Wrangler to get “special” treatment

The Jeep Wrangler will be getting the “special” treatment over its final year in JK form, with several named editions to be issued, according to Automotive News’ Larry Vellequette.

The Wrangler JL is due in late 2017, as a 2018 model. Automotive News believes the current JK series will end in September 2017, but one Allpar source believes the JK and JL will overlap for the 2018 model year.

According to the industry weekly, dealers have already been told about the 2017 Wrangler Sport Freedom and Sahara Winter editions, with sales starting in December. Oddly, the Freedom will only last until February, while Winter will continue through May.

The Sport Freedom comes with a star motif on the hood and fenders, an American flag decal on one fender, and other badging; 18-inch Sahara wheels, a new rear differential cover, black fuel door cover, and taillamp guards, for $30,690 (add $3,900 for the four door) including destination.

The Sahara Winter has the LED headlamps and fog lamps introduced this year, along with remote start (automatic only), rock rails, hard top, and numerous decals, badges, and accents. The two door starts at $37,440 with the four door adding $3,800.

Automotive News claimed that other special editions would include the Sport Big Bear, Sahara Chief, Sahara Smoky Mountain, and Rubicon Recon (replacing the Hard Rock in February).

The replacement for the current Wrangler, in production for around a decade, will have an optional eight-speed automatic, which should help both acceleration and economy. It’s set to be built in Toledo, in the plant that currently makes the Cherokee; the current Toledo Wrangler plant may also be used after a refit. The Cherokee will move to Belvidere, Illinois, next month, with the Dart already gone and the current Compass/Patriot slated to be stopped.

Read more at: http://www.allpar.com/news/2016/11/wrangler-to-get-special-treatment-35362