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Engineering Solutions by Design News Talks 2 Main Challenges of Engineering the Jeep Grand Wagoneer
Jeep chief engineer Mike Uhmeyer tells Engineering Solutions by Design News about developing the Wagoneer work like a truck and drive like a car.
1 Min Read
Stellantis
The Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer are storied nameplates whose long-awaited revival might have had impatient fans wishing that Jeep's engineering team could hurry up. But chief engineer Mike Uhlmeyer explains that the Wagoneer's fans are the reason the team felt a responsibility to ensure that they did the job right.
Both versions of the Wagoneer are built on a body-on-frame chassis that delivers a best-in-class towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. but customers still demand opulent appointments and a plush ride. Uhlmeyer says his team's only course was to "follow the physics" while trying to combine these seemingly opposed requirements.
About the Author
Dan’s coverage of the auto industry over three decades has taken him to the racetracks, automotive engineering centers, vehicle simulators, wind tunnels, and crash-test labs of the world.
A member of the North American Car, Truck, and Utility of the Year jury, Dan also contributes car reviews to Popular Science magazine, serves on the International Engine of the Year jury, and has judged the collegiate Formula SAE competition.
Dan is a winner of the International Motor Press Association's Ken Purdy Award for automotive writing, as well as the National Motorsports Press Association's award for magazine writing and the Washington Automotive Press Association's Golden Quill award.
Dan, testing the 2025 Aston Martin Vanquish. ANDY MORGAN/ASTON MARTIN
He has held a Sports Car Club of America racing license since 1991, is an SCCA National race winner, two-time SCCA Runoffs competitor in Formula F, and an Old Dominion Region Driver of the Year award winner. Co-drove a Ford Focus 1.0-liter EcoBoost to 16 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile-accredited world speed records over distances from just under 1km to over 4,104km at the CERAM test circuit in Mortefontaine, France.
He was also a longtime contributor to the Society of Automotive Engineers' Automotive Engineering International magazine.
He specializes in analyzing technical developments, particularly in the areas of motorsports, efficiency, and safety.
He has been published in The New York Times, NBC News, Motor Trend, Popular Mechanics, The Washington Post, Hagerty, AutoTrader.com, Maxim, RaceCar Engineering, AutoWeek, Virginia Living, and others.
Dan has authored books on the Honda S2000 and Dodge Viper sports cars and contributed automotive content to the consumer finance book, Fight For Your Money.
He is a member and past president of the Washington Automotive Press Association and is a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers.
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