Jeep Hatchback Concept: Production Hopes and Rally Dreams

 

                    

By Jeff Perez

 

For many Jeep faithful, the Renegade was the straw that broke the camel’s back when it came to Fiat’s acquisition of Chrysler. After all, a Fiat Panda based soft-roader isn’t something that sits well with many hardcore Jeep enthusiasts.

But we think the Renegade deserves a chance. And we think Jeep, as a whole, is a brand that’s really moving forward and revolutionizing the 4×4 and off-road industry. So we thought, with speculation of a sub-Renegade, why not conceive it as an all-wheel drive rally hatchback? That’s right, together with Hansen Art, we created a Jeep Hatchback Concept.

Of course, for many, a Jeep hatchback would be even more sacrilegious than the lowly Renegade. But think of the potential possibilities…

 

Hot Hatch Performance

Like the Fiat Punto cousin, on which it could be based, the Jeep hatchback would likely come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, and somewhere in the market of 280 horsepower.
Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, a turbocharged diesel engine could be available.

Rally Rated

When we think about Jeeps, we think about the Rubicon Trail, and all that the Trail Rated badge stands for. Naturally, a four-wheel-drive hatchback wouldn’t be able to conquer Rubicon, but it would be able to conquer any rally stage on the planet.

With a low center of gravity and the aforementioned four-wheel-drive system, this little Jeep could make a run in the GRC, WRC, or any off-road racing series.

Designed With Jeep In Mind

Keeping many cues from its Punto cousin, the Jeep hatchback would feature a signature grille, five-spoke wheels, and enough illumination light up the side of a mountain during those late night rally events.

Overall, the sleek three-door appearance and high-performance engine would likely appeal to fans in the market for a Golf R, or any other high-performance hot hatch.

With that in mind, this little Jeep runabout does not seem so far fetched. It’s durable, it comes with four-wheel-drive, and it looks good. A sub-Renegade Jeep may not be all that crazy after all.