The new 2018 Jeep Wrangler has been spied in China,
carrying light camouflage and a chrome-less grille and bumper. China is one of
the largest markets worldwide for the Wrangler, so it makes a lot of sense that
Jeep is testing it here.
There have long been rumors about local production
in China of the Wrangler at the Guangzhou-Fiat joint venture. That would make
the Wrangler about 25% cheaper and it would enable Jeep to fine tune the
Wrangler for Chinese preferences. The joint venture already makes the Cherokee,
Compass and Renegade, and production of the new Yuntu will start next year.
However, local production of the Wrangler hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler will have its public debut at
the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 29 and sales in North America will start
sometime in Q1 2018. Launch in China is scheduled for next April. The
China-spec Wrangler will be available with the 2.0 turbo and the 3.6 V6, both
mated to a 8-speed auto.
Current China-spec Wrangler. Engines: 200 hp 2.8
turbo diesel, 234 hp 3.0 V6, 284 hp 3.6 V6. Price starts at 429.900 yuan and
ends at 549.900 yuan (US$ 65.000 – 83.300).