We can tell you right up front, you won’t be able to get one here, yet, but the Renegade Hard Steel Jeep concept showcar that will debut next week at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show – complete with a matching trailer component – will certainly generate a lot of interest among Jeep fans in North America.
The Renegade Hard Steel is a collaboration between Jeep brand and the Mopar brand coordinated by the FCA Style Centre. The Hard Steel concept is based on the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk – which is the very capable off-road version of the new (smallest) Jeep. Jeep says that the intent of this showcar is to “explore” and gauge the potential of a Hard Steel model that could provide a range of customization options that may well become part of future Mopar accessories dedicated to the new Renegade.
Jeep refers to the exterior styling package as being a “technological” reflection of cutting-edge aviation and/or marine technology. The Brushed Steel exterior of the Hard Steel uses a matte black color contrast for many of the features such as the grille, roof bars, mirror covers, 16-inch alloy wheels, side rubbing strips, hood air vents, fenders and bumpers.
That “technological” theme carries to the interior where the Brushed Steel treatment accents the frames of the air conditioning vents, gearbox, glove compartment and audio speakers. Additional style accent details are provided by light grey tone stitching of the seats, the door panels and the Trailhawk logo embroidered on the headrests. Jeep also points to the use of very special Frau Century lead-colored leather which they refer to as an absolute novelty in the automotive field.
With its Trailhawk roots, the Renegade Hard Steel is also equipped with larger BF Goodrich All Terrain tires, a raised suspension and a skid plate engraved with “Trailhawk”. Other original Mopar accessories include a Mopar grille and opaque black mirror covers, black running board, floor mats and a towbar.
The addition of the Renegade Hard Steel Trailer presents a very interesting opportunity to custom match a trailer to the Renegade – able to offer a range of recreational or other possibilities in a compact unit well within the 2,000 pound tow capacity of the Renegade. Styled to reflect the architecture of the rear quarter of the Renegade itself, it even includes a gas cap cover just above the wheel well – the use of which was not explained, but might well be a power or other hook-up access for accessories built into the trailer such as the flatscreen TV set up shown in the pictures.
Jeep will certainly tell us more when they pull the wraps of the new Renegade Hard Steel next week. We will let you know what we hear.
Source: Jeep
