far more boxy than any Grand Cherokee.
 
#28 ·
Am I the only one that hopes it'll look similar to the WK2 so I don't feel like my WK2 is irrelevant?
 
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#29 ·
I'd love to see a more aggressive look! we are looking for a new SUV, but keep going back to our 14 summit, and even considering buying a second one, but I'd like something with that boxy look, more aggressive!

even if it's just some design changes I hope they move towards a more aggressive look instead of the other way
 
#30 ·
I'm excited to see what it will look like.... I'm on my 5 grand... I pic and choose the ones I love and hold on to them till I fall in love again. There have only been a couple that I absolutely hated ... and its usually the head lights.... like the bizarre round WK head lamps and the 14-16 WK2 mismatched grill thing they had going on.
 
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#35 ·
It's only of academic interest to me since I'll be keeping my 14 for a long time but if the looks of the current cherokee and the other one are any indication it's going to be ugly. Most likely it will move more toward the "japanese look" with the silly headlights and taillights that are getting more and more common. On the headlights I expect they will go narrower which will IMHO give horrible proportions to the front end.
 
#37 ·
Normally the flagship sets the design for the rest of the models and gets it first. Everything trickles down later. So I do believe the new Compass/Cherokee isn’t anywhere near what the next gc will look like.
 
#38 ·
They gave a us a sneak peak from the las vegas mockups. The shape and design will not change much
..but the details will...ie. facias, grilles, lights etc.
 
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