The 2019 Jeep Wrangler Is Here. Well, Almost

• The new Wrangler is expected to come with 3.0-litre petrol and diesel engines.
• Hardcore three-door Rubicon variant also expected to be launched this time.
• Ground clearance stands at 276mm, water wading capacity of 762mm.
• Currently, the Wrangler is priced from Rs 58.74 lakh to Rs 67.60 lakh.

The hairy-chested Wrangler is one of the few SUVs in the world which can be used to make your own roads. The fourth generation JL Wrangler first saw the light in 2017 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Even though a bit late, Jeep will be launching the big bad SUV in India tomorrow. 

A quick recap reveals that Jeep has been testing the new Wrangler in India for almost a year now. The SUV looks oddly similar to the previous generation model and it takes more than a couple of glances to figure out the differences. The boxy styling has been retained and the new Wrangler looks like an SUV from the ‘80s, although with some nifty modern touches. LED headlamps, restyled bumpers and new alloy wheels are the obvious changes at the front and side. The rear section also sees some changes in the form of a revised and beefy looking bumper complete with LED tail lamps. 

The Wrangler is not loved for the way it looks or because it comes with well appointed interiors. The name is synonymous for the way it obliterates trails, lending it the ‘go anywhere vehicle’ tag. To help back those off-road credentials, the fourth-generation Wrangler features an approach angle of 44 degrees, while the  breakover and departure angles stand at 27.8 and 37 degrees respectively. Ground clearance is rated at 276mm, and it also has a claimed water wading capacity of 762mm. 

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Globally, the Wrangler is available with a choice of four engine options. These include two petrol and two diesel engines. What Jeep chooses for the Indian market, though, remains to be seen. Internationally, Jeep offers the choice of a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

The existing version that is available in India uses a 2.8-litre diesel making 200PS/460Nm and the 3.6-litre V6 petrol churning out 283PS and 347Nm of torque. The new Wrangler also gets restyled interiors which now features Jeep’s UConnect 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, round aircon vents, and big controls for the infotainment and climate control. 

As we mentioned before, the fourth-generation Wrangler has been spotted testing a couple of times and we’ve seen the Rubicon variant in its three-door attire along with the Sahara variant. The Rubicon is a hardcore varaint which gets some off-road focussed bits like the Rock-Trac 4x4 system, front/rear locking differentials, Dana 44 heavy-duty axles,  a front sway bar disconnect system, and off-road specific rubber along with minimal cosmetic changes. Currently, the Wrangler is available in Unlimited variant, but it remains to be seen if Jeep will offer the same again.

At present, the Wrangler Unlimited retails for Rs 56.00 lakh to 71.59 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The fourth-generation Wrangler is expected to be priced at a premium. For now, the Jeep Wrangler enjoys being the only niche vehicle of its kind, but things could change when Land Rover launches the new Defender here next year.