Go Farther Into The Wilderness With The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Launched In India At Rs 68.94 Lakh

• It is equipped with mud-terrain tyres and an electronically controlled sway bar mount.
• Debuts Jeep’s RockTrac all-wheel-drive system in India.
• It retains the stock Wrangler’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
• Will be imported as a completely built unit (CBU).

Jeep India has launched the tougher Wrangler Rubicon in India at Rs 68.94 lakh (ex-showroom pan-India). Only the five-door variant will be available and deliveries are set to begin from March 15. Although the Wrangler is a capable off-roader, the Rubicon variant adds more tech and features to help it climb rocks and ford rivers.

Other than the black flares, rock rails, and a decal on the bonnet, the Rubicon looks identical to the current-generation Wrangler. The difference lies in the running kit -- it sits higher off the ground and is 10mm taller than the stock SUV. It also gets chunkier mud-terrain tyres and several suspension modifications which give it better approach, departure, and breakover angles.

The Wrangler Rubicon retains the standard model’s leather-wrapped levers, steering wheel, seats, and soft-touch dashboard. The fourth-generation Jeep UConnect infotainment system has an 8.4-inch touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Voice controls govern calling, climate control, navigation and media.

Jeep’s RockTrac system gives the Rubicon full-time all-wheel-drive. It is more advanced than the stock Wrangler’s SelecTrac system and features a full-time two-speed transfer case and TruLock locking differentials. The Rubicon also gets a system which electronically disconnects the sway bars for better wheel articulation off-road.

Under the bonnet lies the same 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine. It makes 268PS and 400Nm of torque transmitted through an 8-speed automatic transmission. The Rubicon variant also gets a bigger battery and alternator.

Jeep imports it as a completely built unit, hence the lofty price tag. Until recently, the Wrangler faced no direct competition in India and passed off its lack of luxury features as a trade-off for impeccable off-roading ability. Now that the Land Rover Defender is here, would you pay for a new Wrangler anymore?