Jeep Wrangler rugs up for winter

The Jeep division of the Fiat Chrysler Group is gearing up for the colder months with a special-edition Polar version of the Wrangler, inspired by the severe climatic conditions of Antarctica.

Available in two-door and Unlimited four-door form, the Wrangler Polar is based on the mid-spec and off-road oriented Overland version, specified to set it apart and justify a $3000 price premium.

Standard powerplant is the 209kW/347Nm Pentastar 3.6-litre petrol V6, driving through the corporate five-speed automatic transmission and delivering off-road traction via Jeep’s part-time Command-Trac 4WD system.

To take you a little bit deeper into the icy wilderness, there’s an optional electronic locker for the Trac-Lok limited slip rear differential. Providing a balance of highway capability and a willingness to venture where others may fear to tread, the Wrangler Polar uses all-terrain Bridgestone Dueler 255/70R18 tyres wrapped around special gloss-black alloy wheels.

This is all assisted by the Wrangler’s 223mm ground clearance, 35 degree approach and 28 degree departure angles (breakover angle is 22 degrees for two-door models and 18 degrees for the long-wheelbase Unlimited).

There’s extra bling, too.

The Wrangler Polar gets its own exclusive colour – Hydro blue – as well as a body-colour grille with black accents, a Mopar Power Dome bonnet, and gloss black front and rear bumper appliqués.

If residents of Australia’s southern states think they know about cold weather, then the Polar Wrangler suggests they consider the implications of the special edition Polar badge fixed to the side of the Wrangler, “which exhibits the 78° S and 106° E coordinates that correspond to the location of Vostok in Antarctica: the exact point where the absolute severest temperature in the world was recorded at -89.2° C.”

Huddling away from the cold inside, Wrangler Polar passengers will be warmed by the (standard-anyway) heated leather seats and reassured by touches such as the ceramic accent grab handle with Polar logo, the pearl stitching on the front seats and front door armrests, and the accent colour finish on the front and rear door grab handles and vent rings.

Regular Overland equipment includes SatNav, climate-control, seven-speaker Alpine audio, reversing camera, Uconnect multimedia system, tyre pressure monitoring, heated exterior mirrors, auto headlights and four one-touch power windows.

Both two-door and four-door Polar Wranglers are $3000 more expensive than regular Overland models. Prior to the application of on-road costs, the two-door Wrangler Polar is priced at $45,500, while the Unlimited is tagged at an even $50,000.