Stretching the Wrangler's PracticalityThe Jeep Wrangler (previously known in Canada as the TJ) is a real one of a
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| Proud, strong... and with four doors a whole lot more practical. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
kind SUV; it's one of just a handful of vehicles that is entirely engineered around a single purpose - taking people to the far corners of the earth. For something that started out life as a military machine, the Wrangler has taken off with the general public, becoming one of the definitive automotive icons of the outdoorsy, active lifestyle. In 2005 (actual initial model-year was 2004.5), Jeep introduced a Wrangler with a longer wheelbase called the Unlimited, taking all the principles of the Jeep and stretching them to new lengths. Of course, it too was a hit, offering greater practicality, greater comfort and almost the same level of off-road capability as the regular wheelbase Wrangler. The latest Unlimited, which debuts at this years NYIAS, capitalizes on the all-new 2007 Wrangler by offering greater access through four doors.
Even
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| Freedom Top acts as a hardtop, sunroof and T-Top all rolled into one. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
though it's a four-door, the new Unlimited is still unmistakably a Wrangler. It still has exposed hinges on all apertures (rear doors included), a fold-down front windshield, and buyers still have a choice between full-frame doors (as pictured) or half-frame doors with zip-up plastic windows. In terms of roofing options, the Wrangler Unlimited comes standard with a soft top roof with the Sunrider sunroof function. For those wanting increased practicality, Jeep will also offer the new Freedom Top modular hardtop roof that consists of three snap-on segments. With the Freedom Top option, buyers can turn the Unlimited from a closed to an open roof vehicle in just thirty seconds, storing the panels on board.
In order to fit an extra set of doors into the Wrangler's frame, the
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| With great length comes great rigidity: not usually the case but with the new Wrangler Jeep has strengthened the frame by 100 percent. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
chassis was stretched by a massive 523 mm (20.6 in) in its wheelbase, for a grand total of 2,946 mm (116.0 in) between its live front and rear axles. Because Jeep knows that its customers are some of the most demanding people on the face of the planet, they've taken the necessary precautions in finishing this one properly. Despite being much longer than the TJ Unlimited, the new frame is 100 percent more rigid, and the body is 50 percent more rigid. The new Wrangler is also 20 percent quieter, thanks to better road noise isolation. Interestingly, the previous-generation Wrangler Unlimited was also sought after by some trail-riders who preferred its longer wheelbase for off-road use. Normally the shorter regular wheelbase is the ride of choice by those in the know, the old CJ5 being highly desirable by diehard 4x4 enthusiasts, but it seems there's a select group that like to go long.
For
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| Utilitarian design comes packed with tons of gear. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
the hardcore offroader who now has kids and all that goes with them to haul along on the weekend adventure, the Unlimited is really the way to go. For the better part it's just as capable as the standard, regular-wheelbase Wrangler when the going gets tough, thanks to a best-in-class approach angle of 44.4 degrees, a breakover angle of 20.8 degrees, and a 40.5 degree departure angle, and when equipped with the optional, electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar, it is able to offer 28-percent greater wheel travel for unparalleled wheel articulation. The top of the line Rubicon model also features the RockTrack two-speed transfer case with 4.0:1 low-gear, locking front and rear Dana 44 axles, and big, beefy 32-inch BF Goodyear tires.
