The Most Capable 4X4 Ever Built: The Jeep Hurricane
by: Al Oberm
The Jeep Hurricane is a concept vehicle unveiled by
Daimler-Chrysler at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. It
opened with and continues to receive rave reviews! So many in fact that it
was rumored that Daimler-Chrysler was considering a limited production run
of the vehicle. Those rumors have died down, but the Hurricane continues to
draw the interest and attention of 4x4 afficianados, and hey, why not?
As Daimler-Chrysler has said: “Jeep Hurricane is simply the most
maneuverable, most capable and most powerful 4x4 ever built," said Trevor
Creed, Senior Vice President - Chrysler Group Design. "It pays homage to the
extreme enthusiasts' Jeep vehicles in form and off-road capability, but is a
unique interpretation of Jeep design. Simply stated, it is the extreme
example for the Jeep brand."
Why build such a vehicle? The Hurricane broadly successfully and
dramatically illustrates Daimler-Chrysler’s ingenuity, technical ability and
wherewithal. Still, the Hurricane does have practical applications out in
the real world. As a Daimler-Chrysler spokesman put it, "Out in the
wilderness, changing direction in minimal space can mean the difference
between an afternoon of adventure and a distress call back to the
trailhead…..The multi-mode four-wheel steering system on Jeep Hurricane is
designed to offer enthusiasts the next level of performance and unexpected
maneuverability." It’s not hard to imagine that we’ll eventually see a
military vehicle built off of this original design.
The Hurricane possesses an extremely powerful power system with not one but
two 5.7-liter HEMI engines, one in the front and one in the back. Both
engines deliver an impressive 335 horses for a total of 670 hp. The
Hurricane set-up uses the Chrysler Group’s Multi-Displacement System which
allows it to run on 4, 8, 12 or all 16 cylinders enabling it to adjust for
speed, power and torque giving the driver ultimate power train control. The
Hurricane is responsive and can go from 0 to 60 in less than five seconds!
The power is transferred through a central transfer case with split axles
and has a mechanically controlled four-wheel torque distribution system. The
suspensions, both front and rear, are short/long arm independent with 20
inches of travel, featuring coilover shocks with remote reservoirs.
One of the most impressive features of the Hurricane is its zero turning
radius, which enables the vehicle to turn virtually in a circle in place!
This is all thanks to a skid steer capability and toe steer, which is the
ability to turn both front and rear tires inward. The Jeep concept vehicle
has two types of 4-wheel steering: the traditional method with the rear
tires turning opposite of the front wheels and an innovative one in which
all four wheels turn in the same direction. This actually allows the Jeep
Hurricane to move sideways without changing where it is pointing.
Topping off all of this is the Hurricane’s fantastic ground clearance of
14.3 inches and impressive approach-departure angles of 64.0 and 86.7
degrees. It really is a go anywhere do anything vehicle.
The Hurricane also features an innovative way to combine body, power-train
and suspension. The suspension along with the power-train is mounted
directly to the one-piece carbon fiber reinforced body, eliminating the
weight and need for a frame. The vehicles belly is protected and connected
by an aluminum spine, which acts as a huge skid plate mechanism. This is a
lightweight and structurally strong set-up.
The general public wasn’t the only ones who loved what they saw. The Jeep
Hurricane won Autoweek’s “Most Fun” Concept award at the 2005 North American
International Auto Show. As we noted earlier there were rumors that
Daimler-Chrysler was toying with the idea of a limited production, but those
rumors have died down amid the company’s statement that this was indeed a
concept vehicle and that’s all (at least for now). Kids, however, will be
able to enjoy the Hurricane as Fisher-Price has introduced an all-new Jeep
Hurricane toy.
About The Author
Al is a Jeep enthusiast and an Internet Services Manager for one of the
leading Jeep Parts and Accessories retailers in the country, Xtreme Terrain
Concepts. Their site can be found at
http://www.xtremeterrain.com. In his spare time, Al likes to research
and learn the latest news and developments about the vehicles under the Jeep
brand.
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