The AEV Brute is the modern Jeep Wrangler pickup enthusiasts crave but Chrysler denies. For those who want a little more luxury with that look, AEV has teamed up with fancy L.L. Bean-type company Filson for a special edition of the truck.
If you're not really sure what I mean, Filson sells this "Hand-Knit Cowichan Sweater featuring the magnificent bear" for $480. America, what a country!
Screw it, I actually love that sweater but I'll take the slightly-smelly thrift store version for eight bucks thankyouverymuch.
Anyway, Filson is not interested in the thrift shop tag-popping crowd. Their customers have big houses, a golden retriever, 2.3 kids, and a whole lotta money.
The original Brute is not a cheap proposition to begin with— there are two versions of the conversion at $29,999 and $39,000, which doesn't include the price of a JK Wrangler. But the Filson Edition pushes the Wrangler pickup right past Range Rover money at $130,000 complete.
For that ask you get non-metallic dark green exterior paint, Horween leather seating accented with durable, Rugged Twill panels, Rugged Twill custom rear seat storage bags behind the seats, Filson badges all over the place, and a custom tonneau cover.
Reading that over, it sounds like a lot for a little. But I gotta admit I'm a sucker for country club cache, and I think the Filson Edition AEV Brute looks absolutely awesome.
The colors are perfect. Horween is a Chicago-based leather company that's been ultra-premium since 1905. And twill storage bags? Truck yeah, twill storage bags. Best of all everything's made in the USA.
In my experience blue bloods tend to be hardcore Anglophiles, part of the reason Range Rovers are so popular among old money, but I dare say a Filson Edition AEV Brute might be just the ticket for a brash gentleman looking to scare up some attention at the next polo match. But not too much attention.
There are definitely worse ways to spend $130,000, though I don't think they're expecting door-busting demand.
AEV Brute Double-Cab Wrangler Pickup Gets Land Rover-Level Luxury