2018 Jeep Wrangler, 5+ new designs just in time to put under your tree

After a long hiatus Jeep is once again offering a choice of engine types to power it's new Flagship. Jeep already shows some information on its 2018 Wrangler Rubicon page.

1. New Engines for Jeeps

Coming back is the 3.6L Pentastar with a few standard upgrades like the 8 speed automatic transmission and the engine start/stop technology, seen in the Grand Cherokee, to increase fuel efficiency. By the way, the 2018 Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks are reaching dealers these days.

Also available is a 2.0L, 4Cyl turbo/8 speed tranny for those rice burner, tuner types that want to swap it out in their little Honda Civics.

Coming late to the show, and by late I mean several years projected for 2019, is a new 3.0L V6 turbo diesel with its own transmission (8HP75), that also incorporates the engine start/stop technology.

2. New Displays

Jeep is not just stopping there. They have made quite a few changes to their bread winner and some you may like, some not so much. New features I like is the new larger screen NAV/radio that includes Off-Road system pages for when you get lost on your favorite trail, and the return of the Alpine sounds system. On the Rubicon and 4dr Sahara Package (Jeep is losing the 2dr Sahara), will be a new 7" colored digital cluster display with the Wrangler Sport getting the 3.5 inch display. See my earlier story discussing both the excitement and skepticism of the new 2018 Jeep Wrangler. In fact, just a day before the LA Auto show The Drive and Fox News report that according to an insider information convertible Jeep Scrambler pickup is coming in 2019.

3. Old and New Tops

Rumored is a new three piece powered hard top as well as possible see through panels but it has been confirmed that Jeep will be keeping the hard top Freedom Tops as well as the sunrider soft top. They will have an optional powered soft top for those who, like me, would rather just push a button.

4. New Jeep Wrangler Looks

Not so high on my list of likes for new changes is the longer and flatter hood. I liked the sloping short hood of the JK/JKU Jeep Wrangler. Maybe it was needed as they increased the size of the new seven slot Jeep grill. Also not high on my list is the new larger and greater rake to the windshield. But I guess you need it to be able to see over that new bulbous bow.

5. Changes Underneath

Now I haven't looked under a new Rubicon in a little while, but it was my impression the Rubicon was the recipient of the Dana D44 axle. Something you didn't get with the Sport or Sahara models. This is changing with the new 2018 JL/JLU's. The D44 axles will be going to the lower end models with the Rubicon getting the wider Dana D2200 axle. I can't wait to hear the arguments over this piece of information. Either way, the Sport gets the D44 and that makes this writer happy.

If you want a fairly complete list of the new features of the new Jeep Iconic Wrangler, here is a Jeep forum that lists them. http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/2018-jeep-wrangler-jl-jlu-and-2019-pickup-jt-info-specs-compilation.21/ as there are too many to put here in this article. I wrote a previous article on the new Jeep listing some negative possibilities. After some research, I am feeling more positive.

Let me know what you think. Are you looking forward to the first Fiat Wrangler or do you think the Americanism of it is slowly being drained for a more European model? Is it still a symbol of American Freedom? Comment below. If you liked this article and think it may help your friends, consider sharing or tweeting it to your followers.