- The workhorse Jeep Wrangler Unlimited gets a major dose of style in time for the 2011 Paris Boat Show.
- Two nautical-themed Wrangler Unlimited concepts, inspired by sailboats and yachts, debuted.
- While the two are cosmetic treatments, they underscore Chrysler's aim to take the Jeep brand upmarket.
PARIS — A pair of nautical-themed Jeep Wrangler Unlimited concepts are adding some high-fashion panache to the 2011 Paris Boat Show and highlighting Chrysler's ongoing efforts to take the Jeep brand upmarket.
For those used to seeing the Jeeps covered in mud and tackling the great outdoors, the Wrangler Unlimited concepts were a bit of a shock — not unlike having Chanel or Balenciaga take a whack at redesigning them.
But this time, it was the French design house Style & Design, which has dabbled intermittently in automotive fashion. One notable example: its revamping of the graphics and commercial branding on the Domino's Pizza delivery fleet in France.
The Wrangler Unlimited concepts are said to be inspired by sailboats and yachts, according to a statement on the Style & Design Web site. The fashionista treatment of the Jeeps is limited to black and white.
The White Jeep Wrangler by Style & Design gets 20-inch chrome wheels, a Navy White leather cabin with wooden-deck-style coverings for floor, dashboard, console, doors and gearshift lever. It is patterned after high-end sailboats.
The Black Jeep Wrangler by Style & Design, said to be inspired by yachts, also gets chrome and wooden deck touches. Both get canvas folding chairs.
Inside Line says: To paraphrase a World War I ditty, how ya gonna keep the Jeeps down on the farm (after they've seen Paree)?
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audidriver says:
06:54 PM, 12/07/2011
I don't want to like them but for some reason I do. Part of me keeps thinking that Jeeps should be rough and ready for the outdoor. wash and wear.
ed124c says:
06:59 AM, 12/07/2011
I wonder if you can get the white interior with the black exterior. That would be my choice. Everything about this AquaJeep seems well thought out.
The problem is, of course, that a production version will not look anywhere near as good as the above.
damaje says:
06:30 AM, 12/07/2011
It's like putting lipstick on a pitbull, oh wait that Sarah Palin. The trim bits on the dash and steering wheel look nice, not sure about the deck or the seats. Can the seats be used as flotation devices in case the driver bites off more than he can chew fording a creek or something?
cardesigner82 says:
07:45 PM, 12/06/2011
Concepts? They need to establish a price for these. I like them both. I prefer the design of the seats on the white, but LOVE the contrast of the wood on the black.
tshoe says:
05:43 PM, 12/06/2011
I really like this look on the inside and out. I will take a black with Automatic and a hardtop. Hopefully the rear "deck" is removable for more space.
isend2c says:
05:06 PM, 12/06/2011
Looks fantastic! Seems to take some of the Jeep-ness away, which works wonders for me. I think it's a bit lame that the floormats are what must be vinyl, however...
@ maxwellhere- I think the metal loops are recessed, so they shouldn't touch your body too much... similar to what Mazda does in the headrests of the RX-8. Plus, I don't think it could be much worse than simply sitting on leather that has been baking in the sun... ow. It would suck if they did touch though! :O
maxwellhere says:
04:08 PM, 12/06/2011
Did anyone check out those seats? They have metal grummets/loops all over them! Picture it: a summer day, top down, you park your nautical jeep to go onto your yacht for a little while. You come back, sit down on the seats and you've branded the loop design into your legs and back!
karz4life10 says:
03:32 PM, 12/06/2011
Pure awsomeness, all i cud do is stare i cant b leave they wud make something like this and i thought the call of duty edition was $3xy
kingon says:
10:12 AM, 12/06/2011
I liked it.
agnh says:
09:53 AM, 12/06/2011
They better start shipping the white version over to the UAE immediately. They'd sell every damn one they could build.