New Jeep Wrangler may fuel small SUV popularity

The UK’s 4x4 market, whilst slightly in decline for overall sales numbers, shows no real sign of collapse following pressure from environmental groups and the higher taxation charges being levied on so called ‘gas-guzzlers’.

A veritable feast of new small, medium and large, fashion, family and workhorse models are keeping the market alive by appealing to a broad spread of customers.

Chrysler Group has done their fair share of new 4x4 and SUV model introductions this year under their Jeep and Dodge labels.

Step forward the all-American new Wrangler range launched in the UK this summer. They now come in the form of the two-door Jeep Wrangler and four-door long wheelbase Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, with prices starting at £17,995 and rising to £23,090.

Peter Lambert, managing director of Chrysler Group UK said, “The new models are a significant step forward from the old vehicle as it offers a diesel engine for the first time, a choice of two and four-door body styles, much better road manners, reduced noise levels, a host of safety features and an all-new interior with space in the Unlimited model for five adults and their luggage.”

It might be new but the newcomer still looks like a Wrangler and Jeep are more than happy to trade on its iconic styling and heritage dating back to the original 1941 Willys MB Jeep.

The latest Wranglers have a new chassis, new exterior and a functional but refreshed interior design, new engines, an electronic stability programme ands traction control across the range.

The newcomer retains its almost unbeatable off-road performance, it is still tough and rugged but it is more sociable to drive and ride in on the road. In addition the new Wranglers offer impressive value for money with much better fuel economy thanks to the introduction of a diesel engine.

Only one per cent of customers are expected to choose the new 3.8-litre petrol engine which is only available for the two-door Rubicon model. All the rest are powered by the latest 2.8-litre CRD common-rail turbodiesel engine from VM Motori. This unit will return almost 30mpg and there is the option of an automatic transmission.

So who will be attracted to the new Wranglers? Jeep says they have two target groups of customers. Firstly they are looking to attract the attention of people who normally buy the Land Rover Defender as a family vehicle.

Secondly they are looking for the Wrangler to appeal to customers who have bought double cab pick-ups in the past as leisure and work transport.

Because of the new higher taxation levels relating to commercial vehicles with several passenger seats, such as double-cabs, this sector of the market has collapsed, down by 23 cent so far this year. People have had their fun with double-cabs but its time to move on to something different and the Wrangler Unlimited could be in the frame.

The convertible hard roof, removable doors and fold-down windscreen are also standard features on the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited, features not offered by the competition.

The Wrangler range will not sell in big numbers, around 1,000 units in the UK in a full year, and the vast majority of these will be the long wheelbase four-door versions. Jeep says the Wranglers will sell in a sector of the UK 4x4 market that has grown threefold in the last five years.

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