 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |
Image credits: © Jeep.
2007 Jeep Trailhawk Concept news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
Jeep® Trailhawk: Chrysler Group Design Spreads its Wings for its Rugged, Iconic Jeep Brand
Detroit, Jan 8, 2007 - The Jeep® Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core off-road features of the new body-on-frame four-door Jeep Wrangler Únlimited wîth the refined sophistication of an all-new on-road open-air concept vehicle, providing a unique and fresh expression for Jeep. Built off the new Wrangler platform, the Jeep Trailhawk is a more refined highway cruiser without sacrificing any of Jeep's legendary off-road capabilities.
'The key to the look of the Trailhawk,' said Nick Vardis, Principal Exterior Designer, 'is the vehicle's distinctive proportions, due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase. The dash-to-front-axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated.'
Vardis said the body side is muscular and broad-shouldered, wîth the sheet metal pulled into shape, much like a drawn arrow in the bow of a skilled archer. Even the pillars are pulled back. The forward motion of the body is further accented by the drive of the raising beltline.
The stance is broad, and the wheels, pushed to the corners of the vehicle, are enclosed in robust flares dramatically offset from the body. Partly trapezoidal in shape, yet not asymmetrical, these angular, crisply-contoured wheel flares reinterpret one of Jeep's fundamental design cues.
'The flares are stretched and pulled taut at one end,' Vardis §äid. 'Each presents a ‘long side' angled toward the center of the body.'
The body in turn tapers toward the front in plan view to expose more of the flares and accent the wide stance. The flares enclose large 22-inch, five-spoke wheels, each wîth a hefty 34-inch overall diameter. The specially-crafted tires are accented by a red stripe, wîth the red color repeated on the exposed brake calipers.
The lower body, which kicks outward along the bottoms of the doors, intersects the flares crisply. Tucked beneath this horizontal element is a recessed running board, accented by a silver molding. A tall trapezoidal vent, located at the front fender-front door cut line, is home to the circular Trail Rated badge.
The Trailhawk's long hood is fronted by a signature seven-slot Jeep grille angled rearward to match the lean-back surface of the forward flares, wîth the slots filled wîth a mesh texture. Bracketed between the grille and the flares, the chamfered headlamps mimic the lean-back stance. Beneath their clear flush lenses, HID projector beam quad lamps nestled into twin 'telescopic' polished aluminum barrels light the way forward while LEDs, configured in parallel stripes provide park and turn signals.
'The main headlamp units are cropped diagonally across the top,' said Vardis. 'They peer out from an angled brow, giving the vehicle its bold, sinister look. In front view, the left and right lamps evoke the hooded eyes of a bird of prey.
'Like other concepts, we first viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps together in the computer' added Vardis. 'We immediately noticed the hawkish expression, hence the name ‘Trailhawk.''
The taillamps mimic the look of the headlamps, including the striped turn signals, wîth the surface of the liftgate carved away.
The vehicle's upper structure is set onto the lower body, encased by a crisp, chamfered 360-degree molding that runs around the greenhouse, accenting the high, arching beltline. At the base of the windshield is a seven-slot cowl screen that reprises the grille. The body is painted in Argent Pearl high-gloss, wîth the flares and lower body a slightly darker low-gloss variant.
The side windows retract fully into the body, leaving no B-pillar above the belt, while the diagonal quarter windows are also fully retractable. Gray-tinted twin longitudinal glass panels over the first- and second-row seats and the glass panel over the cargo compartment are removable, as is the swing-up backlight. With all the glass lowered and removed, the Trailhawk offers occupants virtually the same open-air ambience as a typical soft top Jeep. The fixed central spine contains overhead lighting and several integrated storage bins.
'The Jeep Trailhawk interior emphasizes the vehicle's open air-freedom, inviting elements of the exterior theme into the interior,'said Cliff Wilkins, responsible for the interior design. 'Tough mechanical elements which evoke exterior details are contrasted wîth sophisticated materials and finishes to give a modern, rugged, purposeful interior while delivering a premium off-road experience.'
The four-passenger interior is dominated by two major design elements —the cross-car instrument panel (I/P) form and a full-length central spine which forms the floor console. The AC outlets, center stack compass/inclinometer, and the dimensional, double-deck 'biplane' gauges are housed in circular casings having the appearance of machined aluminum, wîth detailing matching headlamp surrounds. The two-tone leather-wrapped aluminum §teering wheel features vertical individual switches for lights and speed control.
Riding the transmission tunnel, the console's raised walls create a full-length open bin, handy for the storage of sundry items. Within the console's side rails, two front/rear combination armrest/storage bin modules, movable via concealed tracks, can be positioned fore-aft at the occupants' discretion. Úsing the familiar touchpad technology of laptop computers, a flip-out pad for the remote control fold-away flat screen navigation unit is housed in the forward armrest.
'The open console's unique utility is enhanced by the relocation of the transfer case ‘Terrain Selector' switch to the center stack of the I/P,' said Wilkins. 'Also, there is the use of an electronic gear selector/park brake lever mounted to the right side of the §teering column to continue this effect.'
Additional storage is available forward of the drop-open center stack control module, and in the lower door trim panels.
The driver and three passengers can relax in individual premium leather seating in Bark Black and Firewood Orange. The vehicle's floor is a durable spray-finish wîth integrated non-slip heel pads, practical for all-weather use.
In the cargo area, each quarter panel houses a removable, portable 'audio pod' sound system. Handsome in their rectangular dark gray cases accented wîth silver circular speaker bezels, each 'pod' is fitted wîth a dock for an MP3 player. For carrying of first aid or road hazard gear, jerry-can style boxes in easy-to-find Firewood Orange are mounted forward of the speaker 'pods.'
The utility of the cargo area is enhanced by a drop-down tailgate featuring integral concealed storage, four cup holders, and a sliding Load ‘N Go cargo tray wîth movable partitions that roll rearward for easy retrieval of stored items.
'One of the most remarkable things about the interior,' concludes Wilkins, 'is that it was designed and surfaced entirely electronically — there were no traditional sketches or 3-D models. Even so, the interior turned out just as we had envisioned.'Source - Jeep
Detroit, Jan 8, 2007 - The Jeep® Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core off-road features of the new body-on-frame four-door Jeep Wrangler Únlimited wîth the refined sophistication of an all-new on-road open-air concept vehicle, providing a unique and fresh expression for Jeep. Built off the new Wrangler platform, the Jeep Trailhawk is a more refined highway cruiser without sacrificing any of Jeep's legendary off-road capabilities.
'The key to the look of the Trailhawk,' said Nick Vardis, Principal Exterior Designer, 'is the vehicle's distinctive proportions, due in part to its 116-inch wheelbase. The dash-to-front-axle dimension is dramatically long, giving the vehicle a sense of forward motion, while the front and rear overhangs are tight and abbreviated.'
Vardis said the body side is muscular and broad-shouldered, wîth the sheet metal pulled into shape, much like a drawn arrow in the bow of a skilled archer. Even the pillars are pulled back. The forward motion of the body is further accented by the drive of the raising beltline.
The stance is broad, and the wheels, pushed to the corners of the vehicle, are enclosed in robust flares dramatically offset from the body. Partly trapezoidal in shape, yet not asymmetrical, these angular, crisply-contoured wheel flares reinterpret one of Jeep's fundamental design cues.
'The flares are stretched and pulled taut at one end,' Vardis §äid. 'Each presents a ‘long side' angled toward the center of the body.'The body in turn tapers toward the front in plan view to expose more of the flares and accent the wide stance. The flares enclose large 22-inch, five-spoke wheels, each wîth a hefty 34-inch overall diameter. The specially-crafted tires are accented by a red stripe, wîth the red color repeated on the exposed brake calipers.
 | Vital Stats |
The Trailhawk's long hood is fronted by a signature seven-slot Jeep grille angled rearward to match the lean-back surface of the forward flares, wîth the slots filled wîth a mesh texture. Bracketed between the grille and the flares, the chamfered headlamps mimic the lean-back stance. Beneath their clear flush lenses, HID projector beam quad lamps nestled into twin 'telescopic' polished aluminum barrels light the way forward while LEDs, configured in parallel stripes provide park and turn signals.'The main headlamp units are cropped diagonally across the top,' said Vardis. 'They peer out from an angled brow, giving the vehicle its bold, sinister look. In front view, the left and right lamps evoke the hooded eyes of a bird of prey.
'Like other concepts, we first viewed the math surface of the grille and headlamps together in the computer' added Vardis. 'We immediately noticed the hawkish expression, hence the name ‘Trailhawk.''
The taillamps mimic the look of the headlamps, including the striped turn signals, wîth the surface of the liftgate carved away.
The vehicle's upper structure is set onto the lower body, encased by a crisp, chamfered 360-degree molding that runs around the greenhouse, accenting the high, arching beltline. At the base of the windshield is a seven-slot cowl screen that reprises the grille. The body is painted in Argent Pearl high-gloss, wîth the flares and lower body a slightly darker low-gloss variant.The side windows retract fully into the body, leaving no B-pillar above the belt, while the diagonal quarter windows are also fully retractable. Gray-tinted twin longitudinal glass panels over the first- and second-row seats and the glass panel over the cargo compartment are removable, as is the swing-up backlight. With all the glass lowered and removed, the Trailhawk offers occupants virtually the same open-air ambience as a typical soft top Jeep. The fixed central spine contains overhead lighting and several integrated storage bins.
'The Jeep Trailhawk interior emphasizes the vehicle's open air-freedom, inviting elements of the exterior theme into the interior,'said Cliff Wilkins, responsible for the interior design. 'Tough mechanical elements which evoke exterior details are contrasted wîth sophisticated materials and finishes to give a modern, rugged, purposeful interior while delivering a premium off-road experience.'
The four-passenger interior is dominated by two major design elements —the cross-car instrument panel (I/P) form and a full-length central spine which forms the floor console. The AC outlets, center stack compass/inclinometer, and the dimensional, double-deck 'biplane' gauges are housed in circular casings having the appearance of machined aluminum, wîth detailing matching headlamp surrounds. The two-tone leather-wrapped aluminum §teering wheel features vertical individual switches for lights and speed control.Riding the transmission tunnel, the console's raised walls create a full-length open bin, handy for the storage of sundry items. Within the console's side rails, two front/rear combination armrest/storage bin modules, movable via concealed tracks, can be positioned fore-aft at the occupants' discretion. Úsing the familiar touchpad technology of laptop computers, a flip-out pad for the remote control fold-away flat screen navigation unit is housed in the forward armrest.
'The open console's unique utility is enhanced by the relocation of the transfer case ‘Terrain Selector' switch to the center stack of the I/P,' said Wilkins. 'Also, there is the use of an electronic gear selector/park brake lever mounted to the right side of the §teering column to continue this effect.'
Additional storage is available forward of the drop-open center stack control module, and in the lower door trim panels. The driver and three passengers can relax in individual premium leather seating in Bark Black and Firewood Orange. The vehicle's floor is a durable spray-finish wîth integrated non-slip heel pads, practical for all-weather use.
In the cargo area, each quarter panel houses a removable, portable 'audio pod' sound system. Handsome in their rectangular dark gray cases accented wîth silver circular speaker bezels, each 'pod' is fitted wîth a dock for an MP3 player. For carrying of first aid or road hazard gear, jerry-can style boxes in easy-to-find Firewood Orange are mounted forward of the speaker 'pods.'
The utility of the cargo area is enhanced by a drop-down tailgate featuring integral concealed storage, four cup holders, and a sliding Load ‘N Go cargo tray wîth movable partitions that roll rearward for easy retrieval of stored items.
'One of the most remarkable things about the interior,' concludes Wilkins, 'is that it was designed and surfaced entirely electronically — there were no traditional sketches or 3-D models. Even so, the interior turned out just as we had envisioned.'Source - Jeep
Chrysler Group today shared sketches of two concepts that will be unveiled in January 2007 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit — Chrysler Nassau Concept and Jeep Trailhawk Concept.
The Chrysler Nassau concept is a four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe wîth an emphasis on driving dynamics. The artistic exterior design leans toward an exploration as to what could be a future sedan in the brand's lineup. The Chrysler Nassau concept highlights sweeping curves to define the front and rear fasciae.
The Jeep Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core features of the Jeep Wrangler wîth the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Derived from the all-new 2007 Wrangler architecture, the Jeep Trailhawk concept taps into ''Jeep Rugged'' attributes to provide classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom. The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow, produce the countenance of a bird of prey, and the inspiration for the ''Trailhawk'' name.
The Jeep® Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core features of the Jeep Wrangler wîth the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Derived from the all-new 2007 Wrangler architecture, the Jeep Trailhawk concept taps into 'Jeep Rugged' attributes to provide classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom.
The Chrysler Nassau concept is a four-door, four-passenger luxury coupe wîth an emphasis on driving dynamics. The artistic exterior design leans toward an exploration as to what could be a future sedan in the brand's lineup. The Chrysler Nassau concept highlights sweeping curves to define the front and rear fasciae.
The Jeep Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core features of the Jeep Wrangler wîth the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Derived from the all-new 2007 Wrangler architecture, the Jeep Trailhawk concept taps into ''Jeep Rugged'' attributes to provide classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom. The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow, produce the countenance of a bird of prey, and the inspiration for the ''Trailhawk'' name.
The Jeep® Trailhawk concept merges the spectrum of the Jeep brand by combining the core features of the Jeep Wrangler wîth the sophistication of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Derived from the all-new 2007 Wrangler architecture, the Jeep Trailhawk concept taps into 'Jeep Rugged' attributes to provide classic proportions, unsurpassed off-road capability and a new approach to open-air freedom.
The headlamps, cropped and peering out from beneath a diagonal brow, produce the countenance of a bird of prey, and the inspiration for the 'Trailhawk' name.
Source - Jeep| 75 years ago: triple victory for Mercedes-Benz in Tripoli | |
 | • Spectacular launch of the W 154 'Silver Arrow'
• Hermann Lang is victorious on the Mellaha course in Libya Stuttgart – A triple victory was secured for Mercedes-Benz and the then new W 154 twelve-cylinder racing car on 15 May 1938. Hermann Lang won the Tripoli Grand Prix, ahead of fellow drivers Manfred von Brauchitsch and Rudolf Caracciola. This one-two-three win launched a season that saw Mercedes-Benz dominate European racing – a season in which Caracciola would also be cr...[Read more...] |
| Land Rover Celebrates 65 Years Of Technology And Innovation | |
 | SIXTY-FIVE YEARS OF LAND ROVER From our earliest days, the desire to create a vehicle that will tackle any terrain has made Land Rover famous around the world. Over the past 65 years, the Land Rover family has grown into the highly respected range of vehicles that are sold in record numbers today. As Land Rover continues to go from strength to strength, we thought it was time to look back at the milestones in our history that have got us here. The last 65 years have been an adventure. ...[Read more...] |
| HONDA EARTH DREAMS TECHNOLOGY ENGINES NAMED AMONG WARD'S 10 BEST ENGINES FOR 2013 | |
 | Honda Earth Dreams Technology Engines Named Among Ward's 10 Best Engines for 2013 4-cylinder and V-6 engines from all-new 2013 Accord honored TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 12, 2012 - Two Honda Earth DreamsTM Technology engines powering the all-new 2013 Honda Accord were named to Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2013. Nearly every 2013 Accord on sale in the United States is equipped with one of the honored engines; the direct-injected 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and the 3.5-liter V6 eng...[Read more...] |
| CHRYSLER GROUP LLC DRIVES AWAY WITH HIGHEST AND MOST HONORS AT THE 20TH ANNUAL TEXAS TRUCK RODEO | |
 | Vehicles from Ram Truck and Jeep® brands win eight of 19 awards from the Texas Auto Writers Association at this year's Texas Truck Rodeo •'Truck of Texas' awarded to the 2013 Ram 1500 •Jeep Grand Cherokee - the most awarded SUV in history – captures 'SUV of Texas' award for third consecutive year October 22, 2012 , SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Ram Truck and Jeep® brand vehicles won significantaccolades this year at the 20thannual Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Texas Truck Rodeo. ...[Read more...] |
| All-new Dodge Dart and Chrysler 300 Luxury Series Named to 'Wards 10 Best Interiors' List for 2012 | |
 | • New 2013 Dodge Dart built with materials and precision craftsmanship typically found in more expensive vehicle segments • High-tech, unseen-in-the-segment features available on the Dart include class-exclusive customizable 7-inch gauge cluster, 8.4-inch Uconnect® touchscreen, heated steering wheel and illuminated floating island bezel in the instrument panel • All-new Chrysler 300 Luxury Series sedan is the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler vehicle ever • ...[Read more...] |
 2007
Jeep
models |
| Jeep Commander |
| Jeep Compass |
| Jeep Compass Rallye Package |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee |
| Jeep Liberty |
| Jeep Wrangler |
| Jeep Wrangler Unlimited | 2007 Jeep Concepts |
| Jeep Wrangler JT Concept |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Cadillac | Chevrolet |
| Chrysler | Dodge |
| Ford | GMC |
| Hummer | Lincoln |
| Mercury | Pontiac |
| Saturn | |
| Jeep: 2001-2010 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Jeep |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2007 Chicago |
| 2007 New York Auto Show |
| 2007 North American International Auto Show |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cherokee | CJ-5 | Commander | Compass | Grand Cherokee | Liberty | Patriot | Wrangler |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
