THE short-wheelbase Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is again, this time as a everlasting fixture of the broader Wrangler portfolio following its reputation when it was when was briefly supplied as a limited-edition final 12 months.
The revived Rubicon ‘shorty’ will test into native showrooms within the closing quarter of 2021 priced from $64,950 plus on-road prices alongside the remainder of the MY22 Wrangler line-up, which has been trimmed down from 5 full-time members to 4 with the Sport S and Overland each getting the chop.
The axing of the budget-friendly – and short-wheelbase – choices has resulted in a major improve within the Wrangler’s beginning value, given the $61,750 Night time Eagle Limitless is now range-opener.
Slotting in some $5000 downstream of the Rubicon Limitless, the brand new Rubicon shorty shares its five-door sibling’s off-road {hardware} as, together with the Rock-Trac energetic on-demand 4×4 system, 77.2:1 crawl ratio, 4.10 rear axle ratio, digital sway-bar disconnect, Tru-Lok locking differentials on each axles and heavy-duty rock rails.
With the identical alloy wheel design and decals because the five-door, the Rubicon shorty could also be difficult to single out when seen from both immediately in entrance or behind, which is why Jeep might be releasing a limited-edition ‘Gecko’ inexperienced colourway unique to the three-door.
For reference, different colors will encompass black, Vibrant White, Firecracker Crimson, Granite Crystal, Sting Gray, Snazzberry, Hydro Blue and Sarge Inexperienced as per the remainder of the vary.
As regular, energy will come courtesy of the three.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol engine that has gone unchanged for this mannequin replace, nonetheless creating 209kW/347Nm and paired completely to an eight-speed automated transmission.
Customary tools highlights on the shorty embody Rubicon leather-trimmed seats with heating operate within the entrance, a heated steering wheel, 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment system with satellite tv for pc navigation, a reversing digital camera, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 7.0-inch driver info show, adaptive cruise management, a nine-speaker Alpine audio system, entrance and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and distant begin.
To justify the $5000 value premium over the shorty – in addition to the apparent inclusion of two further doorways and an extended wheelbase – Jeep has made a couple of specification tweaks to the flagship Rubicon Limitless, which have bumped its asking value up from $68,250 to $69,950 earlier than on-roads.
The tweaks primarily consist of latest options taken from the ‘Rubicon Luxurious Package deal’ and being made commonplace, corresponding to McKinley leather-based seats, premium door panel trim, heated entrance seats and steering wheel (shared with the shorty) and the path rail administration system.
No tools or value modifications have been made to the Night time Eagle or Overland Limitless.
In line with Jeep Australia advertising and communications director Tom Noble, the Wrangler shorty “is a favorite for passionate off-road lovers”.
“The limited-edition Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon attracted large buyer demand when it was launched final 12 months, ensuing within the run being snapped up so rapidly,” he stated.
“Defining what the enduring Jeep 4×4 is all about, giving the two-door Wrangler a everlasting place within the 2021 line-up was a should, a real illustration of the enjoyable you may have behind the wheel of a Jeep.”
Jeep offered spot on 1000 Wranglers by means of the primary six months of 2021, accounting for a slim 1.7 per cent of the packed sub-$70,000 massive SUV section.
2022 Jeep Wrangler pricing*
Night time Eagle Limitless (a) | $61,750 |
Overland Limitless (a) | $66,750 |
Rubicon (a) | $64,950 |
Rubicon Limitless (a) | $69,950 |
*Excludes on-road prices