The 2018 Jeep Wrangler JL has finally landed in
Europe as the company has introduced the redesigned model in Geneva.
Set to go on sale in the EMEA region during the
second half of the year, the 2018 Wrangler has an evolutionary design with a
sweptback grille which can be flanked by optional LED headlights. The updated
styling continues further back as the SUV has front fender vents, new character
lines and larger windows for improved visibility.
Three different roofs will be available including a
Sunrider soft top and an improved three-piece Freedom Top. The latter roof is a
hard top which has lighter panels and improved latches for easier installation
and removal. Of course, the biggest change is the addition of the all-new Sky
One-Touch roof. It’s a fully automatic soft top which can be lowered at the
push of a button.
The Euro-spec Wrangler will be offered in Sport,
Sahara and Rubicon configurations with either two or four doors. Sport and
Sahara models come equipped with new Dana axles as well as a Command-Trac
four-wheel drive system with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. The off-road
focused Wrangler Rubicon is more extreme as it has Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lok
electric lockers and a Rock-Trac four-wheel drive system with a 4.0:1 low-range
gear ratio.
The improvements carryover to the cabin as drivers
will find higher quality materials and new technology. Higher end variants
offer an assortment of luxury features including heated leather seats, a heated
steering wheel and an 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with GPS
navigation. Other niceties include a 7-inch LED display in the instrument
cluster and an assortment of driver assistance systems such as park assist and
rear cross traffic alert.
Jeep declined to mention European performance
specifications but the US-spec model will be available with three different
engines including a new 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 that produces 260 hp and 598 Nm of torque. Petrol options include a turbocharged 2.0-liter
four-cylinder with 270 hp and 399 Nm of torque as well as
a 3.6-liter V6 developing 285 hp and 352 Nm of torque.
