These are the wackiest elements in what is more or less a fairly
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| Standard, supportive seats are trimmed in an anti-microbial, soil-repellant material. So, yeah, go ahead and get dirty. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
utilitarian cabin, although the new front seats appear much more upscale than those in the outgoing model. New YES Essentials woven fabric (according to DCX an "an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odors and discoloration") is stylish and looks durable, while their side bolstering seems capable of holding the torso in place during jarring side-to-side transitions, complemented by a driver's seat height adjuster that should allow for optimal visibility and comfort. Splitting the front seats is a stylish centre console with an integrated armrest cum storage bin, the ovoid design mimicking that on the seat recline levers as well as the very trendy new door panels.
What appear to be the world's largest interior door grab handles are really only optical illusions, made right when seen from just above. The thick door pulls, just above, are oval as well, but the real style statements are at the base of each door, where an industrial-chic crisscross pattern gives the SUV a distinctively tough appearance.
The
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| Acrobatic back seat accommodates much more cargo space than ever before. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
rear seat, which incidentally appears more comfortable than back benches used in models past, includes a seatback that folds forward before the entire mechanism tumbles up against the front seatbacks, creating a great deal more loading space than before. Actually, Jeep says that its additional 2.0 inches of cargo floor depth nearly doubles what was there previously, not saying a lot for the outgoing model's load carrying potential with all seats in place. Adding to the new Wrangler's versatility is a handy lockable under-floor storage compartment, allowing greater security for small items when the top is down.
But that increased cargo area isn't only because of the convenient
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| CD stereo with MP3 player plug-in is standard. Step-look of console is cool. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
rear seats, it's also thanks to a 5.5 inch increase in total vehicle width - a benefit that adds 4.6 inches of additional hip room, 5.1 inches more shoulder room, plus incremental improvements in legroom and the aforementioned added space behind the rear seat. Between the side door panels is a front-seat area that totals 54.6 cubic feet of space; an increase of 4.8 cubic feet.
As noted, 5.5 inches of growth in any direction is monumental, showing that this new Wrangler isn't merely a new skin over an old frame. The new body and frame combination, the former of which is 50 percent stiffer and the latter 100 percent more rigid than the old TJ, joins a new five-link coil suspension connected to a 2.0-inch longer wheelbase and 3.5-inch wider track, while its spring rates are lower and shocks tuned to increase jounce and rebound travel for better on-pavement refinement. Complementing these upgrades is a new recirculating-ball steering system and enhanced suspension geometry, that are said to make a big difference in ride and handling plus, when factoring in new sound-deadening techniques, reportedly reduce cabin noise by more than 20 percent.
