Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Won't Look Like The BMW X6

Forget that coupe-like styling.

For better or worse, it was the BMW X6 that introduced coupe-like styling to the SUV and crossover segments. It may not appeal to true off-road, SUV enthusiasts, but many automakers have copied this theme in order to broaden sales. Needless to say, it’s worked. With that in mind, will definitive SUV brands like Jeep adapt coupe styling for hot-selling models like the Grand Cherokee? Not likely. In a new interview with Motoring, Jeep’s head of international product planning, Adrian Van Campenhout, confirmed that an X6-styled Grand Cherokee is not in the cards.

A redesigned Grand Cherokee is due to arrive sometime in 2017 and is expected to retain its definitive Jeep looks. However, this doesn’t mean that Jeep hasn’t ruled out three-door versions with sportier styling of existing smaller models. Take the Renegade, for example. There are rumors that Jeep is planning an even smaller three-door model slotted below the Renegade. Both could be given coupe-like styling in order to broaden the brand’s appeal, especially in Europe. But we can expect for the next-gen Grand Cherokee to still look very much like a true Jeep.

Bentley Mulsanne Grand Convertible Enters Production

Each car will be built to the customer’s specification, so all 19 examples will be truly unique. After dropping its top, you’re presented with the GrandConvertible’s wooden tonneau rear deck made from dark-stained burr walnut,which is the largest piece of wood veneer ever used in a Bentley. Like manyelements of the cabin, it was inspired by luxury power boats. The cabin is as opulentas you would expect: the leather is made up of 14 hides in a diamond quiltingpattern. Contrast stitching matches the exterior color, and contrasting Belugaleather is applied to the tops of the doors. Prices are rumored to start at an eye-watering $3.5 million, but Bentley hasn’t confirmed this.

The Grand Tour's James May Can't Be This Stupid In Real Life

He only plays stupid on TV. Hopefully.

The auditions continue for The Grand Tour’s new driver following the (welcomed) departure of The American. So far, Mark Webber and a stunt man auditioned for the gig and both had their obvious faults, to say the least. It was Clarkson who recommended Webber and Hammond figured the stunt guy was a clever idea. Today is James May’s turn. Does he put forth another celebrity driver? A professional race car driver? A professional driver of any sort? Nope.

May figured his candidate needed to be someone with real-world experience, outside of fame.That candidate is a car thief. Captain Slow’s reasoning is that the guy knows how to properly drive a car while going fast. It’s a fair assumption, at first, but everyone knows this would never go well. And it doesn’t.

The BMW M4 CS the car thief is given for his audition never crosses the finish line. Imagine why. For Amazon Prime’s sake, as well as that of BMW’s and his co-hosts, the real-life James May can’t be this stupid. Seriously? Give a car thief the keys to an expected $100,000+ high-performance car and expect him to simply return it? Please. Now that the three have each presented a new driver candidate, it’ll be interesting to see who actually ends up getting the gig. Needless to say, the three hosts weren’t helpful to the show’s producers for this particular task.