As Chief Vehicle Engineer for Jeep Wagoneer S, Alison Rham tackled the monumental task of bringing Jeep’s rugged heritage into the electric age. With the Wagoneer S, Jeep’s first global electric vehicle, the mission was clear: to deliver the electrification Jeep needs while keeping it unmistakably, confidently Jeep. Rham shared with us the excitement and challenges of making this vehicle a reality.
“We had to make that leap into electrification,” said Rham. “But I think every consumer is very similar to the way I am – they still want the car to function the way they expect. Getting an electric car doesn’t mean you throw everything else out the window.” Her team focused on finding a balance between innovation and tradition, creating a vehicle that features the latest technology, while staying true to Jeep’s legacy.
Confidence At Its Core
Confidence is the cornerstone of any Jeep, and the Wagoneer S is no exception. For Rham, this sense of confidence stems from a combination of performance and stability. “Feeling secure equals being confident, which is what I think embodies Jeep,” she explained. Building this confidence started with the platform.
“The all-new STLA Large platform is such an amazing foundation,” she said. “With the torque split front and rear, and the weight split front and rear, it keeps it very grounded, very stable, so that you feel when you’re driving that you’re in control of the car, even though it’s 600 horsepower,” she said.
“The car is crazy quick, but you feel in control, and that control equals confidence.”
– Alison Rham, Chief Vehicle Engineer, Jeep Wagoneer S
From the brake system to the electronic stability control and steering, every element was fine-tuned. “No matter what conditions you’re in, you’ve got it,” said Rham. This careful engineering ensures the Wagoneer S delivers a true Jeep experience.
Familiar, Yet Revolutionary
Rham knew that venturing into electric vehicles meant delivering something new, but not alien. The Wagoneer S had to feel like home to loyal Jeep drivers. “We didn’t want anybody spending their time trying to figure out how it would work,” Rham said. “Instead, we wanted them to focus on the drivability of the car.”
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This meant reimagining every detail of the user experience. Controls were carefully placed for intuitive use, and every interaction with the vehicle was designed to feel natural. “When you feel that familiarity, you feel secure and confident,” she added.
The Steering Wheel Dilemma
Of course, even the best-laid plans come with surprises. One unexpected challenge arose from the steering wheel. “It’s a steering wheel—every car has one,” Rham quipped. But the team quickly realized the initial design obstructed the instrument cluster.
“If you can’t see, you don’t feel secure,” she said. After much deliberation, the team devised the ‘squircle’ – a squared circle with flattened edges. “I thought, okay, we went a little overboard here,” Rham admitted. But the innovative design not only solved the visibility issue but became a natural fit. “I love it,” she said. “It’s a natural spot for my hands, and it works.”
A Wing Worth Fighting For
The Wagoneer S’s striking rear wing was another design hurdle. “The first time the design team showed it to me, I just shook my head and said, ‘No freaking way,'” Rham admitted. The wing’s dramatic overhang presented structural challenges and caused vibrations that you could see. They even made the image in the digital rearview mirror shake.
“It just defied all physics.”
Rham’s initial suggestion of adding a central support was not well received by Chief Design Officer, Ralph Gilles. “Ralph told me, over his dead body,” she said, laughing. Determined to make it work, her team spent countless hours refining the structure. “We spent a lot of time on how to optimize the structure in it to be able to get it to be stable but not be heavy,” she explained.
The effort paid off in more ways than one. The wing not only enhances the vehicle’s aesthetics but also improves aerodynamics. “It actually makes the car three counts better in aero,” Ram revealed. “It helps direct the air down that back windshield, so it made it better.”
A Beauty That Performs
Rham’s hopes for the Wagoneer S extend beyond engineering excellence. She wants drivers to feel proud and excited every time they see and drive the car. “First, I hope they realize how freaking beautiful it is,” she said. On the way to the first drive event, a random passerby rolled down his window to get Rahm’s attention and tell her how good the Wagoneer S looks, which was a perfect moment for Rahm. “That’s what I want,” she said.
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But the Wagoneer S isn’t just about looks. It offers thrilling performance, thanks to its electric drivetrain and she hopes Jeep customers appreciate the experience. “The super crazy quick 0-60 with no hesitation because it is an electric car, instantaneous torque – that just puts a smile on their faces and makes them excited,” Ram said. The Wagoneer S is as fun as it is capable.
“I hope they walk out and they high-five whoever they’ve got with them.”
The Jeep of the Future
With the Wagoneer S, Jeep is setting a course for its future. Rham worked to make sure that the Wagoneer S is rooted in Jeep’s core values while embracing the possibilities of electrification. “All the goodness that’s in Jeeps we’ve done before is there,” she said. “And then you pair that with the fun of an electric car. It’s a totally different driving experience.”
The Wagoneer S is a testament to Jeep’s ability to innovate while staying true to its DNA. For Alison Rham and her team, this project represents the next chapter in Jeep’s storied legacy, one that’s leading the way to the electrified future.
