New Multipurpose Jeep J8

Jeep J8 multipurpose vehicle based on 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Back in the army

By Frank
September 14, 2007 12:57 PM
Filed Under: American, Jeep

Back in uniform

While all eyes are on Frankfurt this week, Jeep has unveiled the Jeep J8 at the 2007 DSEi (Defence Systems & Equipment International) show at the ExCel complex in London. The Jeep J8 is a multipurpose 4x4 vehicle specifically designed for military duty, be it for active or civilian government use.

In a recent spy photo article about the upcoming SEMA show Jeep JT Concept, readers Molotov and smokeonit1 pointed out that the test car was actually the J8 and we can now clearly see they were spot on! Thank you for the input!

Jeep's roots can be traced back to the Willys MA from 1941 which, according to Eisenhower, were a key factor in winning the second World War. The Willys evolved into the Wrangler, and today Jeep brings its next evolutionary step named the J8. The J8 is based on the new Wrangler Unlimited, but with a reinforced frame, leaf-spring rear suspension system, snorkel to allow a 762mm submersion and heavy duty bumpers with tow eyes for helicopter transportation.

Power comes from a 2.8 liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel (118 kW / 158 hp) and has 400 Nm torque with a towing capacity of 3500 kg, payload can mount up to 1339 kg. The J8 will be available as left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive, as a two-door with extended pick-up bed or four-door multipurpose vehicle and if its destination is the front line the J8 is fully armour capable.

Thomas Hausch, Vice President – International Sales: “The new Jeep J8 marks the brand’s return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use.” Production will take place in Cairo, Egypt and the Jeep J8 will be available starting spring 2008.

Source: Chrysler LLC

Press Release (Click to expand)

Iconic off-roader returns to its historic roots with multipurpose vehicle

Chrysler LLC today unveiled the Jeep J8 multipurpose vehicle at the 2007 Defence Systems & Equipment International (DSEi) military trade show, making the legendary vehicle available for reenlistment in active military service.

“Jeep vehicles made their original debut in 1941 for military duty, and have built their reputation with more than 65 years as the world’s benchmark for off-road capability and versatility for civilian and military vehicles,” said Thomas Hausch, Vice President – International Sales, Chrysler LLC. “The new Jeep J8 marks the brand’s return to vehicle production for military and civilian government use – the same capability that makes the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited famous also makes the Jeep J8 a truly multipurpose vehicle.”

With the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited as the starting point, Jeep engineers increased its capability and versatility. The frame of the Wrangler Unlimited is reinforced for increased ruggedness and to allow greater payloads – up to a maximum of 1,339 kg (2,952 lbs.). Axles, brakes and suspension components are engineered specifically for more demanding military and civilian government use, including utilising a leaf-spring suspension system in the rear. The J8’s Command-Trac® four-wheel drive system allows maximum versatility and performance in both on- and off-road conditions.

The Jeep J8 is powered by a 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine that produces 118 kW (158 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb.-ft.) of torque, providing towing capability of up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs.). The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The J8 also features a unique air-intake system with special filtration and a hood-mounted snorkel that enables the J8 to wade in water up to 762 mm (30 in.) deep and tackle sandstorm conditions for up to five hours.

Available as a two-door with an extended pickup bed for personnel or equipment transport, or a four-door multipurpose vehicle, it may be produced with numerous vehicle-body and seating configurations in either right-hand- or left-hand-drive.

While not designed for front-line combat operations, the Jeep J8 is fully armour capable and excels in a variety of duties ranging from command vehicle to troop/cargo carrier, ambulance, communications vehicle and other duties – also making it suitable for civilian government applications. Heavy-duty bumpers with tow eyes allow the Jeep J8 to be easily transported by aeroplane or helicopter.

The Jeep J8 will be produced in a Chrysler LLC joint-venture facility in Cairo, Egypt, and will be available in spring 2008.

Jeep in the military

In June 1941, the U.S. Army received its first shipments of the Willys MA, the rugged 4x4 vehicle that came to be called the Jeep. This predecessor to today’s Jeep Wrangler would prove so vital to the Allies’ World War II effort that General Dwight D. Eisenhower declared that the war could not have been won without the Jeep vehicle.

Jeep vehicles have been produced for various militaries around the world. The Jeep J8 marks the start of Jeep’s renewed commitment to supply the defence community with the highest-quality 4x4 vehicles available anywhere in the world.

email print digg facebook fark reddit delicious myspace

Comments

THERENAISSANCEMAN

September 14, 2007 10:51 PM

i like the the body shape a lot,together with the aerodynamically improved windshield structure as well as the radiator grille. but leaf spring rear suspension for a rugged- terrain vehicle ? this will result in a bone-jarring , kidney busting ride , I tell you ! for all the flak that it took the Humvee had 4 - wheel double wishbonesuspension system and its drivetrain was amply protected from any possible impact from below by virtue of its recessed position upwards of the vehicle's body. it had individually - mounted geared hubs to securely drive each wheel.furthermore, it had a designated multi-role central bay which could serve as a battlefield casualty stretcher slot, wireless communications array and various ordnance storage.the Humvee was sheathed in aircraft- grade aluminum body panels and was designed take punishing blows arising from vertical parachute airdrops together with low-altitude parachute extraction deployments. i am sad to say that the Humvee had eclipsed the Jeep in every performance criteria as its service record from the US invasion of Panama up to the present Operation Iraqi Freedom clearly attests . what Jeep needs is a radical rethink of its suspension geometry in order to cope better with the associated rigors of cross country-travel. it would also help to aero-optimise the shape of that front bumper which in its present form would only unnecessarily increase the coefficient of drag. same goes for the exploration in the field of clean-burning ,torque-rich turbodiesels to efficiently power your vehicle lineup. thank you.