Jeep Wrangler

Wrangler Ropes In A Diesel

At first glance 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sports two-door short wheelbase 4WD appears little different from its predecessors, but be assured Daimler Chrysler have given the Wrangler complete makeover including the important option of a diesel powerplant.

Let’s face it, high fuel prices are here to stay. The five-year disruption to oil flow which is the war in Iraq has no positive outcome in sight, global population growth means China and India want more, and the fact that we have reached peak oil, does not auger well for the reliance on fossils fuels at current absorption rates.

Car manufacturers have been slow to adjust to the new economic pressures but are coming to the party with the rattly ol’ diesel making a resurgence.

Diesel motors are questionable when it comes to urban air quality but the benefits are manyfold. They are more fuel efficient than petrol motors, have a long engine life, do not need points or plugs and diesel is the most available fuel throughout Australia.

Jeep has long been regarded as one of the best off-road vehicles on the market but restricting their international sales has obviously been the lack of smaller engines, let alone diesels in their models.

The Australian 4WD market has been the domain of Japanese car manufacturers, particularly Toyota where in the Australian bush their 4WDs are like what Holdens are to metro roads, in other words, everywhere!

Australia is a big place and costly to get around, especially for those in the outback where long distances and higher fuel prices are the norm.

Bush folk realise that 4WDs, particularly diesel powered, are the best form of travel in these areas, devoid of people, public transport, decent roads and discount fuel outlets.

Daimler Chrysler are after greater penetration into the 4WD market and can be assured of that with the variety of models and configurations they have in store for their 66-year-old Jeep brand.

The new Wranglers have been redesigned from the ground up. Importantly, Jeep has snapped out of the big is best mindset in relation to its vehicles, with a new range that considers economy first with new models, smaller engines, more gears and bigger wheels.

The Wrangler Sport two-door sports utility range is one of the new breed, and available in four combinations starting with the cheapest a 3.8lt V6 petrol six-speed manual at $30,990 (RRP) to a 2.8lt turbo common rail diesel (CRD) five-speed auto at $36,990 (RRP).

Noted for their boulder scaling ability, the Wrangler Sport is also a nimble-footed customer on metro roads thanks to standard equipment including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), and four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Other standard features are front airbags, cruise control, power locks, keyless entry, power windws, 16-inch alloy wheels, skid plates, driver-seat height adjuster, air con, compass and temp gauge, 12V power outlet, and AM/FM CD radio with MP3/Auxillary input and six speakers.

According to Daimler Chrysler, the five-link coil suspension is significantly enhanced over its predecessor with new steering and suspension geometry, 99mm wider track, and all-new shocks and springs. It is 133mm wider and has a 51mm longer wheelbase giving it greater capability off-road, more on-road refinement and better interior ergonomics.

The Wrangler Sport has the required acceleration to make it ideal for the crossover between bush and city.

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