While structural integrity is a major component in safety, the
 |
| Wrangler now has stability control and side airbags. Wow! (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
Wrangler offers many new passive and active features, making it the safest to date. All Wranglers feature dual-stage front airbags and ABS brakes with brake assist as standard, but the real leap forward comes from the addition of optional seat-mounted side airbags, and a three-mode stability control program with on, off and partial-on settings, for a variety of different settings - the latter item being standard, by the way. The stability control system is also linked to DaimlerChrysler's Electronic Roll Mitigation system that uses the engine and brakes to intervene if a rollover is detected by monitoring speed and steering angle.
Even
 |
| Longer wheelbase and body, plus clever storage solutions cure cargo-related woes of regular Wrangler. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
though the Unlimited grants rear-passengers with more space and legroom, cargo space hasn't suffered at all; in fact, because the vehicle on the whole is much larger, luggage space been improved significantly. With the rear 60/40 split folding rear seats upright, owners have an entire 1,311 L (46.3 cu-ft) at their disposal, and when they're folded, it nearly doubles to 2,350 L (83 cu-ft) with a completely flat floor. That means that with the Unlimited you can carry more of your stuff into the wilderness than almost any other heavy-duty off-roader - XTerra, H3, and FJ Cruiser included! Because security has always been an issue with the soft-top Wrangler, Jeep added an under-floor locking storage space, a 32-percent bigger locking glove box and a lockable console armrest.
The Wrangler Unlimited will be offered with a sole powerplant; the new 3.8-litre OHV V6 engine that makes 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Not only is this replacement engine more powerful than the old 4.0-litre inline-six, it's more efficient to boot. Available with a six-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic, the Unlimited has the ability to tow 1,588 kilos (3,500 lbs) total. While this is good news, many off-road enthusiasts will long for European-bound models, which, for the first time will receive a CRD turbodiesel powerplant, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
It's true that the body of the new Wrangler Unlimited is a bit
 |
| Wrangler also gets a new 3.8-litre V6 engine for more rock-crawling power. (Photo: DaimlerChrysler Canada) |
shocking, given that in its entire history Jeep has never given a production version of this authentic rock crawler four doors (a concept dubbed Dakar was an instant hit when it debuted in 1997, but never saw the light of day. But you can see it in the gallery - Ed.), but there's plenty of indication that the move will help pull in SUV buyers who might never have considered a Wrangler otherwise. At heart, this is still a Wrangler in every sense; in its character and in its details. Therefore the cause of the fun-loving, go-anywhere, do-anything 2004.5 to 2006 Wrangler Unlimited can only be helped by the decision to make its rear seats more accessible via four doors. Now all that's left to do is bring that diesel here!
