The Renegade is one of those concepts every designer wants to create: a back to basics, futuristic recreational car for young people. And we've seen Jeep concepts before, several times, that tick some of these boxes. But this is not to suggest that this concept should be lightly dismissed.
Exterior designer Anton Shamenkov took us through how the design was inspired by the original Willys in its basic simplicity, in the openness at the sides and in the rear fender line. He also told us how the car was conceived as part of a water-sports lifestyle and has two integrated sea scooters at the rear.
At the front, the ‘frog eye' lamps are set in black pods on the hood, while the side is dominated by the graphic of the door shut line and the aperture within the door. Picking up from the door shut line is the Willys-influenced rear fender and at the rear are two simple round lamps with a white cross graphic - first seen on the Jeep Hurricane concept from 2005.
Inside, the water sports theme continues with neoprene seats and a few other interior elements that are also waterproof. Scott Anderson, the interior designer, took us through some notable innovative features such as the soya foam IP that is cut out on both sides to expose the structural beam and provide some additional storage. There is also a steering wheel hub selector for the four wheel drive and Jeep's version of Land Rover's hill decent (called ‘engine brake'), and canvas pull straps for the door openers - a lovely detail.
Maybe one day Jeep will go ahead and make something like the Renegade. Or perhaps they'll just carry on tantalizing us with funky concepts every year or two...