Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

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Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by srobertsfsj »

More GW news.

The only real info in the article.

"Lastly, the Grand Wagoneer’s development has been delayed two years to 2015 in order to give the new Dodge Durango some time to get acclimated in the marketplace. The seven-passenger Grand Wagoneer will be built to compete with the Cadillac Escalade in the large premium SUV segment."

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2013 ... -2016.html
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Stuka
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

Read this a while back when the Jeep CEO was being interviewed. Although he made it sound like budget caused it to be pushed back. But either way, 2016 was the number.

I wont be in the market for a $50k+ SUV, but will be interesting to see what kinds of luxury items and technology it has. The Grand Wagoneer was quite plush when it was out, so a new Grand Wagoneer needs to fill that same market. Big, plush, SUV for the well off. Most likely compete with the Escalade, BMW X5, Audi Q7, etc.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by oakknoll »

I will have to squeak out a few more years with the Commander. My wife started talking about replacing it when it turned 100,000 miles but I reassured her it was just broken in. I hope the new Grand Wagoneer is more truck than crossover vehicle. That would be a shame.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

oakknoll wrote:I will have to squeak out a few more years with the Commander. My wife started talking about replacing it when it turned 100,000 miles but I reassured her it was just broken in. I hope the new Grand Wagoneer is more truck than crossover vehicle. That would be a shame.
It shares the same WK2 platform as the Grand Cherokee and Durango.

Its a uniframe design, very rigid, has best in class towing, and really rides and drives nicely. I would not put it in the same class as say the Ford Explorer, which shares the same platform as the Ford Taurus.

I would put the WK2 platform well ahead of that of the WK platform that your Commander uses. The interiors are a night and day difference as well.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by oakknoll »

Thanks Stuka. I hope you are right. It would be a shame to use the Grand Wagoneer name on a crossover or wagon type vehicle.
Peter

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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by FSJunkie »

Awesome. I was really looking forward to the new Grand Wagoneers to come out so I could sneer and slander them. Now I have to wait longer.

Yes, the original Grand Wagoneer was super luxury for the elite. It was the original yuppie mobile, but the original Wagoneers up to about 1978 could be had any way you wanted them. They could be cheap, basic, stripped-down beaters, or they could be decked-out and plush.

No matter how luxuriously appointed any year Wagoneer was, the bottom line is it was built on a 1/2-ton truck chassis. Truck frame, truck axles, truck suspension, etc. Many Wagoneers actually had higher payload capacity than the lower one or two ranks of J-series pickups. That was the key to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer's success: it was a 1/2 ton truck with the appointments of a luxury car. All the competing vehicles of the time were the same way. Suburbans, Travelalls, etc. They were all luxurious, and were all built on 1/2 ton chassis, some 3/4 ton.

Sure, the new Grand Wagoneer will pitch to the luxury crowd like the original, but it isn't built like a truck anymore.

It is my belief that the new GW should be built on the Ram 1500 chassis. Then, it truly would be like the original.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

FSJunkie wrote:Awesome. I was really looking forward to the new Grand Wagoneers to come out so I could sneer and slander them. Now I have to wait longer.

Yes, the original Grand Wagoneer was super luxury for the elite. It was the original yuppie mobile, but the original Wagoneers up to about 1978 could be had any way you wanted them. They could be cheap, basic, stripped-down beaters, or they could be decked-out and plush.

No matter how luxuriously appointed any year Wagoneer was, the bottom line is it was built on a 1/2-ton truck chassis. Truck frame, truck axles, truck suspension, etc. Many Wagoneers actually had higher payload capacity than the lower one or two ranks of J-series pickups. That was the key to the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer's success: it was a 1/2 ton truck with the appointments of a luxury car. All the competing vehicles of the time were the same way. Suburbans, Travelalls, etc. They were all luxurious, and were all built on 1/2 ton chassis, some 3/4 ton.

Sure, the new Grand Wagoneer will pitch to the luxury crowd like the original, but it isn't built like a truck anymore.

It is my belief that the new GW should be built on the Ram 1500 chassis. Then, it truly would be like the original.

The Ram would work as a base I think. IFS with coil sprung rear axle, ride is the best of any of the half tons IMHO.

However, it would get blown out of the water by the vehicles it would be competing against. The current Escalade is basically a GM K1500. Body on frame, solid rear axle, etc. But a new one is coming out, and its rumored to move away from the old body on frame setup. Which is archaic to todays standards. They are less rigid, ride worse, and are much heavier, and get worse fuel economy than a uni-frame setup.

To be a luxury SUV, its needs to have utility, but it HAS to be refined.

EDIT: Hah, the new Tahoes were released today. And are STILL body on frame. Not to mention the grill is just yuck.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/12/2015 ... -unveiled/
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

Here is a video on the 2014 Durango, which is what the GW will be based on.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=060QE9FOrDU[/youtube]

The R/T sounds soooo good. And it can tow 7400lbs, which is impressive.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Shagoneer »

How will it do off road though? Half the appeal of the wagoneer (IMO) was that it was super luxurious AND really capable off road. That said I am happy that they didnt decide to just put fake wood on the outside of a cherokee like they did with the XJ wagoneer.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

The Grand Cherokee is pretty competent. It quadra-drive II it can technically move with just one tire on the ground. The overland has the adjustable suspension. And there are multiple terrain modes for the traction control.

But ground clearance is still its biggest hindrance. But compared to its competition, it does very well. If people want to REALLY go off roading, they get a Wrangler.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by FSJunkie »

It's exhaust sounds like one of those Subarus with a fart can hanging off the back. Since when did that become the stereotypical sound of power?

I'll have to drive up with a 327 backed by a couple of Thrush turbos. Now THAT sounds good!

I'm pretty sure most all of us who like the original Wagoneers will look at the new one and say "What the heck? It's a complex sports car with 4x4. This isn't a 1/2 utility vehicle." But the reality is we are not the demographic the new Wagoneer is being pitched to, and a car company that does not stay competitive by selling what people want to buy (even if I think they're out of their minds), said company will go bankrupt.

When they hit the streets I'll still hang my head and sigh with what they did to the name. The Wagoneer name is very well known, and I can't help but feel a lot of people loyal to it will not be pleased.
1972 Wagoneer: 360 2V, THM-400, D20, D30 closed knuckle, D44 Trac-lok 3.31.
1965 Rambler Ambassador: 327 4V, BW M-10 auto, AMC 20 3.15.
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by The PIG Smith »

Brandon,
Thank you for your recommendation for the WK2.
I really like the looks of them, but I cannot afford anything that new at this point in my life.
The most I could afford is a WK and trust me, I am looking.
My question, what is your opinion of the Mercedes 3.0 V6 Diesel?
Bryan Smith
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by nc wagoneer »

The PIG Smith wrote:Brandon,
Thank you for your recommendation for the WK2.
I really like the looks of them, but I cannot afford anything that new at this point in my life.
The most I could afford is a WK and trust me, I am looking.
My question, what is your opinion of the Mercedes 3.0 V6 Diesel?
I've heard that the diesels can be troublesome but I think it is Diesel Power who has been upgrading one in a liberty. My grandfather has an 05 wk with the 5.7 HEMI. It will move out of its way like no other and even with the Quadra drive he has recorded on a couple of occasions almost 25mpg from NC to Michigan!!!
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Re: Jeep Grand Wagoneer by 2016

Post by Stuka »

The PIG Smith wrote:Brandon,
Thank you for your recommendation for the WK2.
I really like the looks of them, but I cannot afford anything that new at this point in my life.
The most I could afford is a WK and trust me, I am looking.
My question, what is your opinion of the Mercedes 3.0 V6 Diesel?
The CRD used in the Libtery was junk. TONS of problems, so never get ones of those (It was a 4 cyl).

The MB 3.0L was only sold in the US for two years, but was available world wide for the full life of the WK. This engine is quite robust, and there are no common issues that I have seen posted in forums or anything. The trans is also MB. I would have no issues with getting one of these myself.

The WK2 uses a VM Motori sourced 3.0L diesel. Its the same engine going into the 2014 RAM 1500 and the 2015 Wrangler (Not 100% confirmed, but strongly suggested). This engine so far has been fine, but its only been out for a year.
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