To any Jeep enthusiast, a new Wrangler is scary. It’s like changing a family recipe – you might improve it, but why meddle with something that’s already great? Many will go to their grave believing that the YJ was the best Wrangler of all time, but maybe the 2018 version is a step in the right direction.
The Engine
From what we’ve heard and seen, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will come with multiple engine options. One is going to be an upgraded version of the 3.6L Pentastar V6, which currently produces 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. There are also rumors that the new Jeep Wrangler will have the option of a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s both powerful and economical. We can expect to see some kind of diesel powerhouse, too. It’s not the inline-six, but it’ll do.
The Platform & Drivetrain
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler will keep the classic ladder-frame construction, and feature both a front and rear solid floating axle.
Jeep will offer the Wrangler with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a six-speed manual transmission. You may have heard rumors that the Jeep may be discontinuing the manual Wrangler, but we think that’s just paranoid folly.
The Exterior & Interior
Recent spy-photos show that the new Jeep Wrangler looks pretty familiar. We know they’ve increased the slant on the front-window to make it more aerodynamic and improve gas mileage; we also know they’re planning to replace the traditional soft top with “soft panels.” Those soft panels will still be removable, and as far as we know, so will the doors.
Unfortunately, 2018 Jeep Wrangler wont have the sport roll bar. On the bright side, that’ll free up some weight, making it a better rock-climber and less of a gas-guzzler.
All in all, the 2018 Jeep Wrangler will probably look a lot like the current Jeep Wrangler. It will be different, but we doubt the differences will be all that severe. We know Jeep is trying to improve the gas mileage, but we also know they’ll never sacrifice the Wrangler’s off-road performance in pursuit of efficiency.
How are you feeling about this new Wrangler? Excited? Nervous? Indifferent? Let us know on Facebook! We can’t wait to see hear what you’ve got to say.
Leave a Reply