All-new 2019 Jeep Wrangler Revealed – Specs and Details
The all-new 2019 Jeep Wrangler has been revealed and offers more of the same capability but adds improved comfort and safety…
…AND A HYBRID. That’s right, the Jeep Wrangler will see a hybrid variant join the line-up in 2020.
“Jeep has always represented the ultimate in capability and open-air freedom, and our all-new 2018 Wrangler protects that important legacy and takes it into the future,” said Mike Manley, Head of Jeep Brand – FCA Global.
“The all-new Wrangler is instantly recognizable as a Jeep, staying true to the original, yet it is better in every way – delivering even more rugged capability, more ride comfort, more fuel efficiency courtesy of several advanced powertrain options, more interior comfort, more safety and more technology.”
The 2019 Jeep Wrangler two-door model is available in three different trim configurations: Sport, Sport S and Rubicon. Wrangler four-door models are available in four different trim configurations: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon.
Practical Motoring spoke with Dave Harding, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at FCA Australia about when we can expect to see the new Wrangler in Australia, and he said: “Exact timing for delivery to Australia has not yet been confirmed. As such, final product spec including available drivetrains and safety equipment are yet to be finalised”.
Mopar is offering up to 200 different accessories for the new Wrangler, and Jeep said more than 3.9million miles of test driving was carried out, across China, Brazil, India, Australasia and Italy as well as cold weather testing in Alaska and hot weather testing in Arizona.
What about 4×4?
The focus of the presentation was on improvements to the Wrangler’s off-road ability with the brand now offering an updated version of its Selec-Trac which offers a two-speed transfer case with permanent four-wheel drive and a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio on Sahara models. An updated Command-Trac 4×4 system features a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and “next-generation” solid Dana front and rear axles with a 3.45 rear axle ratio. On Wrangler Rubicon, a Rock-Trac 4×4 system features heavy duty next-generation Dana 44 front and rear axles with a “4LO” ratio of 4:1. A 4.10 front and rear axle ratio is standard as are Tru-Lok locking differentials.
Jeep said the Wrangler Rubicon offers improved articulation and total suspension travel versus the previous generation with help from an electronic sway-bar disconnect. With the standard six-speed manual transmission, Wrangler Rubicon has an impressive and improved crawl ratio of 84.2:1, and 77.2:1 on Rubicon models equipped with the new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Wrangler offers an impressive approach angle of 44 degrees, breakover of 27.8 degrees, departure angle of 37 degrees and a ground clearance of 227mm and 760mm water fording.
A familiar face
At a quick glance, the new Wrangler doesn’t look a whole lot different and that’s because, if it ain’t broke… But there have been some key tweaks to improve the look of the thing. For instance, the seven-slot grille pays homage to the Jeep CJ with the two outer grille slats intersecting with the headlights.
On Sahara and Rubicon models, LED head-lights and fog lamps are available with daytime running lights that form a halo around the outside perimeter of the headlights, and standard LED forward turn signals are positioned on the front of the trapezoidal wheel flares. At the back, traditional square tail lamps feature available LED lighting.
Jeep said it has crafted dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations allow for endless configuration possibilities. A new half-door design will be available from 2019. The front windscreen can be folded down via the removal of just four bolts with a header bar connected to the A-pillars allowing for the rear vision mirror to remain when the windscreen is folded down.
New lightweight, high-strength aluminum doors now feature the Torx bit tool size stamped directly onto the hinge to eliminate guessing which tool size is needed to remove the doors. New for 2018, all Wranglers feature body-colored sport bars, which are welded to the body and feature integrated grab handles.
Making things easier from early 2018, an all-new easy-to-use Sky One-Touch powertop means occupants can retract the full-length open canvas roof with a push of a button. Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon models share a body-color hardtop option (black on Sport and Sport S), offering a unique, premium appearance while a black three-piece hardtop, available on all models. Lighter Freedom panels and improved latches enable a quicker removal and installation of the hardtop.
What about the inside?
The “heritage inspired” cabin is designed for function and form, said Jeep. There are real bolts on the shifter, grab handles and framing the infotainment unit. The push button start is weather proof.
The Wrangler can be had with either a 7.0- or cost-optional 8.4-inch touchscreen which is the largest display Uconnect system ever offered on Wrangler. Buried beneath is the fourth-generation Uconnect infotainment and communications system, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A 5.0-inch touchscreen is standard on Wrangler Sport. Directly below the touchscreen are functional features such as climate and volume control knobs and media connectivity ports. Two USB ports up front and two in reach of occupants in the back seat connect to the media centre. Standard 12-volt accessory outlets are located throughout and a 115-volt AC outlet is available to power select three-pronged home electronics.
Protection and ride
To protect critical vehicle components while off-roading – including the fuel tank, transfer case and automatic transmission oil pan – Wrangler has four skid plates and bars. Rubicon models add heavy gauge tubular steel rock rails.
Reducing weight was a key aim with the new Wrangler and so it features a greater use of aluminium, including the doors, door hinges, bonnet, fender flares, windshield frame and magnesium swing gate. Other ways the Jeep engineering team reduced weight included using hollow track and stabilizer bars, aluminum engine mounts and steering gear, and a larger, lighter master cylinder.
The new Wrangler continues with its five-link coil suspension configuration. The roll centre height has been raised and the spring rates retuned to “provide a comfortable ride when traveling around town”. At the rear the shocks have been retuned to improve on-road handling. And Wrangler Rubicon models get an electronic front sway-bar.
What about engines and transmissions?
A 3.0-litre EcoDiesel V6 (194kW and 600Nm) and all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (200kW and 400Nm although there’s talk this engine has been ruled out for Australia) engines join the Wrangler lineup, while the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine has been tweaked (213kW and 353Nm up from the current output of 209kW and 347Nm). The diesel engine won’t be available until 2019 and is unlikely to be offered beyond the US.
The current six-speed manual has been tweaked for improved shift quality and there’s a new eight-speed automatic available across the range. The eight-speed automatic transmission has been tuned to work with the Rubicon delivering a 77.2:1 crawl ratio.
What about safety?
The new Wrangler doesn’t autonomous emergency braking and this means it will be impossible for the thing to achieve a five-star ANCAP rating; ANCAP will adopt Euro NCAP testing methodology next year which requires AEB to be fitted to be eligible for a five-star rating.
When asked about this, Senior Manager – Corporate Comms at FCA Australia, Dave Harding, said: “We are continuing to work closely with our US-based engineering team to ensure that our future product meets and exceeds the expectations of the Australian market, especially in the area of driver and passenger safety.”
Beyond this omission, Jeep said it’s offering 75 active and passive safety and security features, including Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection, ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation and four standard air bags.
OMG! they not bringing the 3.0l v6 diesel here! Big mistake (think Amarok).
What a joke we miss out on the good engine options. The 3L is here allready in the grand Cherokee and its a great motor