The storied bloodline of the Jeep Wrangler

Jeep wrangler trio 2025 hero

Jeep design lead Vince Galante looks back on the history of the Wrangler and how the brand has continued to update it for the modern era 

Trace the lineage of any long standing vehicle back to its roots, and a myriad of changes will render the latest model practically unrecognisable. Over the years, trends such as vehicle lightweighting and engine downsizing have necessitated significant design developments, and now digitalisation and electrification are currently doing the same. The Jeep Wrangler, however, is an exception to the rule.

Vince Galante_VP_JeepExteriorDesign

Vince Galante, VP of Jeep design

From its inception as a military vehicle in 1941 for the US army to the fifth-generation model that is still rolling off production lines today, the Jeep Wrangler has evolved but clearly retains many of its original design concepts. Car Design News sat down with vice president of Jeep design, Vince Galante, to talk about the creation of the Wrangler, the impact of its history on the wider design industry, and what the future holds for the model.

CDN: What is your relationship with the Wrangler as a designer? Have you worked on many iterations of the model?

Vince Galante: The Jeep Wrangler is an icon and to…

This content is available to subscribers only   |   Sign in

Get unlimited access to Car Design News

Unlock exclusive design knowledge, inspiration & connection.

Essential Trial

Trial

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Access Interior Motives magazine in digital page turner format

30-days free

Then $16 per month

Billed as $194 annually

Start trial

Other currencies: £149 / €179 annually

Available to new subscribers only

Essential Plus

Essential

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Activate a 20% discount on the annual Car Design Review yearbook

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges

$22 per month

Billed as $259 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £199 / €239 annually

Premium

Premium-svg

Includes:


Knowledge

  • Keep up-to-date with new car and who's where news exclusives
  • Discover the latest design thinking with design leader interviews
  • Stay ahead of the curve with design trend report articles and livestreams
  • Access deeper insights with trend report whitepapers

Inspiration

  • Step inside leading design studios with our 'inside the studio' series
  • Read in-depth reviews of the new and influential vehicles
  • Discover cutting edge designs from other design disciplines
  • Receive 2x print editions of Interior Motives per year
  • Receive 1x annual copy of the Car Design Review yearbook
  • Activate a 25% discount on additional Car Design Review books

Connection

  • Take part in subscriber only design challenges
  • Participate in subscriber only online workshops

$32 per month

Billed as $389 annually

Subscribe today

Other currencies: £299 / €359 annually

 

Explore more subscription options.

 


Need help?


For help with individual user subscriptions please contact:

Eric Ng
Eric.Ng@ultimamedia.com

For help with multi user subscriptions please contact:

Angela Yang
Angela.Yang@cardesignnews.com

 

Sign in     Forgotten password