With an 80-inch-wide chassis and 123-inch wheelbase, the Jeep Rescue is built for anything thrown its way. The front hydropneumatic (airbag) suspension combines with the heavy-duty link-coil rear suspension to give the Rescue solid footing on all terrain. The suspension has adjustable ride height and an additional 4-inch lift available for fording. The 37-inch tires feature an MTR tread and run-flat capability, negating the need for a spare. Onboard tire-pressure control allows the driver to tune tire pressures for maximum traction on all surfaces.
Under the hood, you'll find the same Cummins turbodiesel that powers heavy-duty Rams. With 300 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque on tap, there's enough power available for the most demanding search-and-rescue efforts. Rising fuel prices make a turbodiesel's overall efficiency a tempting addition to a truck or SUV. Expect that future Jeeps, including the all-new 2005 Grand Cherokee, will have a turbodiesel option domestically by as early as 2006, when low-sulfur diesel fuel is expected to be available in all 50 states.
No concept would be complete without an assortment of trick features, and the Rescue is no exception. In addition to the underchassis camera rig, the Rescue's list of added features includes a trick 10kW AC electric-power generator for field use, 3D topographical mapping software and topographical navigation system, passive infrared (thermal) cameras for search and rescue, satellite-linked telephone, VHF radio, digital video recorder with satellite transmission capability, four-point retractable harnesses for all vehicle occupants, exterior perimeter lighting, white LED lighting for long-distance visual search and reduced power use, folding seats in the rear of the vehicle, and twin winches, front and rear, integrated into the bumpers. Together, these features give the Rescue unequalled rescue capability.
At the Detroit Auto Show, primary interior designer Dan Zimmerman, senior designer, Jeep Product Design Studio, said, "We were able to push the envelope of the design by bringing in elements of extreme off-road enthusiasts with the design of industrial equipment or power tools." Two examples are the seats and the advanced sat-nav system. "We studied many different off-road seat applications before creating the final design," says Zimmerman. "I studied the air-ride seats in tractor-trailer cabs, motorcycle seats, excavating-equipment seats, and mountain bike suspension. The seat base utilizes adjustable mountain-bike shock absorbers to help dampen the ride when the terrain gets rough.