Click the pic for a hi res image
We're not done yet with the flood of vehicles the Chrysler Group has prepared for the SEMA show in Las Vegas next week. The next one comes from Jeep in the form of the diesel-powered Wranger Rubicon Unlimited. The Jeep/Truck engineering-design shop run by Ralph Gilles has beefed up the Wrangler Unlimited with a pair of Tru-Lok Dana 44 axles capped with 35-inch BFG tires mounted on custom 18-inch aluminum rims by Taneisya. The Warn winch up front provides a Get Out of Jail Free card for the careless rock crawler, and it's mounted on an American Expedition Vehicles front bumper. All exterior body panels are sprayed with Rolex Silver paint that turns the Wrangler Rubicon Limited into a passable Mercedes-Benz G-wagon impersonator. But what really excites us about this Jeep is the 3.0-liter CRD diesel engine that powers it. We count ourselves in the camp that's very eager for Jeep to drop an oil-burner into the Wrangler, especially since the new Wrangler's 3.8-liter V6 doesn't have the same low end grunt the previous in-line six possessed. We're hoping this SEMA concept from Jeep is a portent of things to come for the Wrangler.
BTW – Jalopnik also has live shots of the Nitro Panel Wagon we previewed last week.
[Source: Jalopnik]
Related posts:
- More Chrysler SEMA stuff: HEMI-powered Dodge Nitro
- Nutha SEMA sled: Chrysler's SEMA Sebring
- Chrysler 300C Pullman stretches the idea of big American sedans
EXCERPT FROM PRESS RELEASE
Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
• Builders: Jeep Truck Engineering-Design Aid Build Shops
• 3.0L Common Rail Diesel
• 230 horsepower and 390 lbs-ft. of torque at @ 2,800 rpm
Takes the already off-road benchmark Jeep Wrangler to a whole new level. Built by a team of dedicated Jeep enthusiasts, this Wrangler represents the best of the best of what Jeep has to offer.
The interior features custom Katzkin leather seating with GPS navigation and satellite radio.
Plenty of power and traction with the new 3.0L CRD diesel under the hood and the incredible Tru-Lok-equipped Dana 44 axles underneath. Performance suspension lift allows clearance for 35-inch BFG Mud Terrain tires mounted on Custom 18-inch aluminum wheels supplied by Taneisya.
The exterior features a Warn 9.5ti winch mounted on American Expedition Vehicles new front bumper. A full-size spare is carried by our new Mopar performance rear bumper. And it looks like a billion bucks – sprayed in a rich Rolex Silver paint.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
O.I. @ Oct 28th 2006 8:30AM
Looks great, I'd take one of these over a Hummer anyday.
Kaleb @ Oct 28th 2006 11:23AM
Cool. The diesel is the most important part to me. The chrysler mini van V6 that they have stuck in the new wranger just doesnt cut it. If they can get the peak torque down to where the 4.0 was then maybe it would work. The best thing would be the diesel. That or bring the 4.2L back with it's 1800 rpm peak torque.
big jim @ Oct 28th 2006 12:38PM
the production version of the RESCUE, this better be Jeeps answer to the H2
jim @ Oct 28th 2006 1:14PM
Kaleb+me... The 16/19mpg does not cut it in the modern World. We are going to have to buy for FOUR YEARS FROM NOW when we have to get rid of this sh_t. Hell, a 180mph Carrera-S get's 26hwy?! Bring on a 2-3L diesel. Get off your ass Detroit!
j i m
Tool @ Oct 28th 2006 1:43PM
If I'm not mistaken, Jeep doesn't produce a hardtop version of the Wrangler. Why not . . . this looks really cool.
crazy @ Oct 28th 2006 1:50PM
Nice looking if your a girl. Hummer has a much better look!
joe @ Oct 28th 2006 2:10PM
I would have bought that over my FJ and a diesel would have made me want it even more!
I hate the Hummers. They make my 18-20 mpg in my FJ seem like a dream.
Jp @ Oct 28th 2006 3:18PM
So thats what the new Liberty looks like!?!?!!
pbrown @ Oct 28th 2006 3:19PM
This and the Gladiator is what jeep should be selling not the patriot and liberty,time for jeep to get back to its roots,hell bring back the Honcho pickup,and get rid of the mini van V-6.
El Norte @ Oct 28th 2006 3:37PM
"If I'm not mistaken, Jeep doesn't produce a hardtop version of the Wrangler. Why not . . . this looks really cool."
This is the hardtop that's available, just prep'd and painted in matching silver. Pretty cool hardtop, too, with removable panels over the front seats.
felonious monk @ Oct 28th 2006 3:42PM
If the Wrangler hits the showroom floor like that, instead of several thousands of aftermarket parts and bills, I'd consider it.
S.Morgan @ Oct 28th 2006 9:33PM
"FLENDERS".....................! What a 30K Joke!
S. Morgan @ Oct 28th 2006 9:39PM
I am just kidding, I really love it but am bitter because I dont have one...
J.Clifton @ Oct 28th 2006 9:42PM
I don't know what the big deal is, I have two minivans with this motor and i LOVE IT! Thumbs up to Jeep for the front wheel drive Compass! I have one of those as well and think 4WD is overated!
Barney @ Oct 28th 2006 9:56PM
Sold! if it's made to be a true 4X4. The diesel will have the torque to let it go slow and the wheel base appears to be short enough to allow the jeep to be maneuverable off-road. It's nice to have put that great looking sheet metal around that engine and obviously learned what a Cummins did for their pickups.
G. Potter @ Oct 29th 2006 1:15PM
It looks like Jeep might not have lost their way after all. This just might be my next 4X4!!........but I guess it has to show up in the showroom first doesn't it.......
Mike @ Oct 30th 2006 12:04AM
Four door wrangler rocks...Humvee stole the Jeep grill and Jeep stole their extra doors. Jeep needs to put the HEMI in Wrangler. They have had large V-8s in the past why not now?
J Trevor @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:42PM
Hummer didn't "steal" Jeep's grill nor did Jeep steal Hummer's 4 doors. AM General was spun off as a subsidiary OF Jeep in 1983, so they essetially SOLD that grill. I guess they didn't anticipate their military branch becoming their own competition. Shame. They should've kept it. Secondly, the 4 door wrangler is nothing new. A 4 door version of the CJ-7 was available in Brazil in the 1970s and looked basically the same as this new model. Its an old idea, recycled and well done, I might add.
C.W. Walker @ Nov 12th 2006 6:41PM
Maaannn! You guys at jeep are hard to figure out. Why has it taken you so long to do this? To 99% of the people who own jeeps, this is and has been for the last 15 years, a HUGE NO BRAINER! The only competition the jeep wrangler has is the Land Rover Defender, and an equal one at that. Cost is their only poison. There is a hidden market out there in the U.S. and it is the small pickup market. The jeep unlimited diesel is a perfect place to start. Most of the small truck market buyers would buy american if they had a worthy choice to pick from. I think jeep could take a portion of that market with a new jeep pick up, ad a diesel and the competition is done. You guys need to cut off the oil company lobbists and do this for the people of the United States. Oh, and by the way we all know that you have the technology to allow these vehicles to get 30+ miles per gallon with the diesel, so to avoid pissing people off by curbing the mpg's, just do what is right for the people and tell the oil guys to kiss your behind!!!!!!!!!! You need to do this!!!!!!!
I will be the first one to the dealership and trade in my 110 defender on a new wrangler 4 door with a diesel. Got to have the auto and the 6 speed as options.
Godspeed
Chris
Scott @ Nov 28th 2006 8:48AM
Does anyone know if this Diesel will be available or a v8 in the near future?