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Weekend roadtest : Jeep Wrangler at 70
publication date: Nov 26, 2011
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author/source: David Miles
Jeep,
the all American brand, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2011 but
as of last year it is in the ownership of Italian automotive group Fiat.
Ironic
really when we consider the iconic American Willys Jeep went into production in
1941 as a war machine seeing action around the world, including Italy, with US and Allied forces.
After 1945 The Willys jeep became Jeep and together |  | with the British alternative Land Rover, is the forerunners of today's 4x4/SUV
vehicles and the very popular double cab 4x4 and 4x2 pick-ups.
Today
both Jeep and Land Rover brands do battle with the likes of Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi, to
name but a few, for sales of 4x4 heavyweights around the world.
The
Jeep brand in this market, under the distribution and sales control of Fiat
Group Automobiles UK, now has the revised line-up for 2011. There is the iconic
Wrangler two and four door hard-core 4x4s with prices starting from £22,995
followed by the revised Compass five door mid-sized crossover models with two
and four wheel drive versions priced from £16,995 and the new Grand Cherokee
heavyweight five door 4x4 with prices starting at £36,995.
For 2011 the Jeep Wrangler two and four door models
are offered in three versions, Sport, Sahara
and 70th Anniversary. All
versions have a 2.8-litre CRD four cylinder turbodiesel engine producing
197bhp.
The Sport version has a six speed manual gearbox with stop-start
function and 410Nm (302lb ft) of torque. Sahara and 70th Anniversary
versions with the standard fit five speed automatic transmission has torque
increased to 460Nm (339lb ft) from 1,600rpm.
|  | All versions have as standard the Command-Trac
transfer box allowing for the manual selection, on-the-move, of two or four
wheel drive high ratio.
Four wheel drive low ratio gearing has to be selected
whilst stationary.
All models have Traction Control and in addition Sahara and 70th Anniversary models gain Hill
Descent Control for downhill driving without requiring braking. |
Hill Start
Assist for all versions holds the vehicle stationary for two seconds allowing
the driver time to move their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator. In
keeping with today's current safety requirements the Wrangler has power
steering, variable mode selection electronic stability control, multistage
airbags, halogen headlights and tyre pressure monitoring.
I have just had a Wrangler experience in the 70th
Anniversary two door version priced at £27,595. The family sized four door model costs
£28,995. Although the Wrangler retains
its iconic off-road capabilities, this version is all about fashionable on-road
style. It is very much a ‘look-at-me' model and why not because 70 years has to
be worth celebrating.
This Anniversary model of course is not going to be
a major seller, they will be added to the
car enthusiasts motoring collections and no doubt a few ‘celebrities or
‘wan-a-bees' will use them as high profile personal transport.
For me the Wrangler two door was a drive down
memory lane, a nostalgic trip back to what driving was really like a few
decades ago.
The Wrangler is still great off-road, the interior
is well equipped and seems well put together and there is no doubt it looks a
striking vehicle. But the diesel engine comes from a past age although it is
Euro five compliant.
It is noisy, slow, not very economical and with high CO2
emissions so it incurs heavy taxes. Linked to the old technology five speed
automatic doesn't help either as gearchanges are slow and ponderous.
Top speed is an official 107mph, zero to 62
mph takes 12.9 seconds, the official Combined Cycle fuel consumption is 34.9mpg
but I didn't get close to that with 26.9mpg. But worst of all the CO2 emissions
are 213g/km which means a First Year rate road tax cost of £580 reducing to
£260 from year two onwards. Should this
All-American Jeep be used as a company car then the Benefit-in-Kind tax bandits
will charge you 35 per cent for the privilege of driving this Wrangler.
The on-road handling is all ‘rock and roll',
understandable because of its high ground clearance and long travel suspension,
and the steering is vague and gives little feedback to the driver. The large
18-inch wheels do not help as wheel-wobble is induced after hitting deep
potholes and the big wheels and fat tyres faithfully try to follow all the
ridges and cambers our poor roads offer.
The smaller 16 or 17-inch wheels would be a better. The ride comfort
isn't too bad bearing in mind it is a heavyweight 4x4.
As tough and as strong as the Wrangler is,
either two or four door versions, I was amazed at how low the maximum braked
towing weight is for all models. Just 1,000kg, a third of what other 4x4
heavyweights can tow, so caravan, boat and horse trailer owners will not be
likely customers. | VERDICT
The Wrangler has such a strong iconic image I was
left feeling that a potential owner must suit the Wrangler rather than Wrangler
suiting the buyer.
It was memorable to drive for many reasons but in reality it
is a piece of motoring memorabilia. |  | | |
MILESTONES.
Jeep Wrangler 2-Door 70th
Anniversary. Price: £27,595.
Engine/transmission: 2.8-litre, four cylinder,
direct injection, common rail turbodiesel, 197bhp, 460Nm (339lb ft) from
1,600rpm, 5-speed automatic,
Command-Trac two/four wheel drive transfer box with high/low ratios.
Performance: 107mph, 0-62mph 12.9 seconds, 34.9mpg Combined Cycle (26.9mpg on
test), CO2 213g/km, VED road tax £580 First Year rate reducing to £260 second
year onwards, BIK company car tax 35%. Insurance group: 21. Boot space: 142 to
430-litres. Braked towing weight: 1,000kg.
For:
Iconic Jeep styling, fantastic off-road ability, durable, much improved
interior for 2011.
Against: Slow,
noisy, vague steering, rock-and-roll handling, very low towing weight for a
4x4, high emissions and taxes. © David Miles
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