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Jeep Reveals Trailhawk Concept at Detroit Auto Show

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Reveal
B-Roll Footage

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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.
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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.
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

The flares are stretched and pulled taut at one end,” Vardis said. “Each presents a ‘long side’ angled toward the center of the body.
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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.

2007 Jeep Trailhawk ConceptThe 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.

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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.

2007 Jeep Trailhawk ConceptThe 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.

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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, 2007 Jeep Trailhawk Conceptcan 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.”

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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.

2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept

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.

 

2007 Jeep® Trailhawk Concept SPECIFICATIONS

Weight and Dimensions
      Weight                                                   3900 lbs (est)
      Length                                                   191.2” (4858 mm)
      Wheelbase                                           116” (2946 mm)
      Front overhang                                     34.5” (878 mm)
      Rear overhang                                      40.7” (1033 mm)
      Width (max @ body)                            77.7” (1968 mm)
      Height                                                    69.3” (1761 mm)
      Track front/rear                                     64.2”/64.2”
      Approach/depart angle                       27 Degrees/33.5 Degrees
      Couple                                                   33” (838 mm)

Powertrain and suspension
      Engine                                                   3.0L BLUETEC CRD, 215 hp @ 4000 rpm,
                                                                     376 ft. lb @ 1600-2800 rpm
      Drivetrain                                              4WD, 5-speed automatic
      Suspension                                           Front/solid axle w/ 4 bar linkes,
                                                                     Rear/solid axle w/ 5-bar links

Wheels and tires
      Tire size front/rear                                   305/45R22  33” (838 mm)
      Wheel size front/rear                               22” x 10”

Color scheme
      Exterior                                                  Argent Pearl H/G body color,
                                                                     Lt. Argent L/G wheel flares, DK.,
                                                                     Agent L/G accent and Star Brite3 H/G
                                                                     bright accent color
     
      Interior                                                   Argent Pearl S/F, Med. Argent L/G and
                                                                     Star brite 3 paint with firewood orange
                                                                     and bark black leather wrap

Key Performance Attributes
      0-60 mph                                               9 seconds
      Standing 1/4 Mile                                 15.7 seconds
      Top speed                                            124 mph
      Range                                                    300 miles
      Turning Circle                                       36 ft (est)
      Crawl Ratio                                           29:1 (3.73:1 axles)

 

 


 

 

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