Forgotten study: JEEP JEEPSTER from 1998

It was at the 1998 Detroit Auto Show Jeep revealed an interesting prototype codenamed "Project Grizzly", which was eventually christened the Jeep Jeepster. This is based on the traditional name of the brand, which gave its name to an interesting convertible at the end of the 40s Willys.

Concept car Jeepster jeepster was designed as a crossover, i.e. as a model halfway between the two different types bodywork. Part of the genes gives high performance sports coupe, and the remaining DNA gives pure off-road vehicle. You can see the result of this "mating" in the photos.

In 1998, Jeep presented an interesting study called the Jeep Jeepster at the Detroit Auto Show, which did not see mass production.

It was about tall sports car with a V8 engine that is somewhat similar To the Wrangler – which at the time was claimed by the manufacturers to be the ultimate lifestyle vehicle – and had enough off-road capability to complete the famous Rubicon Trail off-road tracks. The engine had a volume 4,7 liter and made his debut in the model a little earlier Grand Cherokee with their 238 BAM in 400 Nm of torque. The engine was mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Of course, there was no lack of permanent four-wheel drive Quadra-Trac II with a reduction gear, which was new for the brand at the time, which allowed the engine power to be transmitted only to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions, and in case of insufficient traction, the power was distributed to both axles. Jeepster it also had an individual suspension mount, which was also adjustable and allowed the vehicle to be raised or lowered by approx 9 centimeters. It depends on whether the car should be driven as a sports coupe on the road or as an off-road vehicle. In the road configuration, the ground clearance was 14,6 centimeters, and in field 22,9 centimeters.

It was a cross between a sports coupe and an off-road vehicle that resembled the Wrangler model.

Aesthetically the model was painted in “intense red” color, with black plastic surfaces, round headlights typical of the time and a classic mask Jeep with seven vertical slits. Huge 19-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels were shod with tires Goodyear Extended Mobility, which should otherwise be up to off-road driving, although they weren't ideal.