New Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Broadens Appeal

[philsshon]

Auburn Hills, Mich., Jan 28, 2004 -Chrysler Group today announced pricing for the new 2004-1/2 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited. With a base Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $24,995 (including $610 destination), the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited --based on the Wrangler Sport model-- gives Jeep owners 15-inches more Wrangler, more space for passengers, best-in-class towing capability, more on-road ride comfort, Jeep 4x4 capability and an innovative new soft-top.

Go anywhere, do anything and now bring everything. The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited delivers double the cargo area with 13 inches more space plus two inches more second row leg room for passenger comfort. Access to the second row is also improved with a tip-and-slide front seat added to the driver's side.

Positioned between the Wrangler Sport and Sahara models, the Wrangler Unlimited expands the already formidable Wrangler line-up, which ranges from the base Wrangler SE model starting at $16,940 to the top-of-the line Sahara ($25,580) and the most capable SUV, the Wrangler Rubicon ($25,755).

While maintaining its legendary 4x4 Jeep capability, the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited also offers more refined, on-road comfort and quietness because of its longer 103-inch wheelbase, which includes an additional 10 inches compared with the original Wrangler. The longer wheelbase results in Wrangler Unlimited's best-in-segment towing capability of 3,500 lbs.

"With the introduction of the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, we're expanding the Wrangler customer base to include those buyers who need more space, yet still want the Jeep 4x4 capability, class-leading towing capability and open-air fun and freedom," said Jeff Bell, Vice President, Jeep, Chrysler Group. "The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is an extension of the original Wrangler buyer group, and will appeal more broadly to younger buyers and those who select this as their primary, secondary or tertiary vehicle with its added space and versatility."

Adding another option to open-air fun, Wrangler Unlimited features an innovative new Sunrider™ soft-top, which includes a "sun roof" feature in addition to the full-top down option. The Sunrider™ soft-top includes larger, deep-tinted side windows. The Wrangler Unlimited is also available with a new hard top.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited features as standard equipment the 4.0-liter PowerTech I-6 engine mated to the 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.0-liter engine is rated at 190 horsepower (142kW) at 4,600 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N·m) of torque at 3,200 rpm.

Also standard on Wrangler Unlimited are the Dana 30 front axle, a rear heavy-duty Dana 44 axle, 30-inch tall R15 Goodyear Wrangler GSA tires, 15-inch Ravine aluminum wheels, high-pressure gas-charged shock absorbers with 3.73 axle ratio, Sunrider™ soft-top, fog lamps, full-steel doors with deep tinted windows, padded Sport Bar, AM/FM stereo with CD, easy access tip-and-slide front seats, fold-and-tumble rear seat, front and rear floor mats, next generation air bags, power steering and tow hooks.

The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers Chrysler Group's transferable seven-year/70,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited are built at the Company's Toledo (Ohio) South Assembly Plant. The Wrangler Unlimited will be sold in North American markets only.

[tgagneguam]

Wow, this is fantastic! I predict it will turn the entire fortunes of DaimlerChrysler around.

Actually, I don't understand why this is such a big deal...

And I have to completely disagree with Alex taylor III's assessment of this vehicle in the article posted in another GMI topic, "Buick LaCrosse, "10 to Watch"." How he gave this weak entry a 5-car rating while at the same time scoring a snazzy new vehicle like the Equinox a 3-car rating (or the fabulous Cobalt a 2-car rating!) is way beyond me.

To misquote a famous NASA quote: DCX, we have a problem.

[paul8488]

amen! how is a stretched wrangler on ANY list? this thing shoulda slipped under the radar, as it surely will the sales chart. it looks like the old stretched suzuki samari! and imagine that side window flapping in the wind! nothing wrong with a jeep... but don't tell me this is anything special DCX!

[sykboy]

And I think it looks funny.

[Tek]

I like it, but then I like just about everything Jeep. The one problem I saw with this is they had a chance to add some rear leg room, but didn't, the back seat is still in the same location as the regular TJ.

[Tim_M]

Not a bad idea, but not a big idea either. Jeep needs new and updated products right now, and DCX sure has wasted a lot of time that should have been spent upgrading its flagship brand. Face it, Jeep is Chrysler's (forget Daimler for a second) Cadillac in terms of brand equity, profit margins, and cultural relevance. I would even go so far as to say that the Chrysler end of DCX is almost worthless without Jeep.

How is it that Dodge got a (hideous) new Durango two years before Jeep got a new Grand Cherokee? Never mind that the Durango looks like the automotive equivalent of a retarded T-rex, Jeep should get priority over every other SUV in the corporate portfolio.

Also, Jeep needs an equally capable new Wrangler and a production version of the Rescue in order to stem the Hummer tide. Also, if Jeep is really going to build a "sissy Jeep" (no locker, live axles) to compete for urban and suburban drivers, the Jeep should be based on a rally-type vehicle that blends off-road performance with on-road performance. Jeep is uniquely positioned in the DCX fold to offer such a vehicle without suffering a credibility problem.