Jeep debuted its first all-electric SUV for the North American market today in New York. While the $71,995 Wagoneer S was the main attraction, the carmaker also unveiled an off-road capable Trailhawk concept, which looked stunning on 31.5-inch tires. The menacing laser-cut roof rack, the 3D-printed tow hooks, the elevated suspension, the wheel caps, and a slew of other extras for gearheads and boulder lovers alike set the forest green SUV apart from the basic Wagoneer S.
For Jeep's toughest off-road vehicles, which come with more resilient parts and components, the trim name Trailhawk is typically used. A series of tests for maneuverability, articulation, and ground clearance are also frequently completed by Trailhawk vehicles, which indicates that they have been trail rated. And Jeep's interest in expanding those capabilities to its emerging battery-electric category is evident in the Wagoneer S Trailhawk concept.
While improving upon the Wagoneer S, the Trailhawk concept has many of the same attributes. The concept has an elevated suspension for improved ground clearance in addition to those 31.5-inch all-terrain tires. Both the front and rear of the car have tow hooks integrated in them, and working air extractors are designed for high-pressure situations. The panoramic sunroof has two panels to let in fresh air, or trail dust, as it were. The badging blends in seamlessly with the car, the hood decal is anti-glare.
With the Trailhawk concept, Jeep adds a sixth driver mode, called Rock, to its lineup for the Wagoneer S. In the center console, the mode selector is easily accessed by being emergency red. Additionally, the octagonal-shaped steering wheel has unique grips for those really tense times at the nine and three o'clock locations.
Off-roading on an electric vehicle is nothing new. Electric trucks from Ford, Chevy, GMC, and Rivian are advertised as being equally competent on gravel as they are on asphalt. Additionally, there is a section of the yearly King of the Hammers off-road tournament reserved for battery-operated rock crawlers. However, Jeep takes great pride in its powerful dirt-sprayer vehicles, so a plug-in model would make perfect sense.
Although the firm isn't committed to putting the Trailhawk idea into production, officials made strong insinuations during today's event that the off-roader might in fact someday turn into an actual electric vehicle. The Wagoneer S will come in multiple grades, with the fully loaded Launch Edition being the first, according to Jeep CEO Antonio Filosa.
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