The Wrangler is a Car Built for Off-road

In terms of comfort, the Wrangler doesn't make such a big leap forward as the new G-Class from Mercedes, but it's not completely unsuitable either. Anyone who can get used to the strong wind noise even at low motorway speeds and can overlook the carelessly designed Styrofoam-look roof lining will not find the callous and spongy steering and the sluggish drive train too bad.

In other words, there's a real sense that the Wrangler is a car that's both designed and built in vast America, and that sees some good everyday manners as a necessary evil.

Let's take another look at the engine and transmission. Initially, the new Wrangler will only be available with a 2.1-liter four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with 147 kW/200 hp and a maximum torque of 450 Newton meters. A two-liter turbo petrol engine with 199 kW/270 hp will follow as a Christmas present at the end of the year.

Both units are coupled to the same eight-speed automatic transmission that is also used in the Grand Cherokee. Once you get used to the somewhat sluggish accelerator characteristic of the diesel, the Wrangler can also be moved sensibly on country roads and highways. However, one should not expect acceleration miracles from the off-road vehicle, which weighs up to 2.6 tons, and the top speed of 177 km/h (156 km/h for the Rubicon) is wanted anyway because of the enormous wind noise and the rocking handling (especially on off-road tires). don't test.

The iconic shape, the radiator grille with its upright air inlets and the two round headlights or the free-standing fenders: the Wrangler remains true to its history and brings the classic design into the present with modern LED technology in the Jeep Wrangler led headlights or very chic rims. Here, the Americans are on par with the aforementioned Mercedes G-Class, the second newborn off-road king of 2018.

What sets the Wrangler apart from all its competitors? You can drive it completely open - really completely. It doesn't matter whether you opt for the modular hardtop, the fabric folding roof or the electric folding roof: If you remove the roof, fold down the windscreen and then detach the three or five doors, the Wrangler becomes the ultimate fresh air transporter.

An off-road convertible with up to five seats and no windows or doors? You won't find that anywhere else, and it's precisely such details that make the Wrangler so popular with fans like Gevenich's off-road vehicle enthusiasts. Then we'll do another round through the forest. Without doors, of course.