Three-Row Jeep Patent Hints at Something Big in the Works

Could these seven-seat, three-row SUV renderings be a production version of Yuntu concept?

It appears that the Grand Cherokee SRT isn’t the only thing that Jeep has been busy cooking up.

Yep, these patent drawings for a three-row SUV make that pretty clear.

According to Motor Authority, the renderings were discovered in an intellectual property database of Europe’s Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (OHIM). That pretty much means that Jeep is taking the preliminary steps to bring whatever this is to life.

What is it? Well, our initial thought was that the drawings must be some kind of design elements for the new Grand Wagoneer. But as Motor Authority points out, the vehicle’s longer overhangs and lower road profile suggest that it’s more fit for on-road driving than off.

CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About These Renders

In fact, Motor Authority seems to think that the renderings are actually preliminary plans for a production version of the Yuntu plug-in hybrid concept that debuted earlier this year at the Shanghai Auto Show. And when you look at the vehicles side-by-side, you can clearly see the similarities. Just look at the vehicle’s low approach angle detailed in the sketches.

If the Yuntu does go into production, it’ll probably be sold exclusively in China. If so, we’re sure there’ll be more than a few upset Jeep fans here in the States. That’s especially true given all the next-gen high-tech features found in the Yuntu.

Then again, we can’t imagine some of that Yuntu technology not winding up in the Grand Wagoneer when it makes its official debut down the road.