This blacked-out, unnamed (more on that later) Grand Cherokee concept isn’t a radical show car. Instead, it previews a potential future special-edition model. The SUV is being shown at the Houston auto show today, where Jeep says it will study the public reaction to the “concept” to determine whether to put it on sale. There may not be much deliberation; the concept’s mere existence and imminent plausibility mean this Grand Cherokee likely is happening.
To create the “production-intent” concept, Jeep started with a mid-level Grand Cherokee Laredo X and added lots of black accents. Pretty much everything on the exterior has been given the dark treatment, save for the chrome window trim, select badges, and the exhaust tips. The concept’s wheels are “one-of-a-kind” for a Jeep; in actuality, they’re just gloss-black Dodge Durango R/T pieces. Overall, the stealth treatment results in the meanest-looking Grand Cherokee this side of the vented and flared SRT8.
Jeep also will show a red-painted version of the same concept at the Washington, D.C., auto show tomorrow—a company spokesperson tells us that if (okay, when) the Jeep goes on sale it will be offered in a variety of colors with the same black trimmings.
Jeep will hold an online “Name My Ride” contest for the model (further proof of production inevitability) and select three choices from the entries. Consumers can then vote online and the person who submits the chosen, official vehicle name will have a chance to win a new 2012 Grand Cherokee. Allow us to suggest a few: “Jeep Grand Cherokee Everything’s Blacker in Texas Edition” for this one and “Jeep Grand Cherokee Red-Tape Edition” for the D.C. version; we also like “Jeep Grand Cherokee R/T,” “Toledo 1-8-7,” and “Black Death.” Whatever it’s ultimately called, expect this special Jeep to go on sale this spring.
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