PRESS RELEASE
Chrysler Introduces Jeep Icon at North American Auto Show
Chrysler Unveils Concept Jeep for the Next Millennium
DETROIT, Jan. 5 -- If you get up enough nerve to tackle the
world-renowned Rubicon Trail by early next century, you could easily imagine
yourself driving Chrysler Corporation's Jeep(R) Icon concept vehicle
which was unveiled today at the North American International Auto Show in
Detroit.
"Jeep Icon is a creative exploration for a next-generation Jeep Wrangler,"
said John E. Herlitz, Chrysler Corporation's Vice President of Product Design.
"It's solid, stable, built like a rock, and its capabilities have been further
enhanced."
Re-designing Jeep Wrangler for the next century was a unique challenge for
Chrysler designers. "We have a responsibility as caretakers of one of the
world's most recognized brands," said Trevor M. Creed, Chrysler Corporation's
Design Director. "Sooner or later we will be challenged with freshening Jeep
Wrangler's appearance without sacrificing its distinctive image and
instantly-recognizable characteristics."
Chrysler designers achieved Icon's compact, muscular look by increasing
the size of its bumper, tires and wheel arches. "Our objective was to give
Icon a trim, poised look while keeping much of Jeep Wrangler's unique
character," said Creed. "However, we widened Wrangler's track, reduced its
length by five inches, its overhang by two inches, and increased wheel travel
from eight to 10 inches."
Traditional Jeep Wrangler design cues, including its long dash-to-axle
proportions, classic grille face, exposed hinges, folding windshield, and roll
cage were re-defined and updated for the next century. "We wanted to capture
the essence of practical product design which fits the Jeep image," said
Creed. "We kept the familiar grille, but made it shorter and wider. We also
kept the exposed hinges, bold bumpers, exposed door handles, and gas cap which
were designed to give the vehicle more of a mechanical, industrial design
feel, and at the same time add a lot of intrinsic value. Where the vehicle
differs the most is that it is designed as a unibody construction with an
integrated aluminum roll cage."
Icon is painted Steel Blue Metallic. Its interior is deliberately simple
and rugged with the same exposed aluminum fittings and painted steel. "One of
Icon's most notable interior design elements are its seats," said Creed.
"Inspired by the design of a camper's backpack, Icon's seats are light-weight
and made of exposed aluminum tubes which support durable waterproofed
olive-gray leather upholstery."
Icon Designer Robert Laster says his overall design concept was inspired
by the design elements found on today's high-end mountain bikes. "Just like
top-of-the-line mountain bikes and our current lineup of Jeep sport-utility
vehicles, Icon was built to go anywhere," said Laster. "Its parts are
high-quality, light-weight, and purpose-built. To communicate the quality of
each part, we branded our Jeep logo on Icon's hinges, door handles, wheels,
and bumpers."
"As we move closer and closer to the next century, Jeep enthusiasts will
be happy to know their Jeep will still look like a Jeep," said Creed.
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 142.0
Overall Width: 67.7
Overall Height: 70.1
Wheelbase: 93.4
Front Track: 59.2
Rear Track: 61.6
Wheels: Cast Aluminum
Front 8 x 19
Rear 8 x 19
Tires: Goodyear
Front 245 6OR-19 Rock Climber
Rear 245 6OR-19 Rock Climber
Engine: 2.4 Liter, I4
Drivetrain: Five Speed Manual Transmission
Body: Two Door
Unitized with Integrated Roll Cage
Suspension: Front - Double Wishbone
Rear - Double Wishbone
10 Inches of Wheel Travel
Brakes: ABS
Four-Wheel Disc
Color: Exterior: Steel Blue Metallic
Interior: Olive and Gunmetal Gray Leather
Upholstery with Anodized Magenta Accents
CONTACT: Bryan Zvibleman, 810-512-2686, or Tony Cervone, 810-512-2700, both of Chrysler