Next-Gen Jeep Wrangler Stays 'True to Its Current Form'
The next-generation Jeep Wrangler redesign won’t be too radical.
A dealer who was shown the new Wrangler at a recent conference in Las Vegas told Automotive News that the new Wrangler “stays pretty true to its current form.” The gathering of dealers was also shown a new Grand Wagoneer luxury SUV that is capable of seating eight.
New aluminum body parts are slated to be used when the new Wrangler arrives to help it save weight, but it should keep its body-on-frame construction along with its solid axles.
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Another dealer who attended the meeting revealed that FCA says the new Wrangler will be capable of 30 mpg. That is likely due to the addition of a diesel engine, which has been an option on the European Wrangler for a long time. There is also a rumor that a small turbocharged engine is set to join the lineup, another engine that would improved the Wrangler’s fuel economy.
The new Wrangler is expected to be a 2018 model.
[Source: Automotive News & Allpar]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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Also rumors of a hybrid drivetrain.
I'm getting pretty tired of manufacturers advertising mpg rates that only apply to around 5% of model sales. Assuming the diesel will have a $2-4K premium over the gasoline engine, the percentage might be higher only due to the pent-up demand for a diesel Wrangler, at least in the States. Still, I'd love to see what they expect the gasoline engine to get. I have always thought there should be two Wranglers -- a body-on-frame classic Wrangler with solid axles for the purists, and a "new" unibody Wrangler with a similar boxy look, fully-independent suspension, high ground clearance, and the same hardtop/softtop options. It would be for those of us who only go offroad 5% of the time, but still love the flexibility and security of a go-anywhere vehicle and use it as a highway commuter. Really, there's no other vehicle I'd rather drive, but I would love a little more MPG and some better on-road manners, and I'd be willing to sacrifice just a little off-road drivability for that. I think there are probably 50% or more of current Wrangler owners in the same boat. It would help get Jeep's fleet MPG up as well and probably help ease the workflow in Toledo (assuming the next Jeep is built there).