The
Wrangler Unlimited first hit the trails during the 2007 model year. Over a decade, it still has the typical features that define a Wrangler – the seven-slot grill, round headlights, wide fender flares, folding front windshield, trapezoidal wheel openings and Jeep’s signature open-air driving experience. It still takes the heritage and consumer confidence in the original Wrangler and brings it to a new level with the introduction of a four-door, five passenger sports utility vehicle.
The Wrangler Unlimited comes in two trim models - the Sports and the wicked off-road Rubicon. Both are equipped with a 3.8 liter V6 that generates 146kw and 315Nm of torque. Maximum power is 146 kW at 5,500 rpm while the torque peaks at 315Nm at 4,000 rpm. Jeep’s new engine was engineered to be lighter, hushed and more powerful than the old V8 that powered the smaller Wrangler.
With the Wrangler Unlimited’s new range, it’s not all about rugged looks and craftsmanship. On offer is voice command, ‘Uconnect’ navigation, 16.5 cm touch-screen display, USB and audio jack, CD and DVD player that’s WMA and MP3 compatible, iPod control and a 30GB hard disk drive which allows you to upload over 4,000 songs or a few thousand photos. Moreover, the Wrangler Unlimited maintains much of the functional features in the original Wrangler including the YES Essentials Fabric that is stain, water and odor resistant. Other niceties are the power locking doors and power windows which are enhancements from its predecessors. Despite the addition of all the wiring and electronics, the doors are still quite easy to remove.
The range is also packed with a lot of safety features including stability and traction control, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, driver and front passenger airbags, pretensioning seatbelts, energy-absorbing steering column, electronic roll mitigation (ERM) and optional side air-bags.
In keeping with its heritage, the off-road capability of the Wrangler Unlimited is among the best-in-class. The entire range also offers a true open-air SUV experience and you can’t help but feel a sense of thrill and adventure. This is a feature that is unique to Jeep and is somewhat missing in other SUVs. After all, Jeep can boast of 65 years of off-road experience. This off-road distinction guarantees that the Wrangler Unlimited will perform well in these categories: ground clearance, traction, water fording, articulation and maneuverability.
Jeep has upgraded its suspension as the Wrangler Unlimited now comes with live solid axles, 5-link front/rear, coil springs, leading arms, track/stabiliser bars, front steering damper and gas-filled shock absorbers. The axles now perfectly complement the larger drive shaft, sturdier housing, larger pinion bearing and above-center pinion. All these refurbishments allow the Wrangler Unlimited to handle greater load and torque when off-roading. All models come with Tru-Lok Locking Differentials while the Rubicon comes standard with Rock-Trac that enables the vehicle to crawl at slower speeds while increasing torque at the wheels.
