New spy shots of the Jeep Wrangler JL’s 2-door and
4-door versions from Indian roads have surfaced online, courtesy Erol of
RushLane. FCA had introduced the JL series in the USA in November last year. The Jeep Wrangler JL is the
fourth generation of the undisputed off-road champion. It features an
evolutionary design that makes it look more contemporary while retaining the
authentic styling cues including the round headlights, the seven-slot grille,
the trapezoidal wheel arches, the visible hinges, the folding windshield and
more.
The redesigned model has a lowered beltline with
larger windows for better outward visibility; a change that avid off-roaders
would appreciate when out on extreme trails. The seven-slot keystone-shaped
grille’s top is gently swept back for improved aerodynamics, and the windshield
is tilted slightly back for the same reason. The A-pillars now remain in place
even on folding down the windshield. There are various such minor design
changes.
Inside too, the overall design and layout is
traditional, but there’s a lot of new-age equipment on offer. This includes
7-inch TFT LED driver information display, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment
system, four USB ports (two up front and two in the rear), multiple 12-volt
accessory outlets, 230-volt AC outlet, engine start-stop button with a
weather-proof surround and seats with adjustable bolster and lumbar support.
There are two new engine options - 2.2L MultiJet II
turbo diesel (200 PS/450 Nm) and 2.0L turbo petrol (272 PS/400 Nm). Both
feature a stop-start engine system and are mated to a new 8-speed automatic
transmission. There’s one more engine option - 3.6L Pentastar naturally
aspirated petrol (284 PS/347 Nm). This unit is coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission
or the new 8-speed automatic transmission. Two 4x4 systems are on offer:
Command-Trac and Road-Trac, both featuring the new Selec-Trac full-time
two-speed transfer case (with 2.72:1 and 4.0:1 low-range gear ratios
respectively).
The Jeep Wrangler is available in India in only the
4-door version (Unlimited). We'll soon find out if there's a plan to sell the
2-door version as well with the full model change. The launch of the new gen
Wrangler is likely to take place by the end of this financial year. FCA may
consider locally assembly to bring down the prices (currently INR 58.74 lakh*
onwards).