Jeep Developing Range Rover Fighter

Jeep wants to move upmarket with a luxury model.

Bloomberg reports that the American automaker is developing a luxury SUV that will target Range Rover and even Mercedes-Benz’s SUVs. Although the brand is often associated with off-roading and rugged durability, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne believes there’s a missed opportunity by not offering a luxury model. “When I see Range Rover on the street, my blood boils, because we should be able to do a thing like that,” Marchionne said. “And we will.”

Currently the most expensive Jeep is the Grand Cherokee, that starts at around $30,000 and tops out around $60,000 – a far cry from the Range Rover models that can reach $100,000. The company plans on bringing the Grand Wagoneer nameplate back by 2018, but the Range Rover fighter would sit above that model.

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The luxury SUV wasn’t outlined in the company’s five-year plan that was laid out last year, so don’t expect to arrive before 2019. Marchionne did confirm that it is in the works and it’ll be interesting to see if there’s a place for a luxury Jeep in the market.

[Source: Bloomberg]

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