Middle East - A Legendary Icon: The Timeless Tale of Jeep® Adventure, Capability and Innovation

For over 75 years the Jeep_® brand has been indelibly linked to freedom, adventure, authenticity and passion - core values that are embedded in the DNA of every Jeep vehicle. Throughout its history, Jeep owners have learned that "Go Anywhere. Do Anything." is a way of life, not just a slogan and that the Jeep badge stands for more than just a brand - in truth, it's a badge of honour.

Jeep is the authentic sport-utility vehicle (SUV) with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. Today, the Jeep brand continues to deliver an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad line-up of vehicles that give owners the sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep story began way back in July 1940, when the U.S. military informed automakers that it was looking for a light reconnaissance vehicle with a very specific set of criteria: 600-lb. load capacity; a wheelbase less than 75 inches; height less than 36 inches; smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 miles per hour; rectangular-shaped body; four-wheel drive with two-speed transfer case; fold-down windshield; three bucket seats; blackout and driving lights; gross vehicle weight below 1,300 lbs.

Willys-Overland Vice President of Engineering Delmar G. Roos designed the Willys Quad, and prototypes were produced for testing in record time and delivered to the Army in the summer of 1940 - approval to build 70 sample vehicles was then granted and these were delivered in November 1940. The next round of contracts was issued in March 1941, with Willys producing a further1,500 Quads, and following further testing and evaluation the Army selected the Willys vehicle as the primary manufacturer.

With modifications and improvements, the Willys Quad became the MA, and later the MB. But the Army, and the world, came to know it as the Jeep. Some claimed that the name came from the slurring of the letters "GP," the military abbreviation for "General Purpose." Others say the vehicle was named after "Eugene the Jeep", a popular character from the Popeye cartoon strip. Whatever its origin, the name entered into American vocabulary and, for a while, served almost as a generic title for off-road vehicles.

Willys-Overland went on to build more than 368,000 vehicles, and the rugged, reliable olive-drab vehicle would forever be known for helping win a world war. Willys trademarked the "Jeep" name after the war and planned to turn the vehicle into an off-road utility vehicle for the farm - the civilian Universal Jeep. One of Willys' slogans at the time was "The Sun Never Sets on the Mighty Jeep," and the company set about making sure the world recognized Willys as the creator of the vehicle.

How many of these key historical Jeep civilian vehicles - and their model codes, some of which have become legends in their own right - can you remember?

The 1940's

Jeep CJ-2A: The first civilian Jeep vehicle, the rugged and versatile CJ-2A was marketed as "the all-around farm work-horse". It could do the job of two heavy draft horses, operating at a speed of four miles per hour, 10 hours a day, without overheating the engine, and was to serve agriculture and industry all over the world in a thousand different ways.

Willy's Wagon: America's first all-steel station wagon, the model 463 Jeep Station Wagon featured a three-tone paintwork that simulated the "woodie" look. The no-maintenance all-steel utility vehicle wasn't prone to weathering, peeling or squeaks like the old style "woodies" and its fold-down tailgate hatch was ahead of its time and can be credited with the origin of the "tailgate party". It was also available in commercial delivery formats - Sedan Delivery, Panel Delivery, or Utility Delivery - with enclosed back sides and vertical rear doors. When four-wheel drive was added in 1949, it became the forerunner of the Grand Cherokee (WK) and was in production for nearly 20 years - longer than any other contemporary American automobile of its day.

The 1950's

Jeep CJ-3B: The CJ Model was updated in 1953, becoming the CJ-3B, with a taller front grille and hood than its military predecessor in order to accommodate the new Hurricane F-Head four-cylinder engine. The CJ-3B remained in production until 1968 and a total of 155,494 were manufactured in the U.S.

Jeep CJ-5: 1955 saw the introduction of the CJ-5, with a rounded front-fender design. It was slightly larger than the CJ-3B, as it featured an increased wheelbase and overall length. Improvements in engines, axles, transmissions and seating comfort made the CJ-5 an ideal vehicle for the public's growing interest in off-road vehicles, and more than 600,000 were produced.

Jeep CJ-6: Featured a 20-inches longer wheelbase and offered more cargo space. A forward-control cab-over-engine variation was added in 1956. Both the CJ-5 and CJ-6 were equipped with heavier axles, bigger brakes and a wider track, and in 1965, a new "Dauntless" V6 engine was introduced as an option. This 155-horsepower engine almost doubled that of the standard four-cylinder engine, and it was the first time a Jeep CJ could be equipped with a V6.

The 1960's

Jeep Wagoneer / Grand Wagoneer / Cherokee (SJ): In 1962, Jeep introduced the Wagoneer - the father of all luxury 4x4 SUVs. Replacing the Willys utility wagon, the Wagoneer was designed to provide passenger-car styling, comfort and convenience with the advantage of four-wheel drive. It was packed with innovation and industry firsts - the first automatic transmission in a 4x4 vehicle; the first overhead-cam six-cylinder truck engine, the first 4x4 vehicle with an independent front suspension; the first automatic full-time 4x4 system. The revolutionary Quadra-Trac_® 4x4 system, introduced in 1973, was available in full-size Jeep trucks and wagons, and later in the CJ-7. The SJ line was in production for more than 28 years with only minor technical changes and when production ended, was the longest continuous automotive production run, on the same platform, in U.S. automotive history. The refined Super Wagoneer, introduced in 1965, was a true luxury 4x4 designed for the prestige buyer who desired rugged versatility with sedan comfort and many premium features including air conditioning, power tailgate, power brakes, power steering, seven-position tilt steering wheel, tinted windows, three-tone body striping, vinyl roof, padded vinyl roof with chrome roof-rack, full wheel hubcaps, white-wall tyres and a powerful 270hp V8 engine with console-shift automatic transmission - all as standard.

The 1970's

Jeep Cherokee (SJ): The new Cherokee was a sporty, two-door version of the Wagoneer and featured bucket seats, a sports steering wheel, and racy detailing designed to appeal to younger, more adventurous drivers. In February 1974, it became the first vehicle to win Four Wheeler magazine's Achievement Award that we know today as the Four Wheeler of the Year award.

Jeep CJ-7: The seventh generation of the original vehicle and the first major change in Jeep design in 20 years. It had a slightly longer wheelbase than the CJ-5 to allow space for an automatic transmission and featured squared-off door openings vs. the CJ-5's rounded door openings. In 1978, Mark Smith, widely known as the father of modern four-wheeling, took a group of 13 modern explorers from Tierra del Fuego, Chile to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska in their CJ-7's. The 21,000-mile trip took 122 days to complete and included a remarkable crossing through the Darien Gap, a stretch of hostile jungle that had only once before been crossed by the British military in 100 days with the loss of eight men. Smith and his men crossed the Darian Gap in 30 days and lost no one.

The 1980's

Jeep Cherokee (XJ): When the all-new XJ series made its debut in 1984, it scored an unprecedented sweep of the "4x4 of the Year" awards from three primary off-road magazines. A revolutionary vehicle, it was 21-inches shorter, 6-inches narrower, 4-inches lower, and 1,000 pounds lighter than the full-size Wagoneer (SJ) and was built with a revolutionary uniframe instead of a traditional chassis-and-frame. It was also the first vehicle with two available 4x4 systems - Command-Trac_® Part-Time and Selec-Trac_® Full-Time 4x4.

Jeep Wrangler (YJ): In 1983, the growing market for compact four-wheel-drive vehicles still sought the utilitarian virtues of the Jeep CJ series, but consumers were also seeking more of the "creature comforts" found in passenger cars. The response was to introduce the 1987 Jeep Wrangler (YJ). Although it shared the familiar open-body profile of the CJ-7, it contained few common parts with its famous predecessor, and mechanically had more in common with the Cherokee.

The 1990's

Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ/WJ): The Grand Cherokee (ZJ) replaced the Wagoneer as a mid-sized luxury SUV in 1992 and was a design class many automakers would rush to imitate. The first SUV equipped with a driver side airbag, it set new standards for on-road ride, handling and comfort in an SUV and proved immediately popular, winning dozens of awards, including Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year , Four Wheeler magazine's Four Wheeler of the Year and 4Wheel & Off-Road magazine's 4x4 of the Year in 2003.

Jeep Wrangler (TJ): Considered the ultimate escape machine, the TJ offered outstanding on-road handling and legendary off-road capability - it was the fifth Jeep brand vehicle to win the "4x4 of the Year" award. The new Wrangler had a retro-look very similar to the CJ-7 but was very different from a mechanical standpoint, with nearly 80% of its parts being newly designed. Starting with the basic Wrangler platform, Jeep engineers gave the Wrangler the most thorough overhaul since the Quad evolved into the MB.

The 2000's 

Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited (JK): In 2004, Jeep offered a "stretched" version of the TJ - the Wrangler Unlimited. 10-inches longer in wheelbase (103-inch) and 15 inches longer in overall length, the Unlimited offered two inches more rear leg room, more interior space, and greatly enhanced on-road handling. In 2003, the most capable Wrangler ever - Rubicon, made its debut and was followed by the Rubicon Unlimited in 2005.

Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK): 2011-present

In 2011 and more than 4 million sales after the first Grand Cherokee, Jeep improved the formula and delivered the perfect blend of on-road refinement and off-road capability plus legendary Jeep craftsmanship.

The latest generation Jeep Grand Cherokee - the vehicle that has long defined what a premium SUV should be - delivers an unprecedented combination of best-in-class fuel economy and driving range, a choice of leading powertrain options, legendary benchmark capability, world-class craftsmanship, premium on-road driving dynamics, and more than 70 safety and security features as well as an array of advanced user-friendly technology features, such as the award-winning Uconnect 8.4-inch (213.36 mm) touchscreen radio with integrated climate and infotainment controls, and 7-inch (177.8 mm) TFT customer configurable multiview display cluster.

The Grand Cherokee line-up also includes the Trailhawk, the most capable Grand Cherokee ever - equipped with a host of standard off-road capability features, including Quadra-Drive II with rear Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD) for all powertrains, a unique version of Grand Cherokee's Quadra-Lift air suspension - developed specifically for Trailhawk - that offers improved articulation and total suspension travel, as well as Selec-Speed Control with Hill Ascent Control.

Topping the range is the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, injected with an unmatched 707 horsepower courtesy of an awe-inspiring supercharged 6.2-litre V8 engine, which sees the most awarded SUV ever and the most capable full-size SUV on the planet transformed into the most powerful and quickest SUV ever.

Jeep Renegade (BU): 2014-present

The Jeep Renegade marked the brand's first entry into the small SUV market, with the Trailhawk version being the most capable small SUV ever. Jeep Brand designers took many cues from the iconic Wrangler with its legendary seven-slot grille, round headlamps and upright stance. Fresh new styling was infused with classic military themes including an "X" motif from the gas cans that were associated with Willys MB.

Jeep Cherokee (KL): 2014-present

The all-new 2014 Jeep Cherokee revolutionised the mid-size SUV segment when it was launched, and the latest 2019 model boasts a new, authentic, more premium design, more interior comfort and convenience, delivering everyday practicality with outstanding ride and handling characteristics, independent front- and rear-suspension systems with world-class body torsional stiffness, high-efficiency nine-speed transmission and more than 80 safety and security features. It also builds on its benchmark 4x4 capability and on-road dynamics with refinement and style, a host of new attributes, powertrains and the latest technology that is perfectly situated for consumers worldwide.

Jeep Compass (MP): 2018-present

The all-new Jeep Compass offers an unmatched combination of attributes that includes legendary and best in class 4x4 off-road capability, contemporary and authentic Jeep design, excellent on-road driving dynamics, open-air freedom and a full array of advanced user-friendly connectivity and safety technologies. Its economical, fuel-efficient 2.4-litre Tigershark petrol engine with MultiAir2 technology delivers 173 hp at 6,400 rpm, 237 Nm of torque and is paired to a nine-speed automatic gearbox. With a distinctive, contemporary design, wide stance and exceptional glass-to-wheel proportions, Compass is immediately recognisable as a Jeep thanks to characteristic traditional design cues, such as the seven-slot grille and the trapezoidal wheel arches.

The excitement and innovation keep coming from Jeep, the brand that never stops evolving and innovating.