Gilles: Faux wood on new Jeep would be a nightmare

To woody, or not to woody?

That was the question Fiat Chrysler Automobiles design chief Ralph Gilles says he "lost sleep" over when working on a revival of the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

Ultimately, Gilles decided to forgo the fake wood paneling that adorned a typical Grand Wagoneer in the 1980s, when that was perceived as upscale on a station wagon or SUV.

"Philosophically, we looked at it for a hot second," Gilles told The Detroit News. "We really did try, but the original was contact paper with a vinyl that was applied to the original car. It looked OK, and it made a statement, but they were desperately trying to establish a sense of luxury, which wood at the time was how you did it.

"Today, we're using much different tools and design elements to stay luxury. Putting wood on this car would have just cheapened it actually."

Instead of having stickers on the outside, the new Grand Wagoneer, which is expected to reach dealerships in mid-2021, incorporates some actual wood into the interior.

The concept version unveiled this month uses blackened heat-treated lacewood on the instrument panel and doors and teak in the headlights and on the roof rack.