Press Kit: 2006 Paris Motor Show

A direct descendent of the original Jeep® – the 1941 Willys MB – the all-new Jeep Wrangler evolves from more than 65 years of legendary 4x4 leadership. Building on the successful, original Jeep formula with an all-new frame, exterior and interior design, engines, and safety and convenience features, Wrangler delivers more capability, refinement, interior space, comfort, open-air fun, power, fuel efficiency and safety features.

The new Jeep Wrangler has its European premiere at the “Mondial de l’Automobile” in Paris.

“The all-new Jeep Wrangler blazes a trail no other vehicle can follow,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. “Just as it did when it first debuted in 1941, Jeep Wrangler sets a new benchmark in off-road capability.

“With more off-road capability, more versatility, more power, more fuel efficiency, more on-road refinement, and more comfort and space, the all-new Jeep Wrangler continues its legacy as the Jeep brand icon. It's simply the best Jeep Wrangler ever,” added Murphy.

Offered outside North America in three models – Wrangler Sport, Sahara and Rubicon – the all-new Jeep Wrangler is lean, rugged and simple, achieving best-in-class off-road capability while delivering a true open-air driving experience. With solid axles, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windscreen and innovative removable and convertible tops, Wrangler retains the brand's coveted core values of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity.

With dozens of different top, door and windscreen combinations, nine exterior colours and available 16-, 17- or 18-inch wheels, the all-new Jeep Wrangler provides a customised appearance for a variety of customers.

For the first time ever in a civilian model, Jeep Wrangler will offer a diesel engine for customers outside North America. The all-new Wrangler, built at Chrysler Group's Toledo South Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio (USA), will be available in both left- and right-hand drive, starting in the first half of 2007.

More Legendary Off-road Capability
Built to master the most rigorous off-road trails, the all-new Jeep Wrangler is the culmination of more than six decades of 4x4 expertise.

Jeep Wrangler offers an available electronic-disconnecting front stabiliser bar – Active Sway Bar System (ASBS) – providing increased wheel travel. The highly capable underpinnings of Jeep Wrangler Sport and Sahara models include an enhanced Dana 30 front axle and enhanced, next-generation heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axle (or Dana 35 rear axle for 3.8-litre petrol engine with automatic transmission). The Wrangler Rubicon model features Dana 44 front and rear axles.

Jeep Wrangler Sport and Sahara models feature the second-generation Command-Trac® NV241 part-time, two-speed transfer case, featuring a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. In addition, an optional Trac-Lok® limited-slip rear differential provides extra torque and grip during low-traction situations, such as driving over sand, gravel, snow or ice.

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model features an Off-Road Rock-Trac® NV241 two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, as well as electric front- and rear-axle lockers for extreme off-road conditions.

More On-road Refinement
While improving its legendary 4x4 Jeep capability, the all-new Jeep Wrangler features more of a refined on-road experience courtesy of an all-new 100 per cent stiffer frame, 50 per cent stiffer body and refined five-link coil suspension. In addition, new steering and suspension geometry provides precise ride and handling characteristics, while new sound-deadening techniques reduce cabin noise by more than 20 per cent.

“The all-new Jeep Wrangler reaches new levels of on-road ride, handling and refinement – an achievement realised while also boosting its off-road capability,” said Donoughe. “The all-new suspension enables Jeep Wrangler to corner flatter with less lateral motion, provide better on-centre steering feel, and more effectively absorb on-road bumps and cracks.”

Jeep Wrangler’s shock absorbers are tuned to provide improved balance between jounce and rebound motions, achieving an extremely responsive suspension. All Wrangler models feature standard high-pressure monotube shocks, utilising Low Speed Tunable (LST) valve technology.

The all-new Jeep Wrangler's new recirculating-ball steering configuration features a robust cross-car steering linkage system, providing the stiffest possible steering linkage in a solid-axle vehicle, for a precise on-centre feel. Lower spring rates on the suspension provide more of a soft, comfortable on-road ride.

Standard on the all-new Jeep Wrangler is an Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving manoeuvres on any type of surface. ESP features three modes: “full on,” “full off” and “partial on.”

More Interior Space and Comfort
The Jeep Wrangler's all-new interior is designed with new features and functionality, increased passenger comfort and improved ergonomics. The spacious, durable interior features a new instrument panel and centre stack, and new high-back front bucket seats.

Interior volume provides more passenger space, versatility and cargo storage. The all-new Jeep Wrangler provides 13cm (5.1 in.) more shoulder room and 11.7cm (4.6 in.) more hip room.

New front seats are sculpted and conform to the body, and a driver's seat height adjuster is standard for optimised seat position and comfort. Jeep Wrangler Sahara and Rubicon models feature cloth seats with YES Essentials fabric – an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile that protects seats from stains, odours and discolouration.

Rear seats comfortably accommodate two adults with 9.9cm (3.9 in.) more shoulder room, 4.1cm (1.6 in.) more hip room and 2.5cm (1 in.) more legroom than the Jeep Wrangler’s predecessor. A fold-and-tumble feature allows rear seats to be conveniently stowed for additional storage capacity.

Five more centimetres (2 in.) of space behind the rear seat increases the cargo capacity of the all-new Jeep Wrangler. The extra space provides room for a new underfloor storage area, which secures small items out of sight in the rear cargo area.

More Options for Open-air Fun
An all-new, three-piece modular hardtop – Jeep’s Freedom Top™ – features left- and right-front passenger panels and a rear section, providing more options for open-air driving in the all-new Jeep Wrangler. Removing left- and right-front passenger panels is quick and simple and may be accomplished by one person.

Also available in the all-new Jeep Wrangler is the innovative Sunrider® soft top, which includes a “sun roof” feature in addition to the full top-down option. This soft top provides a second open-air option by folding the soft top back completely over first-row occupants to create a 132x76cm (52x30-in.) sun roof opening – larger than any typical glass sun roof.

More Powerful and Fuel-efficient Engines
Available for the first time in a civilian model is a diesel engine for Jeep Wrangler. Built by VM Motori, this all-new 2.8-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine is a 2766cc (169 cu. in.) four-cylinder, in-line engine, with belt-driven double overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.

The iron cylinder block is an open block design with a ladder frame bed plate and integral liners. The aluminium cylinder head features a side-entry swirl intake port and a directed intake port. A Bosch EDC 16 common-rail direct-injection fuel system is incorporated along with an electronically controlled EGR valve and variable geometry turbocharger.

The 2.8-litre diesel engine is available with a six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic transmission. Maximum power is estimated at 130 kW (177 hp DIN), and peak torque is estimated at 410 Nm (302 lb.-ft.) between 1800-2400 rpm.

A new 3.8-litre overhead valve V-6 petrol engine is featured on all Jeep Wrangler models. With an estimated 153 kW (208 hp DIN) and 325 Nm (240 lb.-ft.) of torque, Wrangler comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission or an available automatic transmission.

The 3.8-litre petrol engine produces more horsepower and torque than its predecessor, and maintains higher torque at speeds above 3400 rpm, allowing for an expanded operating range. Fuel economy figures are also expected to be improved over the prior petrol engine.

New, Authentic, “Not Afraid to Get Dirty” Jeep Design
The all-new Jeep Wrangler continues Wrangler’s legacy as the icon of the Jeep brand. With its rugged “form equals function” design, it is clearly recognisable as the original Jeep.

While staying true to the original formula, Jeep Wrangler’s appearance is modern and precise, with clean, crisp lines and improved fit and finish. Wrangler-signature “must-have” features are refined, including classic round headlamps, a signature seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel flares, exposed forged hinges, a fold-down windscreen, sport bar, removable tops and doors, available full-framed or half doors, and hard and soft tops.

The all-new Jeep Wrangler is wider, taking on a brawnier appearance. The body features new sheet metal with a slight crown, providing a strong and robust presence.