by Automotive design is often defined by details – characteristic shapes and stylistic features that make a car recognizable at first glance. BMW has kidney grilles, Alfa Romeo has the legendary Scudetto, Bugatti is famous for its horseshoe, and Jeep proudly wears its seven-slot grille as a calling card.
However, a British tuning atelier decided that decades of brand identity aren’t that important and replaced the iconic front end of the Jeep with something reminiscent of a classic Land Rover.
This is about the company Chelsea Truck Co., which has just introduced the so-called “Heritage Mesh Grille” for the Jeep Wrangler JL. Among modern Jeep models, the Wrangler’s grille is the most recognizable. Therefore, when it is removed, the Wrangler resembles more of a cheap copy than an off-road icon. But if you are a Jeep owner who wants to stand out from the crowd of standard grilles, this option will definitely attract attention.
The company claims that the new grille is made from materials that meet OEM quality. It features a matte black finish and square headlight bezels. Without a doubt, this radically changes the Wrangler’s appearance, though not necessarily for the better.
Furthermore, buyers can add their own letters or numbers to the mesh grille, making it more personalized or at least more noticeable.
This version of the Wrangler also received wheels painted in the same matte black color as the grille. The wheels are clad in powerful off-road tires for a more aggressive look, and for those who want even more expressiveness, a kit with 22-inch wheels is available.
If the mesh grille is not to your liking, Chelsea Truck Co. offers an alternative – a four-slot carbon fiber grille. It costs £1,440 (approximately $1,905) and perhaps looks more stylish and elegant compared to the mesh version.
