CONFIRMED: FCA’s Jeep Division Is Going To Build Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer Models

Turns out we were onto something. The Wagoneer is back, officially. Making an appearance after 2019 will be super luxurious Jeeps. 

As of now, however, details are quite slim. 

According to Jeep’s head honcho, Mike Manley, both nameplates will be luxury vehicles but aside from that we don’t know if that means it will be a five seater, seven seater, for tarmac use only or will be off-road capable. 

Given the company’s history, product portfolio and market desires, we’re thinking that Jeep will build an off-road, luxury SUV that fits seven and can give the likes of the Audi Q7, Land Rover Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS and upcoming BMW X7 a run for their money. 

"The Wagoneer name represents, historically, the pinnacle of premium for the Jeep world," he said. "But in the same way as you may have an Overland and a Summit, you have different trim levels. So you could imagine the use of Wagoneer to denote a really premium vehicle, and Grand Wagoneer takes it to the very next level. If you were to use that as your naming strategy, that's exactly how I would use the trims." 

jeffgall - 7/7/2016 6:10:59 AM

+2 Boost

Not having a larger than the GC, Seven seat option has kept me away (and I would imagine a lot of families) from the Jeep name. What is taking so long Jeep? Every competitor in this space figured this out over a decade ago.

MDarringer - 7/7/2016 8:14:01 AM

+1 Boost

Now now Jeff, Sergio is busy fleecing Jeep to make Alfa Romeos that no one wants, so you'll have to be patient.

I think the Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer is all vapor and BS to make it seem like something is happening at FCA.

So far these are the new models Sergio has promised for 2019: Stelvio, Journey, Challenger, Barracuda, Grand Cherokee, Cherokee redo, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer and if I'm not mistaken a new Ram.

FCA will probably not exist by 2019. Alfa/Fiat/Maserati will be back to being Fiat. Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram will have been sold off and Dodge and Chrysler will be history.

Because pulling a 3 row Jeep off the GC could have been done for pennies on the dollar, it just shows how little money FCA has for product development.

nguyenvuminh - 7/7/2016 12:10:31 PM

+2 Boost

Make those with Hellcats version and FCA will sell millions of them, millions I say :-) I can just see it now, Jeeps flying off mountainsides like bats out of cave.

MorePower - 7/7/2016 6:17:56 PM

+2 Boost

Right!!!

Because $50,000 vehicles are flying out of showrooms.

dumpsty - 7/7/2016 1:43:07 PM

+2 Boost

Well finally!!!!

They should have been making larger Jeeps since Chrysler was selling the 2nd-gen Durango & Aspen SUVs. Basically a no-brainer decision that took them 10 years to finally make.

They can even use de-tuned (omg, the horror!) Hellcat V8s for the Wagoneer/Grd Wagoneer. Nice to know they've got something planned past the usually updates for the Grd Cherokee.

But yes, Jeep needs an upscale/near-luxury large SUV....which should help to sell the business case for entry-level luxury SUVs both mid-size & large for the Chrysler brand.

MorePower - 7/8/2016 5:03:33 AM

+2 Boost

Does no one remember the abomination that was the Jeep Commander?!?

Durango, Explorer, new VW, etc. will be cheaper and this new Wagoneer will not sell.

MDarringer - 7/10/2016 4:27:14 PM

+1 Boost

The Commander was clumsily done and very poorly engineered. Have you ever driven one? It dances in cross winds and careens over at sane speeds through curves. Braking was an adventure. Holy nosedive, Batman. ABS kicks in early and it seems to take a long assed time to stop.

MDarringer - 7/8/2016 8:14:55 AM

0 Boost

I want a production Hellcat Ghibli. The only real modification needed is a domed hood.

MorePower - 7/8/2016 5:44:33 PM

+2 Boost

and suspension, steering, balance, drivetrain . . .

MDarringer - 7/8/2016 8:29:34 PM

0 Boost

@MorePower stupid tool. The impediments you raise are all bolt-in modifications.

MorePower - 7/9/2016 6:27:44 AM

+2 Boost

@MDarringer

So you can bolt on a change in a vehicle's center of gravity, weight distribution, engine placement, etc.?

Just because FCA could shoehorn a Viper engine into a Dart does not mean it is practical or worth the engineering exercise.

Just because you can do something does not mean that one should do it.

MorePower - 7/9/2016 6:29:43 AM

+2 Boost

@MDarringer

Since you are so confident, why don't you try swapping out that Hybrid motor in your Fusion with a Ford GT engine or make that front driver a RWD . . . ?

MDarringer - 7/10/2016 4:36:34 PM

+1 Boost

@MorePower Bolting the Hemi into the Ghibli is simple. It fits perfectly.

It does not appreciably change the center of gravity, but you probably meant weight distribution.

Underneath the skin the Ghibli and 300 are identical except for a mildly revised suspension up front and different bushings and valving in back.

Because the Hellcat is slightly taller than the Hemi, the hood won't close, so you cut a hole in the hood and then do metal fabrication on the hood to do a modest power bulge. The finished product should look almost stock when done.

I'd bolt on some Hellcat-specific parts.

The ONLY reason a Ghibli Hemi and a Ghibli Hellcat do not exist is because the company thinks customer will be disgusted by the American engines, which is an irony given the source of the Ghibli's engine.

And for the record, my Fusion isn't a hybrid.