Really the only mules thus far for K8 we have seen this the few extended wheelbase Cherokees runnign around.

 

Nice find!

I find it funny how the new Ram mules have camo on them to make them look like the F150, but this is clearly a Jeep looking at the grille. Unless that's the idea...it's too obvious it's a Jeep, so it must not be a Jeep...

 

Exactly! I find it *really* interesting that the camo has 7 slots in the grille. It defeats the purpose of camo...unless the point is to misdirect us into thinking "K8" (which is somewhat of a known entity) instead of "Chrysler CUV" (about which we know nothing).

 

Its has to be the Chrysler... NO WAY they use Jeep slotted Camo.... those jokesters

 

Came here to post that. lol

 

Wow!! Finally new mules and signs that something is up.

 

There's swirly camo under the black cladding over the grill. Camo under camo. Oh...the INTRIGUE!!!

 

But it has trapezoid-ish wheel openings?! That points to Jeep. I'm just glad some plan is moving forward. We have to catch up to competition!

 

those look modified in the mule also.... must be fun working in that shop

 

The back looks like a PT Cruiser.

 

IF this is indeed a Chrysler, wow, they are actually going to show something next year. Nice.

 

The sides don't have that carved in look like the K8 Concept, current Grand Cherokee, or the Cherokee. Looks more like a Ford product.

 

It does, the camo is just hiding it. Look closely.

 

I can assure you this is the Jeep K8.

 

So they are getting rid of the 'window dip' below the side mirrors that is on the KL?
If so I'm glad for those places that get the K8. I never cared for the dip.

 

And what about the Chrysler redriderbob?
Any thing you can share on that front?

 

Good to know this is the K8, not the Wogneer. it may look ugly.

 

Wagoneer will have a similar side profile... but will be much bigger.

 

They can throw a front Jeep looking camo on anything. Ill bet its the Chrysler CUV.

 

For the second time, it's not!

 

Let's get back on topic about DT...

K8 is a different vehicle than Cherokee KL. Just shares underpinnings... its like the difference between Grand Cherokee and Durango... except both vehicles are for the same brand.

But this K8 won't be sold in the US correct?
Wasn't there going to be a Chrysler version of the K8 for the US?

 

Here are the spy shots, compared to the patient drawings FCA US submitted last year for the design. First of all, let me say this... K8 is a totally different look than the upcoming Chrysler midsize CUV that will debut in the 2020 model year. K8 is not the actual name of this Jeep. K8 is simply the platform designation similar to how Cherokee has the designation KL here in the NAFTA market (the Cherokee that is currently produced in Changsha, China is codenamed K4 instead of KL).

Jeep K8 is basically a Cherokee with a few inches to the wheelbase and an upright body to allow for a third row. A similar design was made in 2006 on the Grand Cherokee, you know that vehicle as the 2006-2010 Jeep Commander XK. K8 has a main purpose of being a global Jeep to slot above the Cherokee. The reason being in China and other countries that the Jeep Grand Cherokee is exported to, charge huge tax tariffs on the vehicle causing it to be priced extremely high. A Grand Cherokee Flagship Glory model (our Overland model here) is over $125,000US with a 3.6L Pentastar which stickers starting at $44,995US here. This causes vehicles like the Grand Cherokee to a premium priced vehicle and they just sit on lots. Four years ago, FCA offered rebated equal to $10,500US off Grand Cherokee models on lots in China and it still didn't push sales.

So with Jeep wanting to expand to more word markets, building a three-row CUV based off the Cherokee is a no brainer. It will slot in where the Grand Cherokee currently does in some markets and being built in China allows it to be free of Chinese tariffs dropping the price. It also opens up capacity for JNAP (Jefferson North Assembly Plant) where the Grand Cherokee is produced. This vehicle will be key for the China and India market, as well as markets like Brazil and other countries in South America.

From what we have heard from many of our sources, is that Chrysler in the next couple of years will be pulling back to just the NAFTA (US, Canada and Mexico market) and building vehicles strictly for that market. Dodge might be filling the gap in certain countries where vehicles like the Chrysler 300 is currently the only vehicle sold, like Australia and New Zealand. Chrysler will be getting four to five new vehicles in the next five years. Two of them will be coming in the 2020 model year, and both will be CUVs. One is more than likely the new full-size CUV from the Windsor Assembly Plant and will carry many of the underpinnings of the current Chrysler Pacifica and it's powertrains. This vehicle will only come after the 2019 model year finale of the RT platform Dodge Grand Caravan is finally axed due to not meeting regulations after the 2019 model year. The other vehicle will be a midsize CUV based on the same chassis and underpinnings as K8 and built alongside its platform sister the Cherokee (KL) at the Belvidere Assembly Plant.

The Chrysler midsize CUV will be a three row vehicle like K8. This vehicle will be a direct replacement our sources say for the current Dodge Journey (JC) as the Journey will share the Grand Caravan's fate after the 2019 model year not being able to keep up with the new federal safety regulations. The Journey will be discounted for what we have been told will be a midsize RWD/AWD based performance CUV based on the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio. This vehicle will not appear until 2020. But the Chrysler three row will move those Journey customers to the other side of the showroom under the Chrysler banner.

We know this midsize vehicle will be carrying Hurricane power as well as Pentastar power at it's launch. The Chrysler version will not have Stow & Go seating like the Pacifica or the full-size Chrysler CUV. However, it will have a AWD system should be shared with the Cherokee (KL). More than likely it would be the Active Drive I and Active Drive II systems. As for the Chrysler version styling, if you look back in this forum a month ago @Mike V. wrote a really good article about the future of Chrysler styling. Read that article, I even added a lot of information later in the post.

My sources have also told me that K8 will share at least the Active Drive I and Active Drive II 4X4 systems with the Cherokee (KL). However, we are hearing like the original Jeep Compass (MK49) the K8 might be an "Urban Jeep" and not have a Trailhawk trim model nor be Trail Rated. Until, we find out for sure we are saying it won't have a "Trail Rated" model but there is a chance that it could be absent from the lineup.

 

If the underpinnings were rear wheel drive based, that body would make a respectable XJ replacement. Looks like there is adequate cargo room. The back glass doesn't have that cargo robbing slope.

 

For those of you who are wondering just how dead on are the patent drawings from the real deal, before the launch of the 2011 Dodge Durango it's patent drawings were leaked and were shown to the public. Only difference was that the drawings still shown the original crosshair with Ram logo grille, before the decision to split Dodge and Ram had come into effect. Take a hook for yourself.

 

That thing is ugly.

 

Can anyone provide a link to Mike V.'s article on the future of Chrysler styling. I searched and couldn't find it. It is mentioned in the excellent post with the patent images of the large Jeep. Thanks.

 

So to sum up, redriderbob:

Jeep
- K8 for ASEAN and LATAM markets, 7 seat SUV, CUSW platform like the Cherokee. 2019 MY.
Jeep will see exponential sales growth in China and India with this SUV.

Chrysler
- Full-size SUV, shared platform/assenbly with Pacifica. Also with Stow & Go. Dodge Grand Caravan will be dead. 2020 MY, which means it arrives in 2019.
- Mid-size SUV, shared platform with K8, will replace the Dodge Journey. 7 seats but no Stow & Go. 2020 MY (arrives in 2019 then).

You're awesome. Kudos.

Now for a bit more speculation from my part.
Now you got me curious about the other 3 Chrysler vehicles (which I'm hoping are a full size and mid size sedan plus a compact SUV).
I won't try to squeeze more info out of you but now I'm also curious about what this new Full-Size FWD Chrysler SUV means for the Dodge Durango.

Although I bet that not only the new Dodge Journey but also the Durango and the Jeep Grand Cherokee will be Giorgio platform based.
This

 

Chrysler
- Full-size SUV, shared platform/assenbly with Pacifica. Also with Stow & Go...it arrives in 2019.

Oh, yeah

 

Scrambler (JT) - Based on JL platform

Is this the official name for JT?


Also, it's very enlightening to see that list with the platforms beside each one.

 

It seems to be the favorite amongst online forums... it even has it's own website...

2019+ Jeep Scrambler (JT) Forum – JeepScramblerForum.com – #1 Community for the 2019+ Jeep Scrambler (JT) Pickup Truck – News, Forums, Blogs, and More! (at http://www.jeepscramblerforum.com/ )

and harkons back to the 1981 to 1986 CJ-8 Scrambler...

But the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept looks more like it so they could use Gladiator as well (even though that was an Jeep SJ).

 

Wow, I wasn't expecting for so many confirmations... That way you take the fun out of speculating.

 

So, no cars that can get 40+? Abandoning smaller cars all together makes me nervous. Can't wait to see Jeep in 2 - 3 years, wow, that company will be amazing. Imagine the offers others will make to get Jeep.

 

The Giulia gets 24City 33Hwy and its mostly tuned for Performance. you can easily get about 40Mpg hwy without a "Small" car in the line up. anyway.. thats what Fiat is for (manual 500 gets 38MPG with the 1.4l, imagine what a hurricane 4 could do.

 

I really hope they keep the 300... It's a great flagship for the brand.
And I think that they finally understood the importance of halo cars for each brand like the Challenger Hellcat/Demon, the Giulia and Stelvio Q...

 

You forgot in the 5 list

+ Chrysler Pacifica
+ Dodge Viper
+ Ram Promaster
+ Ram Promaster City

And there was also

+ 3 Alfa Romeo
+ 4 Fiat

 

Well damn. I was hoping the grand wagoneer would be HD (as in heavy duty) based. Lol