As a break from tradition, the JL body Jeep Wrangler will be available with a turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder engine. Sources say the 268-horsepower, 295 lb-ft turbo four is now available to be ordered from Jeep dealers,
according to a post at the JL Wrangler forums.
The kicker is that even though choosing the 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo is a $1,000 option over the base, 285-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with 260 lb-ft of torque, it will only be available with an eight-speed automatic transmission which is itself a $2,000 option, bringing the turbo total to $3,000.
Reasons to go for the blown four banger include most likely better fuel economy and improved full-throttle acceleration, even if a six-speed stick shift option would be a good companion for a turbo engine.
Our test drive in December noted the overall gearing of the automatic to be quite low, which traditionally compromises fuel economy. Interestingly, there will be a “mild” eTorque
plug-in hybrid version of the JL Wrangler in 2020, based on the aforementioned turbo engine.
The other upcoming engine option will be a 3.0-liter V6 diesel, with a nearly similar 260-hp power figure but a more substantial 442 lb-ft torque reading.
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