A new report finds that GMC is considering developing a rugged-looking SUV aimed squarely at the next-gen Jeep Wrangler.Sources close to the automaker reportedly told the Wall Street Journal that executives are meeting with dealers nationwide to get their input on such a model. Although the project is still at the embryonic stage of development, the SUV will reportedly feature a muscular look that will borrow styling cues from members of the defunct Hummer brand. It is too early to tell what platform it will ride on but it will likely need to be body-on-frame in order to match the Wrangler’s off-road chops.
The idea of taking on the Wrangler isn’t new at General Motors. Hummer introduced a concept called Hx (pictured) at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show that hinted at what a Wrangler-fighting open-top SUV could look like. The Hx was well received by the press and the public and insiders have suggested that GMC’s Wrangler fighter could pick up where the concept left off.
When GMC will decide whether or not to move forward with the project is up in the air. If built, GMC’s Wrangler-punching SUV is not expected to land in showrooms until 2019 at the very earliest.