by New Jeep Patent Application
For true off-road adventure enthusiasts, a winch on the front bumper is almost essential equipment. It can pull another vehicle out of trouble or, secured to a sturdy tree or rock, help your own car get out. However, a recent Jeep patent indicates that the brand’s future electric models may offer a different approach by placing the winch inside the front trunk (frunk).
The application, filed by Jeep in the USA, describes a concept where the free space under the hood of an electric vehicle could become the perfect place for a winch. In such a design, the winch would be located directly above the front electric motor, and its cable would be routed out through the central part of the grille.
Advantages of the New Placement
Winches are usually mounted on or inside the front bumper of an off-roader. While this placement provides easy access, it also has its drawbacks. Powerful winches can weigh over 40 kilograms, adding mass ahead of the vehicle’s axle and potentially negatively affecting handling. Furthermore, a bumper-mounted winch is exposed to damage on challenging trails.
Jeep’s patent, first spotted by Autoblog, attempts to address some of these issues.
As seen from the illustrations, Jeep’s patent attempts to solve these problems. The drawings show a winch installed inside the front trunk of the future electric Jeep Recon – the company’s first fully electric model to receive the Trail Rated certification.
Prospects for the Jeep Recon
When Jeep presented the Recon last year, no mention was made of a winch in the front trunk. However, this vehicle seems well-suited for such an option. The front compartment should have enough space to accommodate a winch above the electric motor on the front axle. If Jeep later offers this as an accessory, it will likely be an additional option, but could prove truly useful for drivers who venture off-road.
For now, it remains unclear how popular the new Recon model will become. Partly due to relaxed regulations, interest in new electric vehicles has somewhat cooled, giving manufacturers more freedom to continue producing traditional ICE models. Additionally, the Recon is a relatively expensive vehicle, starting at $65,000 in the off-road Moab trim.
This patent application demonstrates how manufacturers are adapting classic off-road solutions to the new realities of electric vehicles. Moving heavy equipment from the bumper into the body not only protects it but also improves weight distribution, which is critical for stability on steep slopes. Such innovations could become key to attracting the traditional off-road audience to electric transport, combining the benefits of new technologies with proven functionality.
