New Jeep Concept..

[rock hard]

I know it's not an XJ.. and dont know if it's a repost..

http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_detroit/jeep/hurricane/pages/1.htm

[Silverstreak01]

that thing is sick. jeep needs to get the ball rolling on these things haha

[MJR]

Two 6.1L Hemi engines (425hp each), two 5-45RFE transmissions, four differentials, etc... Pretty cool huh.

[Lore5]

That thing is crazy. How much do you think a production model would cost. Big $$$ baby

[DrMoab]

Yup just another stupid concept to show just how far DC is getting away from what a true jeep really is.
Wonder if its a hybred too.
Looks like all the IFS chevys with big lifts and stock TREs I see trying to climb Potato Salad.
Stupid stuid stupid.

[RichP]

It is a bit over the top but looks like it was based on the commando they had out a few years ago. It's to a point that I just hope they leave the TJ alone and keep it a true jeep with solid axles and I4 or I6 motors, simple and easy to work on. For the bucks the entry level TJ is a really good start that any new jeeper can mod add on stuff to his/her hearts content. Turn it into IFS puppy dog and I might as well just buy and escape and base my purchase on price only...

[DrMoab]

It is a bit over the top but looks like it was based on the commando they had out a few years ago. It's to a point that I just hope they leave the TJ alone and keep it a true jeep with solid axles and I4 or I6 motors, simple and easy to work on. For the bucks the entry level TJ is a really good start that any new jeeper can mod add on stuff to his/her hearts content. Turn it into IFS puppy dog and I might as well just buy and escape and base my purchase on price only...
thought the TJ was going to the Liberty V6 soon. Or is this just another jeep list rummor?

[RichP]

thought the TJ was going to the Liberty V6 soon. Or is this just another jeep list rummor?

I hope not, at least till I after I get mine....

[JohnJohn]

Looks like a knock off of this one they called "Willys"

http://www.autotrend.com/pic/9842.jpg

[biscuitboy87]

certainly a looker....
things like this will be the end of JEEP...and its loyal customer base...IMHO.

[bshaw]

what are we looking at again (scratch head)?

things like this will be the end of JEEP...and its loyal customer base...IMHO.
ditto

[UNCC_99XJ]

thought the TJ was going to the Liberty V6 soon. Or is this just another jeep list rummor?


I think the TJ's are staying with the straight 6. I know the GC's went with the 3.7 (not a bad motor IMO)

[explorer]

Looks to have portal hubs, and yet so little ground clearance. One of the biggest advantages to independent is the great clearance right down the middle. Nice tires though, lots of big blocks for me to carve up. Driveline seems a little complex.

[Geepfreak]

Looks like a knock off of this one they called "Willys"

http://www.autotrend.com/pic/9842.jpg

I want a Compass!!!!!
Wish they would put it out!

[JohnJohn]

Here is a decent link to see a few of them. http://www.autotrend.com/jeepconceptall.html

posters for $50? HA...anyway the pictures are decent

[BruteXJ]

The "Varsity"? Excuse me while I barf.

[scottsxj]

man i just saw that thing on NBC, wow that is sweet. They showed it turning on its axis. That brings a new meaning to doughnuts. Lol

[JeepinINdaXJ]

cool concept but can see it really getting bashed up on rocks. Maybe it is just because i have never seen somthing like that. Really like the rescue thought except for the carbon fiber body. The first tree i hit there goes everything.

[BLSXJ]

well I'll be going to NAIAS

so I'll post some pics of that and the gladiator!

but that wouldn't be for another 2 weeks

[MJR]

Looks to have portal hubs, and yet so little ground clearance. One of the biggest advantages to independent is the great clearance right down the middle. Nice tires though, lots of big blocks for me to carve up. Driveline seems a little complex.

Yes it does have Portal hubs. It's called the Hurricane. I like the "Thrill Rated" badge they made for the sides. It was pretty neat to see. I see they list it as 5.7L Hemi's but that tunnel ram intake is special for the new 6.1L as seen here.
http://www.autoweek.com/files/specials/2005_detroit/chrysler/srt8/pages/9.htm

[explorer]

cool concept but can see it really getting bashed up on rocks. Maybe it is just because i have never seen somthing like that. Really like the rescue thought except for the carbon fiber body. The first tree i hit there goes everything.

Lots of people can't see there XJ or other new Jeep getting all bashed up, me included. But within six months, my TJ had already kissed a couple trees, and lots more since then. You eventually get over it.

[aspera]

The Hurricane is outlandish. Good job Jeep. I know there will be plenty of naysayers, but dang!...the thing is a SIXTEEN cylinder Jeep with 4 differentials and portal axles! So what if is IRS, it isn't like Jeep is going to put the Hurricane into production.

What is important is what IDEAS Jeep will put into production that are showcased on the Hurricane. Did you notice the truck engines and 6 bolt truck wheels? Isn't this the first time portal axles have appeared on a concept Jeep? Noteworthy.

Now we know Jeep is going to continue with IRS/IFS, and we know that IRS/IFS is really easy to get wrong (from an offroad point of view). But the Hummer proved that IRS/IFS can work if done right, and the Hummer was engineered decades ago. Jeep may have found some ways to do it better.

The Hurricane uses 2 axles per axle (?). I mean that there are 2 front axles and 2 rear axles. Each axle can be smaller because (1) it only deals with 1/2 the torque, and (2) the portals do some of the gear reduction. That alone accounts for a major increase in ground clearance.

Also, the idea of side-to-side torque biasing is introduced. Imagine a single engined production version of the Hurricane with a transfer case that has 4 shafts coming out of it, 2 for the front and 2 for the rear axles. All front-to-rear and side-to-side torque control could be managed inside the transfer case. No more LSDs or lockers in the axles! It all gets crammed into the T-case.

And like the latest EVOs, STis, and Acura AWD cars, a computer can open or lock-up depending on sensor inputs. Braking, cornering, accelerating, uphill, downhill, tarmac, snow, gravel...the computer customizes the 4WD for road conditions. The better road manners the Jeep naturally has, the crazier it can be modded and still be streetable.

[OT]

That's great that it has portals, but what's the point? The ground clearance gained from portals is lost by the A arms. In that case the only other point would be for gear reduction, but that can be achieved by other means. Then again, I guess they used them so that they could have 4 wheel steering. However, there are other ways to achieve that without portals though. I guess I just don't see the point in the portals.

[MJR]

The Hurricane uses 2 axles per axle (?). I mean that there are 2 front axles and 2 rear axles. Each axle can be smaller because (1) it only deals with 1/2 the torque, and (2) the portals do some of the gear reduction. That alone accounts for a major increase in ground clearance.

I guess the proper term is four differentials. However they all need to be strong since all the power/torque can be directed to one wheel and the portals weren't really designed for that.

[explorer]

I don't know about four diffs(diffs split torque), but maybe four ring and pinion sets. The diffs are integrated in the t-case, and three would be the most needed. Portal hubs can increase clearance, even w/ independent susp. Look at a Hummer, the lower control arm is near hub level. Much higher than this prototype appears.

[MJR]

I don't know about four diffs(diffs split torque), but maybe four ring and pinion sets. The diffs are integrated in the t-case, and three would be the most needed. Portal hubs can increase clearance, even w/ independent susp. Look at a Hummer, the lower control arm is near hub level. Much higher than this prototype appears.

They have the ability to transfer power in any way they want. They can make the right go forward and the left go backward or transfer all to one wheel. The Hummer has no real clearance advantage near the wheel just down the center as can be seen here.

http://www.amgeneral.com/images/photo_gallery/low/40_INNatGd31.jpg

[aspera]

I guess the proper term is four differentials. However they all need to be strong since all the power/torque can be directed to one wheel and the portals weren't really designed for that.

Yeah, I didn't really know what to call them. They aren't really differentials either, since they don't equalize torque between the wheels. They are just boxes with gears inside. One shaft in, one shaft out.

You are correct about all of the torque being directed through them IF everything is locked 100%. Again, the portal gears get some of the stress and the 90 degree gearboxes get the rest.

Now about the lower arms: If a Jeep came with those, the first thing guys would do is make high-clearance ones or try to flip the stock ones. I guess you could mount skidplates to the bottoms of them, too. Whatever they don't clear...you just slide over.

[aspera]

If you look at all the Hurricane pictures, you'll see that the T-case skid is the same level as the lower A-arms. Now look at the picture from the rear and {with your mind} remove the lower A-arms for a second. How'd ya like THAT ground clearance?

From what it says, if you step on the gas then you get more lift. The propshafts push the tires into the ground. UH-HUH What happens if you do that in reverse? :wierd: s-q-u-a-t

[MJR]

Yeah, I didn't really know what to call them. They aren't really differentials either, since they don't equalize torque between the wheels. They are just boxes with gears inside. One shaft in, one shaft out.

You are correct about all of the torque being directed through them IF everything is locked 100%. Again, the portal gears get some of the stress and the 90 degree gearboxes get the rest.

Four gear drives would probably be the best description. They claim 100% of the power can be directed to one wheel. There is a flip side to portals and power. It can cause snap back to the drive line when transitioning from power to coast. Hummers do break axles but of course they weigh a lot. The Hurricane does use modified H1 portal boxes.

[Jeepin Jason]

when you guys are talking about the "lack" of clearance, keep in mind those are 37" tires. That thing's probably got more running ground clearance than anything with a D60 running 37's. I'm guessing that it's probably got around 14" of running ground clearance under those A-arms.

http://jeepin.com/news/hurricane/10.jpg

This thing is a pure concept anyway, just to see and show off what they can do. No production Jeep vehicle is going to have any carbon fiber body parts, or twin Hemi motors, or a drivetrain that complicated. Or 37" tires for that matter...

[Jeepin Jason]

fwiw, the "official" spec is 14.3" of ground clearance. (guess I need to read my press releases closer!)

some more details...
Wheelbase: 108.1 inches
Width: 80.0 inches
Track, Frt/Rr: 67.5/67.5 inches
Break-Over Angle: 31.5 degrees
Approach/Depart Angle: 64.0/86.7 degrees

[Weasel]

I think it's cool just to show what they can do. It will probably never make production(they did produce the Tomahawk though). I doubt any of the future Jeeps will have this suspension design and I pretty sure the Wrangler will stay solids axles. In one of the current 4x mags(don't remember which) they said someone in DC had said the KJ might get a solid axle when it's redone or replaced in 07/08. Doesn't make sence but thats what they reported and they also said the Wrangler was getting a V6, which would suck.

[Jeepin Jason]

Yes, the TJ is the last Jeep to have the 4.0L. The next gen Wrangler will use the V6.

On the KJ, I think that line will stop when the KJ's production run is up, and it will be replaced by two vehicles -- a 4-dr Wrangler-based wagon (think: Dakar) for the offroad crowd and a 4-dr "soft-roader" sport-cute to compete with the Escape and Rav4 for the mall crowd.

[Weasel]

That sounds more logical. Actually wouldn't mind seeing a the Compass concept being built. Would make a cool ralley vehicle.

I'd hate to see the 4.0 go, will have to try the V6 but doubt I would buy one.

[88flexj]

Look on the bright side, there will always be good old jeeps for sale with proven hardware.

[XJHOX]

Cool! But it would take all the fun out doing dounuts in snow covered parking lots.

[Brian Felts]

when cutting doughnuts at what RPM ,Jeep not engines,does this thing lift off and return to the mothership? :wierd:

[aspera]

Four gear drives would probably be the best description. They claim 100% of the power can be directed to one wheel. There is a flip side to portals and power. It can cause snap back to the drive line when transitioning from power to coast. Hummers do break axles but of course they weigh a lot. The Hurricane does use modified H1 portal boxes.

100% of one of the Hemis, right?

So if the Hurricane uses modified portals that are proven to be road worthy (civilian Hummer H1) then it might not be so pie-in-the-sky. A lighter vehicle with smaller tires shouldn't have to worry about the odd snap-back or axle breakage. Since the axle snap-back is caused by gears...couldn't it be cured by different gears? There are plenty of gears in transmissions, transaxles, transfer cases, and axles. Some have slack, some don't.

[MJR]

100% of one of the Hemis, right?

So if the Hurricane uses modified portals that are proven to be road worthy (civilian Hummer H1) then it might not be so pie-in-the-sky. A lighter vehicle with smaller tires shouldn't have to worry about the odd snap-back or axle breakage. Since the axle snap-back is caused by gears...couldn't it be cured by different gears? There are plenty of gears in transmissions, transaxles, transfer cases, and axles. Some have slack, some don't.

It can be run on just one or both of the Hemis. Both feed into the unique transfer case so it could be possible for the horsepower and torque from both to be used in any way.

I was just making a point that portal axle shafts can break and I have seen this on a fairly light weight rockcrawling buggy.