If you were wondering what Jeep had in store for the
next-generation 2018 Wrangler, these two images purportedly show the actual
model. The images come courtesy of JL Wrangler Forums, and while we can't be
absolutely sure that this is the actual car, they do seem to match what we’ve
seen before in spy shots and a leaked poster from a dealer meeting last year.
Aside from the removable roof and doors, you might
also notice that it has a larger front bumper design than the current model,
turn signals on the mirrors, headlights curving into the outer grille slats, a
longer vented hood, fender vents on the front quarter panels and a windshield
that clearly sits closer to the hood.
The profile of the car also features somewhat of a
pronounced belt line, thus making it seem that the door handles are positioned
slightly below where they currently reside. Furthermore, the windows seem to
have more rounder corners and at the rear we seem to be looking at wrap-around
taillights.
Speaking of lights, the front fenders apparently
have some LED light strips, which is something Car & Driver leaked a while
back, depicting the 2018 Wrangler's new light signatures at the front as well
as at the rear. The car could also feature LED headlights according to the same
source, alongside the fender strips.
At the back, the lights are said to have glowing X
graphics, similar to those on the Renegade crossover, although we can't exactly
tell if that's true or not from these images alone. Overall, what we're seeing
is an evolution of the current Wrangler in terms of design. The recipe is the
same, yet there appear to be enough extra ingredients for the dish to taste
differently. We are of course expecting more changes inside, where the 2018
Wrangler should be better equipped at navigating today's highly connected and
secure automotive landscape.
As for a debut, wanting it to come to next month's
NY Auto Show would definitely be wishful thinking. But hopefully the unveiling
does happen sometime this year.
