Jeep is expected to launch the new fourth-gen Wrangler (JL series) in the country soon, probably around the upcoming festive season. The Wrangler made its global debut at the 2017 LA Motor Show in November last year and is already on sale in the US. In Europe, it will go on sale around September 2018 while it has already went on sale in China and Russia from July 2018. Being a CBU, as before, the Wrangler will soon be introduced in India. The new Jeep Wrangler comes with significant upgrades to its equipment list as well as powertrain options. The India-spec Wrangler is expected to come with a new 2.2-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, both mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Wrangler JK lineup comprises four new models: the Sport, Sport S, Sahara, and Rubicon, with starting prices ranging from $23,395 for a base JK Sport two-door with a six-speed manual transmission, to $37,445 for a 4-door JK Rubicon. Special editions including the Golden Eagle, Freedom Edition, Altitude, Willys Wheeler, and Rubicon Recon offer additional style, comfort and off-road options. Each one builds on one of the four existing standard models.
Previously, the two-door versions were called “Wrangler” and 4-door models were “Wrangler Unlimited.” That changes in 2018, with all models and trims available in either two-door or four-door versions and no separate Unlimited designation. The difference isn’t just extra doors; four-door Wranglers have 1.6-inches of additional rear-seat legroom and 18.7 cubic feet more storage space behind the second row of seats than the two-door models.
All 2018 JKs have a 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, rated by Jeep at 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler has been spotted in India, at Goa, for the first time and the latest avatar of Jeep’s iconic SUV is likely to hit the country’s market in the second half of this year. The all-new Wrangler continues with the traditional Jeep styling. Upfront, the new Wrangler's grille has been tweaked slightly, with the outermost slats now curving with the shape of the headlights, similar to the older Jeep CJ5 range.
The SUV now features larger full-LED headlights, with LED daytime running lights placed on the fenders. Moving on to the sides, the profile is unmistakably Wrangler. However, there are subtle changes like the belt line now being lower by about an inch, helping Jeep create a larger glasshouse for the new model.
The new Wrangler's interior is leagues ahead than that of the outgoing model’s, with a greater emphasis on quality. The cabin, however, retains the original Wrangler styling bits like the round air con vents. The added length at the back has also resulted in the rear seat moving a bit backward for additional legroom.
The new Wrangler will continue to be manufactured at Jeep's Toledo facility in US and will be sold in India in the end of 2018 as a fully-imported unit, just like the outgoing car.
