FYI: Jeep is exploring a new system of removable windows to enhance the open-air driving experience for Wrangler and potentially other models.
Jeep’s Parent Company Stellantis Proposes Removable Windows for Enhanced Open-Air Experience
Jeep enthusiasts have long enjoyed the flexibility of removing their Wranglers’ roofs and doors. Now, Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, aims to revolutionize the open-air driving experience further by introducing removable windows, simplifying the process and increasing airiness.
### Patent Details
Stellantis filed a patent application for a “removable window system,” which was published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on August 1, 2023, after being initially filed earlier in the year. According to the application, manually removing Wrangler’s hard tops can be unwieldy, and removable windows could provide a more manageable alternative.
### Innovation in Design
The patent application elaborates on a system where the rear and quarter-panel windows, typically non-removable, could be detached with ease. This innovation could culminate in a more versatile open-air experience when combined with lowering the side windows or removing the vehicle’s doors.
### Mechanism
To enable the removal of these windows, the design incorporates multiple latches. By rotating a handle on each mechanism, retention clips move out of the way, allowing the window to be lifted out without much effort.
### Potential Applications
While the Wrangler seems like a logical candidate for this feature—illustrated in the patent images—Stellantis has not confirmed which specific vehicle might receive this enhancement. Speculative insights suggest that the Jeep Recon, an electric vehicle (EV) revealed in 2022 with open rear-quarter windows, might be the first to benefit from this innovation. The Recon is expected to debut in the U.S. in 2024, but Jeep has provided limited updates since its initial reveal. The Wagoneer S, also presented in 2022, will lead Jeep’s electric era upon its release this fall.
### Conclusion
Stellantis’s initiative toward removable windows underscores the continuous effort to elevate the driving experience for Jeep enthusiasts. Should this feature make it to production, it promises a new level of convenience and fun for those looking to embrace the open road fully. Keep an eye out for more updates on this exciting development from Jeep.
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Steven Hale, Editor of Automotive.fyi
