The 2017 Jeep Wrangler JL has been spied testing in the US wrapped in all-body black camouflage hiding a sleeker but not revolutionary new body.

THE NEW 2017 JEEP WRANGLER has been spied testing in the US ahead of its scheduled 2017 reveal and on-sale later that year. Jeep hasn’t said much about the new 4×4 or what it might look like, although it has hinted it might get a hybrid drivetrain, and there are rumours it’ll run a new in-line four-cylinder codenamed, wait for it, Hurricane. It should still get a V6.

Looking at the spy pictures doesn’t reveal a whole lot, but the windscreen looks like it’s laying back on more of an angle than on the current vehicle. And it’s likely the black wrap covering the body hides a more rounded, but no less utilitarian, design to help with improving fuel consumption.

In various interviews, FCA boss Sergio Marchionne has hinted the new Wrangler would see its four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic. And before younger readers start weeping about a four-cylinder appearing in the new Wrangler, let’s not forget the Hurricane name for the new engine comes from the old Willys four-cylinder engine used in the 1950s.

But, does a small displacement four-cylinder petrol engine and eight-speed automatic really make any sense in a Wrangler? The thing’s heavy and smaller petrol engines with lots-of-cogs auto transmissions don’t necessarily make for great progress when driving off-road. While the suggestion is that the new four-pot will be petrol, maybe it could be diesel… Stay tuned.