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Jeeps May Be Able To Drive Underwater In Future, Says CEO

Jeeps May Be Able To Drive Underwater In Future, Says CEO

In a recent electric vehicle (EV) presentation, a Jeep Wrangler was shown driving underwater as part of a vision for the future

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Modern cars may feature technology that would make Back to the Future's Emmet 'Doc' Brown green with envy - from in-built satellite navigation to auto-pilot functions - but it seems that there's more to come yet, including the potential of underwater travel.

According to Jeep, that's exactly what engineers are aiming for, with hopes that its vehicles may drive underwater in the future.

In a recent electric vehicle (EV) presentation by Stellantis, Jeep's parent company, a Wrangler was shown driving along while fully submerged underwater.

While the footage was merely a computerised depiction of Stellantis' vision for the future as it invests roughly $35.5 billion into EVs, Jeep CEO Christian Meunier believes scenes like these could one day become a reality.

Jeep CEO Christian Meunier.
Stellantis

As EVs don't require air intakes or exhausts, in theory they should be able to operate underwater - as long as their equipment is sealed.

Speaking to The Detroit News about the presentation - which was part of the company's virtual 'EV Day', he said: "There is a little wink we have at the end, which is probably post-2030, but I know a lot of enthusiasts and a lot of our communities are requesting it.

"There are some crazy, very amazing people in the Jeep community who do that type of thing already with an ICE, so you can imagine with a battery car what it would be."

Stellantis

In the jump to 2030, the teaser also shows off various other off-road capabilities and remote vehicle tracking.

We also see a feature where people can lie flat in the Jeep while stargazing through a panoramic sunroof - as the car drives itself, naturally.

According to The Detroit News, Jeep also lists new technologies expected by 2025 in the teaser, including 'biometric facial recognition to unlock the vehicle, dynamic tire pressure for off-roading adventures, a Jeep multi-power port, peer-to-peer charging and the ability to connect the vehicle with a drone' - the last being a request Meunier said the brand has received from customers.

Stephanie Brinley, IHS Markit Ltd.'s principal autos analyst for the Americas, told the outlet: "What they have shown us so far is they are logically moving the DNA of the brand into the electric space.

"It appears to be a fairly natural progression for Jeep. It always comes down to the execution."

Featured Image Credit: Stellantis

Topics: World News, News, Technology, Cars