Jeep’s currently showing two specially-prepared 2012 Grand Cherokees – one painted black, the other a dark red – at the Houston and Washington D.C. shows, respectively. Both vehicles are billed as concepts, but Jeep notes the package is “production intent,” and “could be in showrooms this spring.”
Seeing as both packages aren’t that extravagant – and the Jeep brand’s recent fascination with special-edition designer packages — we’d hazard that’s a safe bet. Based on the existing Laredo X model, these vehicles were designed to provide a “factory-customized stealth appearance.” To that end, they boast a black grille surround with a mesh grille insert, black headlamp bezels, and a black liftgate trim panel. 20-inch wheels – which bear a slight resemblance to those used on the Grand Cherokee SRT8 – are finished in a matching hue, restricting exterior brightwork to the window moldings and a handful of emblems.
Interior revisions are limited to standard leather seating surfaces and heated front bucket seats. The remainder of the standard equipment – i.e. rear back-up camera and park assist, a 506-watt audio system with subwoofer, USB audio input, Bluetooth phone connectivity, etc. – essentially mirrors the existing Laredo X model. If so, expect Chrysler’s 3.6-liter V-6 to be standard equipment, its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 to be optional, and both two- and four-wheel-drive variants in the pipeline.
Really, the only unknown at this stage is the name, seeing as there is none. Visitors to www.jeep.com/namemyride can submit suggestions; from there Jeep will whittle the entries down to three finalists. The winning name will be selected in May, and the winner may have a chance at winning a new 2012 Grand Cherokee – possibly one equipped with this very package
Source : Jeep
