New Jeep Wrangler delayed

The 2019 Jeep Wrangler has had its Australian launch delayed because of international demand.

The hotly-anticipated JL-series Jeep Wrangler was originally slated for arrival into Aussie showrooms in November. However, that timeline has now been pushed back to the first quarter of 2019 because of pent-up demand for the new model in other markets, predominantly the US.

Speaking at the international launch of the JL Wrangler on the Rubicon trail in California (USA), Jeep’s Asia Pacific chief Steve Zanlunghi confirmed the Australian arrival would be at least 12 months behind the US.

“We will have a few come in the fourth quarter of 2018, but the actual commercial launch is going to be the first quarter of 2019,” he explained.

“It’s because of the demand we have in Japan [and the US] at the moment, this car is absolutely crushing it.”

The delay will likely have little consequence to Jeep Wrangler fans, who have not seen large-scale change to the off-roader since the introduction of the current JK model in 2007.

The new JL-series Jeep Wrangler is set to gentrify the legendary nameplate with the introduction of new powertrains, electrically-assisted power steering, reduced weight, more technology and safety. Importantly, Jeep also promises to streamline the changes without affecting the Wrangler’s proven off-road ability.

Powertrain choices are yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. Reading between the lines, local enthusiasts will have access to a 3.6-litre V6 first introduced in 2011, along with a new 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder.

At this stage, there will be no manual transmission offered in Australia, only an eight-speed automatic.

In terms of grades, the Wrangler will again be available in two-door and four-door form across several derivatives including the off-road-ready Rubicon.

“There will be a diesel and there will be a petrol,” Zanlunghi coyly confirmed.

“I have been getting emails hand over fist from enthusiasts. Australia is probably the one market in the Asia Pacific that has true off-roaders – they know what the Jeep brand stands for and they will be driving this one to remote locations,” he said.