In this week’s post:
- Whispers about the return of the Jeep Comanche?
- Should we send Andre back to Australia?
Will Stellantis bring back the Jeep Comanche?
Q (AskNathan@TFL.com) RE: Return of the Jeep Comanche?
Hi Nathan!
And now my second question. It’s about the Jeep Comanche. Or the return of the Jeep Comanche I should say. That’s because I saw an older video where you guys bought one and it was so sweet. Then I saw another video where you drove a concept in Moab. It was so cool that I looked around the net to see if there was any possibility of Jeep building one for real.
Nothing solid I should say. It kind of makes me sad. Do you know about any possibility of a Comanche or something?
Thanks again,
– J. Lue Los Alamos
A: Your timing is interesting, based on some whispers I’ve recently heard.
As some of you may or may not know, Ram is very interested in competing in the midsize pickup truck market. As such, the South American Ram Rampage is being seriously considered for this market. I mention Ram because the rumor about more than one badge on the truck seems to have some legs (at least, logically).
Now, the Rampage isn’t a serious off-road vehicle, but neither is the overseas Avenger, or the Compass for that matter. It has a four-banger, is front-wheel-drive-bias and has no real low-range. At least, in its current form. Things could change, and there are a ton of rumors about the 4Xe system proliferating “new” Jeeps heading to the market.
“With the continuous expansion of the 4xe technology across our entire portfolio, we are redefining freedom and adventure in a way that only the Jeep brand can. By the end of 2025, our full lineup will be electrified, including four all-electric vehicles competing in the heart of the marketplace.”
Jim Morrison, (former) head of Jeep brand North America.- Sep 2022
While Jeep may follow the crowd and slow-up a bit on creating an all-electric fleet so soon, the 4xe hybrid tech is sure to be part of the deal. I could see a product that gives you a PHEV, pickup truck bed, and some off-road capability in the Comanche (if that’s what they call it… IF it’s even built).
Still, it’s not like a Gladiator, which is purpose built to be a rugged, off-road pickup. Honestly I think it’s all about the name badge, and sales. All of that makes sense, especially for the bean counters.
We will keep an eye on this story!
— N
The last question revolves around my Amigo Andre – and his Australian adventure!
Q: (Via: AskNathan@TFL.com) [RE: Andre in Australia]
Hi, Nate:
Looking back on the 2019 press launch of the Hyundai Venue in Australia, I couldn’t help but laugh when Andre of TFL and Sofyan of Redline had high anxiety and confusion when the steering wheel and window switches were on the right, the gear lever, handbrake, and radio were on the left, and the wiper and turn signal levers were reversed.
And looking at the full-size pickup trucks now exported from the US in left-hand drive and remanufactured to right-hand drive in the Land Down Under, like the RAM 1500, Chevy Silverado, Ford F150, and Toyota Tundra, I wonder how Andre and Sofyan will fare if they go out on an Australian road trip in one of them?
Assuming the food there is good beyond the Vegemite on toast, that is.
Jonathan
Langley, BC, Canada
A: That is one epic message!
Yea, I would love to see Andre headed on another adventure down under. He’s one of the best fish-out-of-water hosts we have. Sofyan is a long time friend of TFL Studios – and I think he’s more mellow about the trappings of traveling in places like Australia, but it would be entertaining to see.
We’ve talked about hitting other countries to examine what they have (vs. what WE don’t), and it’s especially compelling to hit a place like Australia. As such, I volunteer to be Andre’s guide – because he needs an intellectually stable, humble and worldly traveler like me to back him up.
I’m pretty sure Andre and I can choke down a few Vegemite sandwiches – if it means we get to explore hidden treasure!
Thanks again for the email!
– N
