Yes, will someone please post pictures of the TK proto-type.

Carter, When did you see the autoweek program????

Jon, I believe there is no camparison between the Commander and XJ, That's like saying the Golden Gate in SF is similar to Brooklyn Bridge just because they're both bridges...Dunno there's NO way in heck I would buy a Commander over a late model '98-'01 XJ..NO camparison in size, aesthetics, or price for that matter.....NO way..NO how.

Sorry, but I now think we have the Jeep equivalent of the dorky
Hummer H2/H3. Honestly, I do not like the design, as it appears
to be a bloated, even more boring and uninspired version of the
AMC Cherokee, a vehicle I never really liked, either. While
blatantly utilitarian, the XK’s design bears no semblance of
class, whatsoever. There are relatively few vehicles—the
Mercedes-Benz G-wagen, Range Rover, Land Rover, Jeep—that
can feature very structural horizontal and vertical lines, yet this
is not one of them. (However, even the TJ may have a more
slanted windshield rake than the XK.) The exterior is just a box
on wheels, non-imaginative and non-exclusive, just like the
Cherokee. As for the interior, the curvaceous lower dash
(straight out of the Grand Cherokee) totally clashes with the
square, militaristic upper-half. The doors appear to be shared,
parts-bin commodities as well, except the Commander sports
the Liberty’s “stylish” half-moon handles.

All in all, this vehicle will be another dud for Chrysler. Expect a
cold reception at the debut, which will likely include comments
along the lines of “Jeep Commander: it looks like a Hummer” and
“wow, another fat SUV.” Reviews will feature a similar tone. The
Commander will not command respect, but ridicule and laughter
just like—what—the H2. I hate this beast.

I like these new pics better. It kinda seems like a combo between the cherokee and the old G-wagon. I like the inside alot. it seema sorta like the old cherokee inerior but more modern.

Doesn't it seem like all of the new designs out of DC dont look good at first but grow on you?
(this need not apply to all the whiners)

Jon,

IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY, the headlights in the official photo are
the EXACT same ones as displayed in the Detroit Free Press
photo.

You're right Carter....4 XJs for the price of 1 Commander. Hopefully will find an '01 Classic or Sport to go with my ZJ and YJ soon. Talk about Classic styling..still looks great now.

Actually after seeing and hearing all the fuss about the future of Jeep and the auto industry in general; I feel genuinely glad I have bought my Jeeps before they became status symbols. I don't want the expensive luxury of push-button 4WD, I don't need airbags tucked in to EVERY crevice of the interior for my safety, I don't desire to have the most expensive driveway ornament on the block, I just wanna get in my 'ol YJ or ZJ and go wheelin. Jeep USED to be that simple. Let them eat cake; I prefer mud.

you know at first glance I wasn't sure about it..
but the more and more I look at these photos... I am liking it.. We'll have to wait till the official debut at the New York auto show to see some better pics... But when you look at it.. You know it is a jeep...

Hey OnlyOneJeep, you are, so deal with it. And nice stereotypical
hick comment about everyone here too.

Additionally, AMC called, they want their Cherokee back.

just run the fricking photo

here is my comment Where have the good designers gone? Jeep is in big trouble. They didn't get it with the new GC. I think Jeep should be sold to GM and design it under Bob Lutz reign. This new Commander makes no sense. Have you read the reviews on the new GC,not so wonderful. With all the money at there feet there heart just isn't in designing a break through design!

i hate to break it to everyone here but the designs DC uses for
vehicles are not done last week. They are already in the can and
just get tweaked according to public reaction to other vehicle's
design cues. Trust me. I've actually been inside the DC design
studios and they have WALLS of concept drawings with dates for
each one along a timeline. They don't consult this or any other
board. They do feedback gathering at special events.

DC also shares designers between brands, which is why they can
so easily make a new Durango look a little like the Liberty. That,
in my opinion, is certain death. No matter how good your
designers are, they can't do two brands at once. The fact is this.
A designer needs to live and breathe ONE brand at a time to fully
understand and express it in a design. I understand the need to
share the guts of vehicles between brands but I absolutely HATE
the sharing of external design cues between DCX brands. It is
disgusting and frankly, just LAZY.

Hey OnlyOneJeep, I will sell you my 2001 XJ for the price of a Commander. Fair deal, right? ;-) Forget it, it's paid for I will drive it until it dies or until Jeep makes the Gladiator. But, it may get a WK or XK sibling sitting next to it soon enough.

To me it looks like the rebirth of the XJ. I like everything
about it except the reported 40,000 price.

I see two sets of round headlights per side, both of which are
placed in a vertical stack arrangement.

You Asked for Itttt!!!!
You Gott Ittt!!!

Coo--Maaaannn--Derrrr!!!!

Looks like somebody left the air hose in the XJ Cherokee and forgot about it until it was almost ready to pop...

I actually like it though, looks Land Rover Discovery-esque...Sort of what the Dakar would have eventually become if it were ever produced.

Pretty much what Jeep Owners have been screaming for, for the last decade.

here is my comment Very ugly. Well done jeep.

The Commander looks to be very utilitarian. Its Gross Vehicle Weight is 6410 lbs, vs. 6150 lbs or the JGC Limited. I would have expected it to be considerably more. The article does not give the curb weight. For myself I don't need the third row of seats (I've never used the third row in my Acura MDX) and the extra 10" in length would make parking more difficult.

Off topic. Autoweek ran some photos of a camoflauged
stretched wrangler on their TV show. It looked longer
and wider than the unlimited and still had a removable
top. They said it was the 4-door prototype even though
it had only 2 doors. Did anyone else see it?

Just build the frickin' Gladiator...

After seeing the Commander photo, which I thought would turn
out to be a cool looking, rugged Jeep—not some frumpy
characterless box—I am even more terrified of what’s in the
works for the TJ replacement. First it was the Liberty, then the
Grand Cherokee, and now the Commander, these are three
successive design blunders. Who creates these things? And,
what problems are happening in the transition from awesome
concept vehicle to humdrum production vehicle?

Thanks for the info Carter and Jason, I am TiVoing that episode. My thoughts on the TK: It will be a cross between the Rescue and Gladiator. It will be longer and wider that the current TJ (using the Gladiator platform?) but will resemble the Rescue in styling. That would be consistent with the way Jeep uses concepts. The Dakar and Jeepster were used for the styling of the Liberty, but the platform was based off the Varsity concept. That would also allow Jeep to build a Gladitor-like truck on the TK platform if they felt the market was there. While there may not be a market for a TJ Unlimited based truck, if the TK is larger, it may make more sense.

I was watching the speed channel and in there spy report show pics of a proto type 4 door wrangler of course missing the 2nd door, looked longer and wider and did have solid axles!!!! The show was motor week featuring the dodge powerwagon, it should re-air 12pm pacific/1PM mountain/2PM central/3pm eastern...If some one can tape it then get it posted on the net so we can examin the pics????? Show #2428...THanks carter

Motorweek show #2428 to be exact.

Diesel, you're right, it was motorweek.

If it's PBS then the program is Motorweek not Autoweek. I wish I had seen it but we don't get that program in Boston.

I saw it sunday morning on PBS.

I heard pricing was going to be lower than the reported $40,000. I believe that will be a high end Limited version like the GC. I bet they will start in the mid-$20's for the Highline base and go up from there. That will be right in line with the GC. They will sell well at that price point.

Regarding the diesel: "In Europe and other markets outside of North America, the Jeep Grand Cherokee will offer a new diesel engine and two gasoline powerplants. The all-new 3.0-liter V-6 common-rail diesel engine is based on the latest Mercedes-Benz technology and offers outstanding performance along with the refinement and efficiency international buyers are looking for." As usual, we miss out on opportunities for improved fuel economy and performance. Should be noted that Jeep also makes the six speed manual available on diesels outside of NA. Source: www.magnasteyr.com

i know this is off topic, but, i was just on the How Stuff Works website and there was a pic of what seemed to be a common rail diesel based on the 3.7L powertec engine. LINK: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

has anybody heared any thing about this engine?

well I work at a dealer in the service side of things.. cust came in that works at the jeep plant today and I showed him these pics.. He said that is exactly what it is going to be.. That that is what is running down the lines right now. From his view... He said He loves it..
But he's under the impression of it being between the liberty and grand from pricing....
He said they don't have window stickers on them yet. So not sure what the price is going to be.
Now if they can keep this price down enough on this. These should sell very well.

here is my comment

Check out those “rugged” bolt-on rear fender flares. A little too
gaudy, I think, for a $40,000-plus vehicle.

http://www.xkjeeps.com/photos/2006_commander_004.jpg

Jeepers made a good point. New Jeep models usually take a while to grow on people. They may not always be as stylish as some other vehicles but they tend to stand out as uniquely Jeep. Some will never like the design but it is impossible to please every person, to think it is possible is laughable.

Personally, I didn't like the WJ when it first came out but it grew on me. Through revisions over the next few years the design was refined until it became (in my mind) near perfect in 2004. I didn't like the WK design as much as the WJ when the WK debuted a year ago. It however continues to grow on me. I am sure the design will be refined over the next few years also. The XK does look similar to XJ's boxy styling but obviously will be a world away when it comes to comfort and price. I think its design will quickly grow on people as something that is distinctly Jeep. DCX appears to have went for simple styling instead of making a gaudy monstrosity like the H2. Of course these are all just my opinions...

I like the looks of it but I'd never buy one. Too big for my needs. Gas costs too much in Southern California ($2.41 a Gallon for regular down at the corner Chervon) and I rarely carry more than one other person. It would never fit on the trails I like to do. But I'd buy a Turbo Diesel Gladiator tomorrow if they made them! The new 2007 2 door Wrangler might be OK too if it is more fuel efficient and has better front visibility than the TJ, which I like.

Don't buy one.

here is my comment First I laughed then I cryed.
I think I need therapy. I'am going crazy.

here is my comment First I haughed then I cryed.
I think I need therapy. I'am going crazy.

4.5" taller and 10" longer is hardly hummer size, it seems that a lot of you are just looking to be hating this vehicle. it couldn't be more reminscent of the cherokee in fact it's old school like the grand wagoneer and very close in size... honestly what do you want BESIDES the wrangler. i too hope that dc comes out with the gladitor but BESIDES that what is it that would make you all quit whining about the 05 gc and now the 06 commander (which hasn't been seen except photos). the 05 gc is the best i have ever driven and have had 10+ over the course of the past dozen years. why all the dismay out there, jeep still has the wrangler for all of you rock hounds. i doubt that the majority of you that make so many complaints have purchased too many jeeps. for those of us that have, i realize that jeep needs more vehicles and though it may be slower on the product development than they should, the 05 is great and i look forward to the 06 commander with fond memories of what the grand wagoneer was and could be again. all this hating is getting old.

I don't think this is going to base price as much as some think. From what I heard it is going to start in the same price range as a GC and go up from there. So that would mean mid-$20's for a two-wheel drive up to a little over $40 for a Limited model.
I am really confused with some of the opinions I have been reading. Some say they hate the styling of the GC and Liberty and bring back their old XJ but here we have a vehicle that looks like a modern version of the Cherokee and I bet alot more comfortable but it's still not what you want.??
You guys haven't even seen but one or two photos and you have made up your minds.
Is it that you can't afford anything new?(sour grapes)

I find the post of “Lifted TJ” to be very applicable to my
sentiments about the Commander, as well. He/she writes:

I am amazed at DC's inability to grasp what Jeep is all about. The
are making great cars at Chrysler (I absolutely love my 300C and
our T & C minivan has been everything from a pickup hauling
pallet grass to a people mover hauling 7 around in comfort and
style) and Dodge is getting some great trickle down. Why is Jeep
so hard to figure out? Does the world really need a 7-passenger
Jeep SUV in the $50K range? Does Jeep really need this product?
Is it in keeping with their history? Ford and Chevy have been
building big trucks and large SUV's for years. Hummer (small
business tax breaks) Land Rover and Cadillac already have the
lux SUV market. I don't see a niche for Jeep up there. Who is
going to buy it. I own 3 DC vehicles. Am I the target audience for
this vehicle? I hope not. The only thing I would trade my TJ for is
an Unlimited with a Hemi, and even that would be a tough call.
Say what you want about mini's, my T & C has been the most
versatile vehicle I have ever owned, and you'd have to pry the
steering wheel out of my cold, stiff hands to get my 300C. Good
luck Jeep. I'm behind you whatever you do, I just wish you'd
ignore the fickle focus groups and ask the customers who have
been buying the product for years.

The Commander does indeed look very utilitarian. I am looking forward to seeing the press photos which should show more angles and more of the interior. I will also be interested in seeing the official specifications, crash ratings, performance ratings, etc. At first glance, an XK will probably join my XJ within the next year.

i just want a new cherokee that i could throw the family in and when i say family that means i also have no money so it would have to be AFFORDABLE

The new Commander looks unique. Dosen't look like a Dodge or Hummer.
This is classic Jeep lines. I like the new GC but the new Commander will stand out among all the other SUV's including all the German and products from Japan. They all look like each other. The interior looks way cool also.

"DC also shares designers between brands, which is why they can so easily make a new Durango look a little like the Liberty. That,
in my opinion, is certain death. No matter how good your designers are, they can't do two brands at once. The fact is this. A designer needs to live and breathe ONE brand at a time to fully understand and express it in a design. I understand the need to share the guts of vehicles between brands but I absolutely HATE the sharing of external design cues between DCX brands. It is disgusting and frankly, just LAZY." -HHC


One more thing to touch there. Chrysler like all multi-brand car groups, also share parts from the bin. Having been a designer for twenty-seven years it is often for the higher ups to have us redesign the style so the engineers can user box-part from other production vehicles.

Granted it is the engineers that have to make their parts work with our designs we are asked to make it, less difficult for them. This can affect the use of arch in a door, or the degree of rake to a B pillar, and so forth. Of course this all comes down to the bottom line, money!

Any case, the new Jeep could be worse I suppose it could have looked like a Caviler or an Aerostar! Enough with my 2-cents.

Ok guys, look at the "official" photo and that Detroit Free Press. What did I tell you, different front end and headlights plus the trim and rims are different.
This is cool looking. I like the classic Cherokee look and this looks like a modern version.
Finally the wait is over.

YES, THE OFFICIAL COMMANDER PICTURES ARE OUT:

www.xkjeeps.com

heres pics.

http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55075

did jeep owners ask for a seven seater with terrible design in these consumer clinics? this is horrible.

even if this or the current JGC wins peterson 4 wheel drive awards i still dont think it'll help sales to the mass market. c'mon only 4 wheelers read 4 wheeling mags.

im really scared about the designs lately. the JGC, Durango, Dakota are jokes when it comes to design. it's only downhill from here guys...

"the reviews on the new GC,not so wonderful"... wtf are you talking about. It won Petersons Four Wheeler of the Year and place first in the latest SUV comparo in Car and Driver.

HHC...tell that to Harley Earl. Didn't know we we're dealing with such high caliber design experts such as you exhibit yourself to be. We 'jes are plane 'ol jeepersz heeya......

Have you guys seen the new "Sahara" edition Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon at http://www.jeep.com/sahara/index.html
It's not a Jeep Sahara but a Sahara edition based on the new movie Sahara. For all those who didn't get the Tomb Raider edition now is your chance. I am not in the market for these special edtions but I do get a kick out of them from a maketing perspective. It's great to see Jeeps featured in adventure movies. I can relate to that more than a Hummer in a rap video.

I like the commander as a whole but i hate those head lights they lool like somone took the lights off the dakota, shrumk them, and put them on this thing.

Jeep basing their design on reactions from this site? You guys give yourself too much credit... its like a small town in Idaho deciding the presidential election. There are other motives behind this design.

It looks like the old Isuzu Trooper. They should stop wasting their time and get on with the Gladiator.

All the old school jeeper will not be buyers on new jeeps anyways. I bet they based the design of the commander off these postings....This could be a problem for jeep!!! I like the commander and if I keep making babys I might need one....SOON!!!

whining... like you yourself Malcolm are guily of in your own post...idiot

I find all the whining about the whining to be hilarious. It's called the internet... get over it. If you can't deal with the opinion of others you're better off unplugging.

First impression is that I like it. I will need to see it in person and see the specs, but it looks to be utilitarian. Is it ugly? Yeah... it's a Jeep.

See this is the problem when DCX listens to old school Jeepers.... a 2001 Cherokee grill on a 1973 Land Cruiser. You asked for the box and got it.

This photo is a photoshop fake,the commander will have round headlamps but very close in design, basically a full size jeep cherokee redefined. As for concept's, the commander concept was actually the 2005 jeep grand cherokee, there has not been a concept like this before...I would expect to see a different front headlamp treatment.

I am very confused on the reactions I have seen regarding this photo.

When the WK debuted, people said that it had lost its uniqueness and its classic Jeep looks. Some even complained that no seven-passenger version was available.

Others on this site have expressed disappointment because Beijing-Jeep still produces a (somewhat redesigned) Cherokee for sale in China that is not available in the US.

So then Jeep seems to listen to these complaints and develops a seven-passenger vehicle to fit in their lineup above the Grand Cherokee. They make it boxy like the Cherokee and Willys Wagon before it. They include the classic seven-slot grille on a utilitarian design... a utilitarian design much like the original Jeep SUVs had.

The result? People complain it's a land barge (even though it is only 10" longer than the Grand Cherokee). People complain that it looks too boxy and outdated.

All these reactions to a photo we can't even confirm IS what the new Commander will look like.



Also, to those complaining that no diesel is available while there is a V6 diesel available to export Jeeps... for the most part you can thank government regulations for this. Even the efficient C R D engine available on the Liberty Diesel is not available in all 50 states. This will most likely continue until low-sulpher diesel is widely available by 2006.