Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Unveiled at NYIAS
The Jeep Wrangler (previously known in Canada as the TJ) is a real one of a kind SUV; it’s one of just a handful of vehicles that is entirely engineered around a single purpose - taking people to the far corners of the earth. For something that started out life as a military machine, the Wrangler has taken off with the general public, becoming one of the definitive automotive icons of the outdoorsy, active lifestyle. In 2005 (actually 2004.5), Jeep introduced a Wrangler with a longer wheelbase called the Unlimited, taking all the principles of the Jeep and stretching them to new lengths. Of course, it too was a hit, offering greater practicality, greater comfort and almost the same level of off-road capability as the regular wheelbase Wrangler. The latest Unlimited, which debuts at this years NYIAS, capitalizes on the all-new 2007 Wrangler by offering greater access through four doors.
Even though it’s a four-door, the new Unlimited is still unmistakably a Wrangler. It still has exposed hinges on all apertures (rear doors included), a fold-down front windshield, and buyers still have a choice between full-frame doors or half-frame doors with zip-up plastic windows. In terms of roofing options, the Wrangler Unlimited comes standard with a soft top roof with the Sunrider sunroof function. For those wanting increased practicality, Jeep will also offer the new Freedom Top modular hardtop roof that consists of three snap-on segments. With the Freedom Top option, buyers can turn the Unlimited from a closed to an open roof vehicle in just thirty seconds, storing the panels on board.
In order to fit an extra set of doors into the Wrangler’s frame, the chassis was stretched by a massive 523 mm (20.6 in) in its wheelbase, for a grand total of 2,946 mm (116.0 in) between its live front and rear axles. Because Jeep knows that its customers are some of the most demanding people on the face of the planet, they’ve taken the necessary precautions in finishing this one properly. Despite being much longer than the TJ Unlimited, the new frame is 100 percent more rigid, and the body is 50 percent more rigid. The new Wrangler is also 20 percent quieter, thanks to better road noise isolation. Interestingly, the previous-generation Wrangler Unlimited was also sought after by some trail-riders who preferred its longer wheelbase for off-road use. Normally the shorter regular wheelbase is the ride of choice by those in the know, the old CJ5 being highly desirable by diehard 4×4 enthusiasts, but it seems there’s a select group that like to go long.
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