DaimlerChrysler's Jeep Division Introduces Experimental Jeep Journey
11 February 1999
DaimlerChrysler's Jeep(R) Division Introduces Experimental Jeep Journey CHICAGO, Feb. 11 -- Today, DaimlerChrysler's Jeep(R) Division
introduced the all-new Jeep Journey, an experimental vehicle, at the Chicago
Auto Show. Journey is based on the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee -- 1999 North
American Truck of the Year -- combining "The Most Capable Sport-Utility Ever"
with cutting-edge Magellan(R) communication and navigation equipment.
Although there are no current plans to market it, the Jeep Journey is fully
functional. The Magellan products are available as after-market systems.
"The Jeep team was given the task of designing a luxury 4x4 true to the
Jeep heritage of legendary on- and off-road capability, equipped with
extraordinary technological innovations and enough storage for an extended
off-road trek," said Martin R. Levine, DaimlerChrysler Corporation's
Vice President Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep Division. "Incorporating
the Magellan products ensured that the driver and passenger are able to stay
in touch with their home and the office, even under the most extreme
situations. For true journeys without boundaries."
The Jeep team based its design on the award-winning 1999 Grand Cherokee
with the 235 horsepower 4.7-liter PowerTech V-8 engine and Quadra-Drive(TM)
four-wheel drive system. On the exterior the design team applied Patriot Blue
Pearl Coat high gloss paint over low gloss paint on fascias and bodyside
cladding and added a custom brush guard and rally mesh covers for the grille
and head, fog and tail lamps.
Front and rear skid plates, tubular rock rails and integrated front and
rear Warn winches prepare the Jeep Journey for extreme off-road use.
Seventeen inch high gloss chrome wheels with 235/65 R17 Goodyear Wrangler HP
Extended Mobility (run-flat all-terrain) tires and a customized roof rack with
stylized wind deflector and integrated front and rear high-intensity
spotlights round off the exterior treatment.
On the inside, the Jeep design team used two-tone Deep Royal Blue and
Taupe trim, brushed aluminum inlays on the instrument panel and doors, and
seats covered with Deep Royal Blue leather with Royal Blue woven cloth
accents. Journey-embroidered floor mats complete the interior appearance.
A rear storage module contains enough compartments and bins to handle
clothing and gear, while other bins contain a Hi-Lift jack and tool and first
aid kits.
Enhancing the interior is cutting-edge navigation and communication
equipment provided by Magellan. Not for sale until May of 1999, but already
fully functional in the Jeep Journey is Magellan's state-of-the-art 750NAV(R)
vehicle navigation system.
"This all-new system represents a tremendous technological leap forward in
terms of capability and performance," said Richard Eklund, brand manager
Magellan Driver Information Systems. "It takes in-vehicle navigation and
driver information technology to a new level of user friendliness and
functionality. We are delighted that DaimlerChrysler's Jeep Division is
showing our newest system in the Journey, the next level in sport-utility
capability."
With the 750NAV, the driver simply enters a street address, or selects
from a menu of destinations that includes hotels, restaurants, tourist
attractions and more. No CDs are needed. The system provides turn-by-turn
visual and audio directions to the destination. A special feature allows the
driver to navigate even where there are just off-road tracks by using GPS-
waypoints to position the vehicle.
In addition, Magellan's 750NAV system in the Jeep Journey is a true mobile
multi-media center, coupled to a laptop computer in the luggage area, a remote
keyboard on the passenger side and a color printer/fax machine in the rear
center armrest. The system has a high-resolution, ultra-bright full-color
touch screen display on top of the dashboard.
To make Jeep Journey even more versatile for its driver and passengers,
the vehicle comes equipped with two Magellan ColorTRAK(R) handheld GPS systems
for hiking and boating, an integrated cellular phone with hands-free
operation, a satellite-based world phone, TravelNote voice messaging and an
interface with the ORBCOMM(R) network for mobile e-mail capability.
With the experimental Journey, DaimlerChrysler's Jeep Division created the
most capable mobile office ever and a fully self-sufficient trek vehicle.
Jeep Journey Specifications
Jeep Journey is an experimental vehicle not intended for sale. All
specifications are subject to change.
Base Vehicle
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4.7-liter PowerTech V-8 Engine
235 bhp (162 kW); 295 lb-ft (390 N-m)
Multi-Speed Electronically-Controlled Automatic Transmission
Quadra-Drive 4WD System
1999 North American Truck of the Year
Journey Special Features - Exterior
Patriot Blue Pearl Coat
Rally Mesh Covers for Grille and Head, Fog and Tail lamps
Custom Roof Rack
Custom Brush Guard
Front and Rear Skid Plates
Tubular Rock Rails
Warn XD9000 Integrated Front and Rear Winches
Goodyear Wrangler HP EMT 235/65 R17 Run Flat All-Terrain Tires
17" High Gloss Chrome Wheels
Journey Special Features - Interior
Two-Tone Deep Royal Blue and Taupe Trim
Brushed Aluminum Inlays on Instrument Panel and Doors
Deep Royal Blue Leather and Woven Cloth Seats
Journey-Embroidered Floor Mats
Rear Storage Module with Hi-Lift Jack, Tool and First Aid Kits
Magellan 750 NAV/ORBCOMM Integrated GPS/Navigation/Weather Data System
with Touch Screen Display
Laptop Computer with Remote Keyboard and Color Printer/Fax
Magellan ColorTRAK Handheld GPS systems (2)
Integrated Cellular Phone
Satellite World-Phone
