Jeep Wrangler gets Pentastar V6, same pricing
Off-road icon brought into the 21st century with availability of Chrysler's new, all-alloy 3.6-litre petrol V6 matched to a five-speed autoDon’t mess with an icon. That’s the implicit message from Chrysler Jeep, which has released a mildly updated 2012 version of its old-school Wrangler off-roader -- the model retaining many styling and design features that date back to the original civilian Jeeps of the 1940s.
While some bright new exterior colour options add to the drop-top Jeep’s visual appeal, the big news is under the bonnet. Here the previous (and very dated) 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine has been replaced by Chrysler’s latest, all-alloy Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine; already available in the Grand Cherokee.
The 60-degree DOHC 3.6-litre V6 features multiport electronic fuel-injection and delivers improved performance, better fuel efficiency and lower C02 emissions than the previous 3.8-litre petrol.
Power output of the silky smooth V6 is 209kW at 6350rpm, while 347Nm of torque comes in at 4300rpm with 90 per cent available from 1800rpm – up 63kW and 32Nm from the previous petrol engine.
The petrol Wrangler also benefits from the optional fitment of the Mercedes-Benz-designed five-speed auto transmission, replacing the previous four-speed auto.
The petrol-powered Sport two-door Wrangler with either six-speed manual transmission or five-speed auto is now 3.1 secs faster in the 0-100km/h sprint, down from 11.2 seconds to 8.1 seconds.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are virtually identical for both manual and auto versions – 11.2-11.3L/100km and 259-263g/km.
All Wrangler variants, except for the extreme off-road Rubicon, are available with either the new 3.6-litre V6 petrol or existing 2.8-litre CRD turbodiesel with either six-speed manual or optional five-speed auto.
Standard features on the 2012 Wrangler range, which comes in two-door short wheelbase and five-door, long wheelbase variants, include climate control, six-speaker CD/DVD/MP3 media centre with audio jack, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Standard safety features include driver and front passenger airbags, anti-skid brakes, electronic stability control, hill start assist, hill descent control (auto only) and tyre pressure monitor.
The legendary Rubicon Wrangler is available with new options including a body-coloured three-piece hardtop roof, leather seats, heated front seats including height adjustment and map pockets, and body coloured wheel flares.
A special Sahara version of the Wrangler will also be introduced in the first half of 2012, fitted standard with automatic transmission, 18-inch alloys, leather trim, six-disc audio system, body-colour three-piece hardtop and wheel arch flares.
Pricing (MRP), as listed below is unchanged across the range:
Two-door Wrangler Sport 3.6 petrol manual $32,000
Two-door Wrangler Sport 3.6 petrol auto $34,000
Two-door Wrangler Sport 2.8-litre CRD manual $38,000
Two-door Wrangler Sport 2.8-litre CRD auto $39,000
Two-door Wrangler Rubicon 3.6 petrol manual $42,000
Two-door Wrangler Rubicon 3.6 petrol auto $44,000
Four-door Wrangler Unlimited 3.6 petrol manual $36,000
Four-door Wrangler Unlimited 3.6 petrol auto $38,000
Four-door Wrangler Unlimited 2.8-litre CRD manual $42,000
Four-door Wrangler Unlimited 2.8-litre CRD auto $43,000
Four-door Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited 3.6 petrol manual $46,000
Four-door Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited 3.6 petrol auto $48,000
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