Jeep's second SEMA Concept: the Wrangler Ultimate
click above image to view 16 high-res pics of the Jeep Wrangler Ultimate
Jeep is not only going to display its JT Concept at the 2007 SEMA Show, but also this vehicle, the Wrangler Ultimate. Not that the new four-door Wrangler Limited needs any more exposure (demand is currently outsripping supply for the popular configuration), but the Wrangler Limited takes that vehicle and adds some urban flair to make it more eye-catching to the valet crowd.
The Wrangler Ultimate gets the same rock-crawling hardware showcased on the JT Concept, which includes a 3-inch lift kit and 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires, but also gets a set of handsome forged 18-inch aluminum wheels from Alcoa. The Jeep design team decided to dump the entire Mopar catalogue of accessories on the Wrangler Ultimate's exterior, which gets some fancy sparkle and shine from ts chrome fuel filler door, taillamp guards, tubular side steps, exterior mirrors, tow hooks, door handles, hood hinges, and overlays for the front fascia. The Liquid Charcoal Pearl Coat exterior paint color is not available from the factory, either.
The Wrangler Ultimate's interior also gets the show car treatment with seats upholstered in a mesh fabric and trimmed in dark slate gary Nappa/Province leather bound with a heavy black leather baseball stitch. There are additional orange trim pieces on the steering wheel, shift knob and passenger handlebar, while the floor shifter appears to have a wooden trim piece, as well. Again, don't expect the Wrangler Ultimate to be an option package anytime soon, but at least Jeep has proven that you can dress up its weekend warrior.
Check out the high-res gallery full of 16 high-res pics of the Jeep Wrangler Ultimate.
[Source: Jeep]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David 4:50PM (5/22/2007)
This truck needs a decent engine. Untill then its an also ran to me. FJ is better for the money.
How they designed a new jeep that got a lot heavier then they threw in a minivan 3.8 engine from 20 years ago is beyond me. Should have kept the 4.0 at a minimum. 0-60 in 11.6 seconds? comon. And I know its meant for slow offorading, but it has no power for that either.
Autoblog just showed a aftermarket firm putting 6.1 hemis in them easily. How come they can put a 6.1 Hemi but Jeep cant put the 3.7 or 4.7 or the 5.7 in it atleast?
Very dissapointed.
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rip 4:58PM (5/22/2007)
that interior is nasty.
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all_that 5:08PM (5/22/2007)
The "Ultimate" Wrangler has an automatic? Hmm..maybe this isn't the best name for the concept.
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Viv 5:26PM (5/22/2007)
Probably the most idiotic location i have ever seen for window switches?? Not a big fan of all that orange either.
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Mr. Fletcher Esq. 5:51PM (5/22/2007)
#1: The 4.0L straight six couldn't meet tightening emissions standards, and from what I gathered at AllPar.com the manufacturing equipment was simply worn out.
Chrysler (I love saying that again instead of Daimler-Chrysler) put in a simple reliable engine with a low peak for torque. The 3.7 and 4.0 V6s may produce more horsepower and torque, but at higher RPMs than than the minivan motor. The 3.8L V6 is the best engine in Chrysler's current inventory that matches the off-road driving dynamics of the Wrangler. Also from what I've heard at AllPar is the 3.7 and 4.0 V6s wouldn't have enough excess production capability to meet the Wrangler's needs.
Chrysler won't put a V8 in for fuel economy reasons. Wranglers were never known for the economy, but a V8 would be a guzzler.
Is the minivan motor the perfect motor? No, but it seems to work well-enough for now. I'm sure in 2010-11 when the Phoenix V6s come online they will produce more power. Until then Chrysler made the best decision with what they had. Off-roaders are saying the 3.8L V6 is doing okay and their opinion is what matters most.
I agree with you that the Wrangler is way too heavy even with all the improvements. I wish all auto manufacturers would start putting the vehicles on a diet.
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The Doctor 5:34PM (5/22/2007)
Hmm... that lateral line that skips the doors seems awfully familiar...
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mehugtree 5:36PM (5/22/2007)
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
Jeep knows there enough idiots out there to buy a blinged-out 4x4.
Is this any worse than an H2? Does this insure that the very capable Jeep will never see the dirt?
wrong on so many levels.
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dakota 6:16PM (5/22/2007)
Hey Viv, you do realize that you can totally remove the doors? Hence the placement of the window switches.
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Blake 6:12PM (5/22/2007)
I prefer my off-roaders bling-free, thanks. That aside, I really like the body-color panels and interior.
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Derrick 6:31PM (5/22/2007)
Instead of this fluff, Jeep should put more money (R&D) into a better more fuel-efficient engine instead of the gas hog that it uses now. I would buy a wrangler unlimited if it wasn't for the gas mileage issue...
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benarend 2:12PM (5/23/2007)
I don't like the fluff either but there's a variable in the road load equation called "co-efficient of drag". Driving a barn down the road with tall fat tires will take lots of fuel even if you're engine were 100% efficient.
MikeW 6:45PM (5/22/2007)
Chrysler needs to put something better than a 4 speed auto, come on.
The 545RFE is offered with the diesel, but not in the states.
The W5a580K (if Daimler lets them continue to use/build it) would be an improvement over the 4 speed, but how about Chrysler's new 6 speed auto.
It would be nice to have the stroked 3.5, the 4.0 V6, to go toe-to-toe with the 1gr-fe (4.0 V6) in the FJ cruiser.
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... 7:46PM (5/22/2007)
i hate the exposed screws. i mean it does give it a "rugged" look, but couldnt car theives just disassemble your car and run off with the pieces?
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AMcA 8:32PM (5/22/2007)
Why, just why is it that the automakers seem to have such a hard time actually marketing these kinds of upgrades?
Seriously, everything on this car is just a slightly different part, or a nicer surface on some other part. Not all that tough to do, if they'd just go to the effort. And if they'd get out of the way-mass production mindset.
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Toledo Guy 9:09PM (5/22/2007)
First off, there is no such vehicle as a "Wrangler Limited". Wranglers come in X, Sahara, and Rubicon models.
Couldn't agree more with those of you who are wondering why there isn't a better engine/tranny combination. Ever since the 3.8/4-speed auto powertrain was announced for the vehicle, I was underwhelmed.
I think this model looks great, but without the motor to go with it, I'll pass. Knowing Chrysler, they probably wouldn't offer it with the manual. I've got just over a year left on my Commander lease, c'mon Jeep, gimme something new!
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c_mac 8:59AM (5/23/2007)
What he meant was Unlimited. It's the 4 door version that you get in all trim levels (which are, indeed, X, Sahara and Rubicon) :-)
Calin, Toronto
Doogs 10:26PM (5/22/2007)
1 - It's a Wrangler. Why does it need "urban flair"? Isn't that what the Grand Cherokee is for? Damnit, Jeep, let the Wrangler be the Wrangler.
2 - Instead of the bling, how about a good diesel? Give me a Wrangler Unlimited that can pull down 27-28 MPG, and I'll give you my money (you listening, Cerberus?)
3 - That first paragraph is a wreck.
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Brian in CA 12:51AM (5/23/2007)
No-one who is urban dwelling and dotes on bling will care about the 4:1 case or the front & rear lockers. Anyone who does will bemoan the hybrid 30/44 front end and the fact that you must have a 3" lift to run 35's. My wife's H2 runs 37's with zero lift. Jeep had best move the Wrangler line back to the core or they will be in serious trouble quite soon (they MUST give YJ/TJ owners a reason to move to KJ).
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rick 8:58AM (5/23/2007)
Damnit, Jeep, let the Wrangler be the Wrangler.
I couldn't agree more. Chrome on a Wrangler just doesn't make it for me. IT sort of makes it look like a piece of jewelry when it is a tool.
As for engines, I can't believe that Chrysler (that does sound good doesn't it?) still does not have a four cylinder in this as a base engine.
The eassiest, quickest thing I think that they could do is take a page out of the old IH book (International Harvester used to get their four by using half of a 392 V8) and cut a 5.7 in half and quickly put a HEMI 4 up and going in production for this thing. That would be cool and would probably get better mileage than the 3.8. That would make a great adition to the lower end of engines, and if they could add the CRD diesel that the Liberty used, that would have the diesel option covered.
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Toledo Guy 9:07PM (5/23/2007)
The writer probably did mean "Unlimited", I agree. But shouldn't we expect an automotive journalist to get it right on the first try?