Gorilla Glass is what protects the displays of most smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches on the market today. Now, automotive legend Jeep has partnered with Gorilla Glass creator Corning to offer custom windshields made with the same material.
Although most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the glass covering the screen on their phone, it’s an integral part of any device. It’s what prevents nasty scratches, helps eliminate cracks/shattered displays, and needs to be comfortable to touch for hours on end, day after day. There are a few companies that create glass for phones and other gadgets, but for the most part, this is a market dominated by Corning. Founded in 1851 and credited for helping to create the light bulb and fiber optic cable, Corning’s history with glass goes far beyond its use on iPhones and Android devices. Thanks to a new partnership with Jeep, it’s now extending to the automotive world.
Per the Mopar website, Corning Gorilla Glass windshields are now available for purchase for the 2017 - 2021 Jeep Wrangler, along with the Jeep Gladiator truck. If someone's interested in purchasing one for themselves, they'll need to get ready to pay a pretty penny. The standard version can be purchased right now for $793 through select Jeep dealers and third-party glass installers. There's also a model with a built-in antenna that costs $820, stepping up to $927 includes a surround heater and forward camera, and going all the way to $932 includes everything — the antenna, heater, and camera. For folks with older Jeeps, they'll be able to get a standard Gorilla Glass windshield for $645 (available for 2007 - 2018 Wranglers).
Benefits Of Using Gorilla Glass For A Windshield
That's certainly not a small amount of money to pay for an upgraded windshield, but considering all of the benefits that come with Gorilla Glass, the high cost might be worth it. There are three key areas of protection that Mopar highlights with these windshields, the first being sharp impacts. In this regard, Mopar says the Gorilla Glass design helps defend against "small sharp stone impact," radial cracks, and cracks that can extend through the outer glass ply. Protection against blunt impacts is offered, too, such as damage from small debris and star cracks. And, last but certainly not least, the Gorilla Glass windshield is said to offer ample defense against biaxial flexure — often caused by large hail or stones that create long cracks coming from a central point.
Although these Gorilla Glass windshields are limited right now to just two series of Jeep vehicles, it's worth noting this isn't the first time Corning has lent Gorilla Glass to an automaker. Back in 2019, the company partnered with Ford to create a Gorilla Glass windshield for the F-150. This is clearly a niche Corning is interested in exploring further, and considering how reliable Gorilla Glass has been for smartphones over the years, that's a pretty exciting prospect.
Source: Mopar