Jeep unveils Wagoneer, still not for us

JEEP has finally unveiled its reborn Wagoneer large SUV and despite it having all the hallmarks for success Down Under it has been ruled out for a local introduction, meaning those after a full-sized or three-row Jeep will still have to settle for the new Grand Cherokee later in the year.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the Wagoneer will not be offered in Australia due to a weak local business case with Jeep preferring to focus “on what really matters for the market”.

Nevertheless, the new Wagoneer takes the square, chiselled look of the Grand Cherokee and ups the ante in an overall bigger package, reminiscent of the 1960s original.

Power in the big eight-seater comes from a duo of Hemi V8 petrol engines, the first being a 5.7-litre unit developing 293kW of power and 548Nm in the regularly Wagoneer – aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system – while the Grand Wagoneer steps this up with a bigger 6.4-litre mill good for 351kW/617Nm.

Both engines send their power to all four wheels via the familiar ‘TorqueFlite’ eight-speed automatic transmission.

Despite its rather brash exterior and what looks to be a relatively low ride height, Jeep has kitted out the Wagoneer range with its entire arsenal of off-road tech including the Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II 4x4 systems (variant dependent), a locking rear differential, the Selec-Terrain traction management system and hill descent control.

Befitting of such a large vehicle – and gutsy engines – Jeep is claiming the Wagoneer to have a maximum towing capacity of “up to” 4536kg and as such, has even included a ‘trailer hitch line-up assist’ system with dynamic guidelines as standard.

Described by Jeep as “the pinnacle of premium SUV interiors”, the cabin of the Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer is aimed squarely at the luxury market with space aplenty and heap of premium touches and features.

Leather and wood trim are in abundance with the defining feature of the cabin being the huge transmission tunnel/centre console splitting the driver and passenger seats.

The dash meanwhile is ruled by a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with other standard equipment highlights including Nappa leather seat upholstery, push-button start, 12-way power adjustable front seats (24-way on Grand Wagoneer), Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, TomTom satellite navigation and dual Bluetooth compatibility.

Jeep CEO Christian Meunier said the the brand was ready to start a new adventure with the new Wagoneer, one of the most iconic models in American automotive history.

“Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are born from the Jeep brand, but they have a flair of their own, building on a rich heritage of craftsmanship and refinement, while offering new levels of sophistication, comfort and legendary 4x4 capability, as well as a new level of customer service,” he said.

GoAuto spoke with Mr Meunier back in January following the reveal of the new Grand Cherokee where he confirmed once and for all the Wagoneer would not be headed to Australia in the foreseeable future.

“For now it’s off the table and I think we will focus on the three-row Grand Cherokee,” he said.

Local Jeep sales are up 25.1 per cent so far this year ending February with the American brand chalking up 1067 deliveries, half of which have been Grand Cherokees and Wranglers.