Jeep eager to ramp up off-road cred

Jeep has vowed not to dilute its off-road heritage as its goes about developing a new generation of SUV models.

The iconic American brand has built its foundations on rugged and off-road capable vehicles such as the Wrangler, but in recent years has been more synomomous with road-going passenger derivatives with the introduction of the Compass, Patriot and, in October, the new Renegade.

In 2018, the car maker is also set to release a larger SUV known as the Grand Wagoneer, as well as a potential seven-seat option for the popular Grand Cherokee.

In each model, including the Grand Wagoneer, Jeep says off-road capability will be correct and present.

"Our brand strategy is to deliver credibility all the time. There has to be capability for off-roading in all of our models," the head of Jeep's international product planning, Adrian van Campenhout said.

In January, Jeep CEO Mike Manly revealed that the long-planned Grand Wagoneer was under consideration for Australia but only if it is produced in right-hand drive - which is yet to be guaranteed.

Van Campenhout said Jeep had access to new technology that would ensure the Grand Wagoneer was extremely capable off the bitumen.

"We have the technology to do whatever needs to be done at any point in time. If it needs air suspension, we have air suspension. If we need diesel engines for tractive capability, we have diesel engines to do whatever it is," he said.

"We have all the levers that would need to be pulled to be able to do it. The whole notion of trail-rated is an evolution that we've created ourselves."

Van Campenhout said Jeep's trail rated system would be available in more models in the future. Essentially, to be classified as a Trail Rated Jeep, the model in question has to have passed five checks and measures, aimed at ensuring it has the off-roads smarts to uphold the Jeep tradition.

The five key performance indicators for Trail Rated are traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation and water fording.

Some of the tests are mathematically and computer-decided, others are conducted in the real world (including the Rubicon Trail) and some are tested in real-life at test facilities in the US where parts of the Rubicon Trail have been recreated.

Trail Rated Jeeps typically have improved approach and departure angles for greater ability as well as extra bodywork and electrical sealing and high-mounted engine-air intakes to deal with river crossings.

"The Trail Rating is a continuum of performance," van Campenhout said.

"In our line-up a Wrangler two-door Rubicon is the pinnacle. It's got the disconnecting stabiliser bars. The trail-rated Patriot is a different continuum in terms of performance – but it does have skid plates, tow hooks, the features that enable it to be able to climb a level of stuff, and be protected against that environment, full stop.

 "The Cherokee we said we had to be trail-rated, and that we needed to be able to do it.

 "When you go down to our other levels, we need to be the best off-road vehicle in the segment."