New Jeep Grand Cherokee Concept Revealed

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A new concept revealed at the Houston Auto Show this week showcases a concept vehicle based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Jeep will be hosting an online contest to name the new vehicle.

The person who chooses the winning name for the new concept will have the opportunity to win a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee as a thank-you for their help. That's quite the prize if you can pen a good name for the new vehicle.

The concept is a production-intent SUV based on the tried-and-true Grand Cherokee nameplate under the new Laredo X package. Its distinctive features include a black grille with chrome under-mesh, matching chrome fascia applique, and more black on the headlamp bezels and lift gate light-bar along with 20-inch high-gloss black aluminum wheels. In fact, black is a definite styling point on this new Jeep, with tinted windows and a dark, glossy color scheme.

It's decidedly Vader-like, in fact, and may be well-named with a moniker such as the "inVader" perhaps.

Inside, the concept includes standard leather-trimmed seats, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, a 9-speaker sound system with subwoofer (totaling 506 watts), Jeep's Parkview rear backup and ParkSense rear-park assist systems, Keyless Enter-N-Go, and the Chrysler Group's Uconnect hands-free communications system.

Jeep has not made it clear what they will do with the production vehicle, but it would likely be a limited edition, luxury model rather than a full-line production vehicle. Because of its Laredo X heritage and fittings, it would not be difficult for the new concept to be produced.

Those interested in naming the new Jeep can do so at Jeep.com/namemyride.