More-efficient powertrain
Purists went ballistic when they initially learned that the new Wrangler would inherit the Grand Caravan and Town & Country's 3.8-liter V6. I was also sceptic about it, but I must say that the engine does its job nicely. At least, it's a great improvement compared to the old inline-6 that guzzled down fuel like a raging alcoholic. My average of 13.9 L/100 km is much more acceptable than the 19.0 L/100 km I observed when I tested a TJ Rubicon back in 2005.
We needed 14.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h; that's still as slow as the old model, but one must realize that the V6 doesn't have it easy, pushing a 4,292-lb (1,947-kg) vehicle that's not very aerodynamic. The engine is smoother and quieter, however; we can now have a conversation inside the Wrangler, even on the highway.
The Jeep handles okay, but obviously, we still must be prudent with this type of vehicle. Braking is fine in normal driving conditions, but other SUVs perform better during emergency stopping situations. The Jeep's ride has greatly improved on the highway, which was intolerable in the old TJ. The Unlimited model's longer wheelbase must help in that regard.
Go anywhere
Why beat around the bush, when you can just go over it? The Wrangler isn't scared of anything. We recently threw 6 SUVs onto the off-road course at Mecaglisse (www.mecaglisse.com), and the Wrangler went through every portion of it without even breaking a sweat.
Steep hills, streams, rough trails, the Sahara performed better than the rest of the gang, with the exception of the FJ Cruiser which proved to be about as capable as the Jeep.
At each step of the course, we'd send the Wrangler first: if it didn't clear the obstacle, the others wouldn't. The Jeep was our benchmark, which says it all, I think...
Purists went ballistic when they initially learned that the new Wrangler would inherit the Grand Caravan and Town & Country's 3.8-liter V6. I was also sceptic about it, but I must say that the engine does its job nicely. At least, it's a great improvement compared to the old inline-6 that guzzled down fuel like a raging alcoholic. My average of 13.9 L/100 km is much more acceptable than the 19.0 L/100 km I observed when I tested a TJ Rubicon back in 2005.
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| Despite being as aerodynamic as a brick, its fuel consumption remains acceptable. |
We needed 14.3 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h; that's still as slow as the old model, but one must realize that the V6 doesn't have it easy, pushing a 4,292-lb (1,947-kg) vehicle that's not very aerodynamic. The engine is smoother and quieter, however; we can now have a conversation inside the Wrangler, even on the highway.
The Jeep handles okay, but obviously, we still must be prudent with this type of vehicle. Braking is fine in normal driving conditions, but other SUVs perform better during emergency stopping situations. The Jeep's ride has greatly improved on the highway, which was intolerable in the old TJ. The Unlimited model's longer wheelbase must help in that regard.
Go anywhere
Why beat around the bush, when you can just go over it? The Wrangler isn't scared of anything. We recently threw 6 SUVs onto the off-road course at Mecaglisse (www.mecaglisse.com), and the Wrangler went through every portion of it without even breaking a sweat.
Steep hills, streams, rough trails, the Sahara performed better than the rest of the gang, with the exception of the FJ Cruiser which proved to be about as capable as the Jeep.
At each step of the course, we'd send the Wrangler first: if it didn't clear the obstacle, the others wouldn't. The Jeep was our benchmark, which says it all, I think...
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| Taking a bath Jeep style. |