Does the world need another Jeep?
With sales stagnating in Australia, is another Jeep the answer for the off-road giant that brought us legends like the CJ5, Thresher, Cherokee And fighter?
The internet is rife with rumors that Jeep’s Shortcut concept could actually go into production.
In reality, the Shortcut is a two-door Wrangler, shortened and lighter, directly recalling the company’s founding ethos of practical, simple yet thrilling off-road capability.
Jeep says the Shortcut has everything you need and nothing you don’t. So that means a car with no doors, no back seat and no spare tire, powered by a V6 engine in front of an automatic transmission, all sitting on Dana 40 axle assemblies.
But not only is it smaller and lighter, it also aims to have more features but most importantly, be more affordable. With the Shortcut, Jeep certainly cut some corners to make it happen!
Originally a concept vehicle at the 2016 Easter Jeep Safari at Moab in the US, Jeep brought the vehicle back to the same event in 2024, tantalizing Jeep fans and enthusiasts that this signals a new era for Jeep and possibly a new low-cost off-road vehicle.
Starting life as a two-door JK Wrangler, the Short Short is nearly a foot shorter and has a unique front grille design. It has significantly improved approach and departure angles, and as a short-wheelbase model, it offers excellent cornering ability.
The chassis has been shortened; The tub, fenders and bodywork, while seemingly Jeep-like, are all custom from the factory; and the fuel tank has been moved from the rear fender to the inside of the trunk.
Nathan and Tommy from Fast lane car said Jeep is famous for using the Easter Jeep Safari as an advertisement to introduce new models, and the fact that this concept was featured on both the 2016 and 2024 Safaris gives us a very strong indication that Jeep is seriously consider putting this model into production as a much more important product. Jeep is affordable, smaller and more powerful.
They went on to say “this is the little, cheap Jeep we’ve all been waiting for.”
The Shortcut weighs around 410kg less than a standard two-door Wrangler. The interior follows the overall concept of being extremely simple, with no fancy dials, screens, buttons or displays, and the utilitarian look matches the theme of a simple, lightweight, convertible Wrangler and cheap.
This concept is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar gasoline engine. This is a relatively small, light, and inexpensive engine that has performed well in several Jeep models since its introduction in certain Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep MY11 vehicles.
Being a shortened car, it also has a shortened exhaust that seems to have resonated with enthusiasts who say it has a rather unique growl, bringing the lazy 3.6 sound to life. a little more active. And it might also feel a bit lively considering the weight savings this car offers.
From the one-turn roll bar to the small, old-fashioned side mirrors, every element of the Shortcut is aimed at saving weight.
Speculation as to whether it could actually make its way into production centers around the need for airbags and certain types of doors to ensure that it meets current or even expected safety standards. which currently it does not exist or not.
Further speculation suggests a possible price range could be around US$30-40,000 (~A$44,000-60,000). For context, the Wrangler range opens in the US at US$31,995 (~A$48,000).
Ben Davidson, one of Australia’s leading Jeep enthusiasts and owner/editor of Jeep Action Magazine (the world’s only dedicated Jeep magazine still in print), takes a more cautious view.
“This 2016 JK Wrangler concept is inspired by the classic CJ5 of the 1950s, evident in its design lines and sturdy structure,” he said.
“The combination of modern features with the timeless nature of the CJ5 has created an outstanding vehicle that embodies the spirit of ‘less is more’, capturing the heart of Jeep’s iconic heritage in a compact and powerful package.”
But Mr. Davidson went on to say that while an idea like the Shortcut often creates excitement, manufacturing feasibility depends on many different factors such as market demand, production costs and requirements. juridical.
If there is significant interest and it aligns with Jeep’s strategic goals, there’s a chance it could go into production. However, whether it will be available in Australia depends on Jeep’s distribution plans and the demand for such a vehicle in the Australian market.
Equipped with 35-inch tires, the Shortcut might just be an affordable entry-level off-road revival for Jeep and an entry-level vehicle for new enthusiasts.
Is it really a new vehicle that we will see from the off-road legend? We don’t know, but it gets our vote because it’s an enthusiast’s dream and a much more suitable off-road product than the majority of overly complicated new vehicles we currently available on the market.
What do you think, should Jeep give it a try? Is this something that could help revive the Jeep brand and its sales figures?
