At long last, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has come out in the open with its plan to launch a Jeep Wrangler pickup truck in 2019. It has been quite some time since Jeep treaded the pickup domain. Remember, it had its Comanche way back in 1992.
Thereafter, it had kept auto enthusiasts excited with its pickup concepts like the Jeep Gladiator based on the Wrangler platform, which it had showcased in the 2005 Detroit Auto Show and the Jeep-J-12 model in 2012. However, nothing formal was announced then.
This time around, though, Jeep Head Mike Manley and the Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne have, through their recent official announcement about the Jeep Wrangler 2019, set the pulses racing in the pickup segment.
An awe-inspiring amount of $700 million is being spent on Fiat Chrysler’s Toledo Assembly Complex to make it ready to manufacture the pickup – and the whole world seems to be waiting for it with bated breath.
How will the new Wrangler look like?
While the company has not released any official photos, there are spy photos doing the rounds of the Internet. One can gather from these pictures that it looks like a Wrangler, albeit with a difference. The front bonnet part seems to be more angled than the earlier models.
The grill slates are expected to be on the lines of the earlier Wrangler models, ensuring a rough and tough look. The headlights appear to be understated as far as the style quotient goes. However, keeping in with the Jeep tradition, they are likely to be powerful.
One of Wrangler’s signature features has been its removable doors. They are expected to be retained in the new Wrangler.
Enhanced Environmental Sustainability
The company is reportedly considering opening the door for a predominantly aluminum body, which would reduce the vehicle’s weight, without impacting its sturdiness factor. This will also help bringing down the fuel consumption, something that has never really been the forte of Jeep. Looks like they are borrowing a page from Ford on that one since they make their pickups for sale out of aluminum. Hopefully they do not borrow anything from GM like when it comes to getting a tax payer bailout!
As the global trend is increasingly in favor of sustainable transport solutions, there are strong rumors floating around the market that the company would also be coming up with diesel as well as hybrid versions of the pickup.
More Powerful Engine
A game-changing transformation could be that the 2019 model may say goodbye to the Hellcat engine. The new Wrangler is expected to be powered by a 300 hp turbocharged, four-cylinder engine that has been codenamed ‘Hurricane’. It would be a significant upgrade from the 285 hp Penstar V6 that is powering the current models of Wrangler.
State-of-the-art Features
The new Wrangler is expected to be top of the line in terms of overall design and features. The popular removable roof concept is likely to continue with the new Wrangler. In fact, the company is said to be contemplating having three different roof configurations. Will we see one in the next amazing Transformers movie? Who knows?
The interior is expected to be a notch up the current Wrangler model. The pickup is expected to feature the latest infotainment system, along with state-of-the-art GPS tracking system.
With cutting-edge innovation combined with its original character, the Jeep Wrangler 2019 is all set to be one of the most awaited new launches in recent automotive history.