Jeep has just unveiled the all-new 2018 Wrangler, a thoroughly modern off-roader that stays true to its roots. It features advanced engine options, safety features, and convenience technology.

Built atop a body-on-frame design, the 2018 Wrangler (codenamed JL) receives a multitude of improvements that optimize its ride, handling, and NVH. It continues to use a five-link coil suspension both front and back but retuned to provide a more comfortable ride when traveling on pavement.





Bolted on to this are lightweight, high-strength aluminum components including the doors, door hinges, hood, fender flares, windshield frame, and swing gate.

The design itself is instantly recognizable with several design homages including the iconic seven-slot grille. That said, designers paid close attention to aerodynamics, sweeping the grille back and increasing the windshield’s rake. And like previous Jeep Wranglers, the windshield is foldable but since it incorporates a four-bolt design, it can be folded in as little as 5 minutes. LED lighting is used all around, from the signal lights to the headlights and taillights.





Of course, the design has also lead to a best-in-class approach angle of 44 degrees, a breakover angle of 27.8 degrees, and a departure angle of 37 degrees. Ground clearance stands at 10.9 inches (276 millimeters) and water wading depth is at 762 millimeters.

Inside, Jeep uses better quality materials and improved build quality. The “heritage-inspired” interior features a lot of available convenience features including a push-button start/stop and water-proof surround sound audio system. The instrument cluster has been modernized with a 3.5 or 7-inch TFT LED display while the infotainment system uses the newest Uconnect system with either a 7 or 8.4-inch screen. Android Auto and Apple Car Play come as standard.





Powering the 2018 Jeep Wrangler are three engine choices including one diesel. The entry-level engine is the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar. Powering more than 5 million cars on the road today, its proven reliability and low-end torque is very important when tackling challenging terrains. It’s been tweaked to deliver 285 horsepower and 352 Nm of torque.

Moving up, is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. Rated at 270 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. It uses a direct injection system coupled with a twin-scroll, low-inertia turbocharger with an electronically actuated wastegate. Keeping the turbo safe, Jeep mounted it directly to the cylinder head while a dedicated cooling circuit lowers the intake air, throttle body, and turbocharger temperatures.




The sole diesel, the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 delivers 260 horsepower and 599 Nm of torque. Developed by Chrysler-owned V.M. Motori, it meets North American emissions standards thanks to numerous changes done to it including a new nozzle design, low-friction pistons, and more.

All but the 3.6-liter V6 Pentastar gets a standard 8-speed automatic transmission (the Pentastar-powered Wranglers come with a 6-speed manual as standard). With two overdrive ratios, it improves the Wrangler’s fuel economy and reduce unwanted NVH. The Rubicon models also have a tweaked crawl ratio of 77.2:1.

Auto Nation Group, Inc., the exclusive distributor of Jeep in the Philippines couldn’t give a precise timeline for the 2018 Jeep Wrangler’s Philippine arrival.

However, Jeep has officially said that it will be making the all-new Wrangler JL alongside the current JK model at its Toledo, Ohio assembly plant. With production for the US market just starting, dealer delivers are expected around the first quarter of 2018. In the meantime, the current Wrangler JK is expected to continue into production at least up to March 2018.

Expect the all-new Jeep Wrangler to arrive in the Philippines no earlier than the third quarter of 2018.