05:18 10-03-2026

Jeep's hidden winch concept for electric off-road vehicles

Jeep patents a hidden winch in the frunk of electric SUVs like the Recon, improving balance and protection for off-road use.

Jeep is exploring an unconventional approach to a key piece of off-road equipment: the front winch. A U.S. patent filing describes a design where the winch is housed inside the frunk of an electric SUV, with the cable routed through the center of the grille. This idea makes sense. The space under the hood of an EV is largely unused, and a heavy winch no longer hangs off the bumper, which can upset the vehicle's balance.

The traditional winch location has several drawbacks. Its 40–90 kg mass loads the front suspension, affecting handling and geometry. The equipment also remains exposed and vulnerable on rocky trails. Jeep's alternative integrates the unit into the front compartment, directly above the front electric motor. This improves protection and shifts the weight closer to the vehicle's center.

Initial patent images show a layout suitable for the Jeep Recon, the brand's first electric model expected to earn Trail Rated status. This option wasn't mentioned at launch, but the frunk's dimensions appear to accommodate the mechanism without compromising the powertrain. If Jeep adds a built-in winch to the accessories list, it will likely be expensive. Still, it could prove popular with serious off-road enthusiasts.

For now, the Recon's commercial success remains an open question. U.S. EV sales have slowed, and its starting price of around $65,000 makes it a niche offering. Despite this, the hidden winch concept highlights Jeep's strategic direction: leveraging the advantages of an electric platform to enhance capability and functionality, rather than simply swapping an internal combustion engine for a battery.