Made-in-India Jeep Wrangler Coming Soon! Bookings Now Open

• The venerable Wrangler to be locally assembled in India for the first time.

• The SUV will come in two variants, probably the Sahara and Rubicon.

• It could also get an 80th Anniversary Limited Edition variant.

• The new Wrangler is expected to be priced around Rs 40 lakh.

• The Wrangler aside, two new localised Jeep models expected to arrive in India by the end of 2022.

FCA India has announced that production of the locally assembled Wrangler is underway at its Ranjangaon facility. The iconic off-roader will be brought as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit and then assembled domestically. The Wrangler will be the second Jeep SUV to be produced at the Maharashtra facility (the first being the Compass).

In an interview with us, Partha Dutta, FCA India President and MD, confirmed that the 2021 Wrangler, set to be launched on March 15, would be available in two variants, likely to be the Unlimited Rubicon and Unlimited Sahara. Jeep India’s website has previewed the Sahara variant, which retails in the USA at USD 38,645 (approx Rs 27.96 lakh). Like the Compass, the Wrangler could get an ‘80th Anniversary’ limited-run variant. However, the 2-door version is unlikely to be offered here.

The current model is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol motor that puts out 268PS and 400Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The Wrangler’s off-road prowess is thanks to a low-range gearbox and locking differentials on either side. Also, Jeep may provide a 2.2-litre diesel engine in the new, locally assembled SUV.

The imported Wrangler retailed from Rs 63.94 lakh to Rs 68.94 lakh in India. Now, thanks to it being locally assembled, prices could significantly come down to around Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom).

Pre-launch bookings are now open on Jeep India’s website. FCA plans on launching two more locally-built models in the country by the end of 2022. These are likely a 7-seater Fortuner-rivalling SUV and the new Grand Cherokee. In India, the Wrangler will compete with off-road SUVs like the Mahindra Thar and Land Rover Defender.