Jeep Wrangler Rubicon: Exceeding ordinary thresholds

The range-topping and off-road oriented version of what is already one of the best off-road vehicles money can buy, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is as near unstoppable as passenger vehicles get. Short of highly modified, military and specialised off-roaders, the Rubicon version of Jeep’s defining model line is as good as it gets.

Launched earlier this year, the latest Rubicon is, as expected, factory-fitted with extensive off-road hardware, but also benefits from the new Jeep Wrangler model line’s across the board improvements in practicality, efficiency, usability, refinement, convenience and driver assistance and infotainment technology.

Iconic impression

With a lineage going back to the original 1941 US Army Willys Jeep, the all-new “JL” series may be the most sophisticated iteration of the iconic Jeep Wrangler line, yet retains a true ability and authenticity rooted in its past and reflected in its familiar design cues, ruggedly traditional body-on-chassis construction and integrated rollover protection bars. Utilising a greater degree of lightweight components and with a slightly more swept back grille and windshield for efficiency and refinement, the new “JL” Wrangler is immediately recognisable with its trademark seven-slot grille, tapered bonnet, large wheel-arches, short overhangs and boxy upright rearwards body.

An evolutionary design available in two- or four-door guise, the Wrangler’s proportions are aesthetically best in the former as experienced on Austrian alpine routes during test drive. The smaller two-door additionally offers excellent manoeuvrability on narrow routes, and a better 25.85-degree break-over angle for driving through heavily rutted and uneven terrain. The range-topping Rubicon has LED lights and broader and more off-road biased tyres with chunky and wide tread for improved traction over mud, snow and loose surfaces. The Rubicon also features heavy gauge tubular steel rock rails for added underbody protection.

Springing and crawling

Available with Jeep’s naturally-aspirated 3.6-litre “Pentastar” V6 engine and slick and responsive 8-speed automatic gearbox in the Middle East, the Wrangler produces 281BHP at a somewhat high-revving 6,400rpm and 256lb/ft torque at 4,100rpm. Responsive and progressive from idling to redline, the Wrangler is eager and smooth in delivery, and flexible in mid-range.

Meanwhile, precise and linear throttle response allows for accurate power modulation for on- and off-road control. In addition to rear-wheel-drive mode for on-road efficiency, all Wranglers feature full-time and automatically variable high ratio four wheel drive for most driving situations, and low ratio four-wheel-drive for more demanding situations.

Fitted with a more aggressive 4.1:1 final drive ratio than entry-level Sport and deluxe trim Sahara Wrangler versions for improved off-road ability and what felt like marginally improved acceleration and response, this, however, comes at the price of slightly higher 10.1-l/100km/h fuel consumption and lower top speed, rated at 156km/h. The Rubicon’s low gear transfer ration is also lower at 4:1, which allows for a significantly lower crawl ratio to deploy full power at slow speed for low traction, heavily rutted and steep inclines. Most significantly the Rubicon receives both front and rear locking differentials in place of other versions limited-slip rear differential.

Unstoppable ability

Capable of crawling at a ratio 77.2:1 with its more off-road-oriented Rock-Track transfer case, the Rubicon locking differentials can be deployed at the rear, or for all four wheels in unison, which allows it to keep driving even if only one wheel has traction. A formidable off-roader in basic form, the Wrangler Rubicon also includes electronically disconnecting anti-roll bars, which provide longer wheel travel and axle articulation. With anti-roll bars disconnected, the Rubicon’s wheels better keep contact with the ground for improved off-road ability, while its increased 255mm ground clearance allows for excellent 36.4 degree approach and 30.8 degree departure angles, and 762mm water fording capability.

Driven mainly off-road and through gravelly dirt roads, the Rubicon was smooth, supple and forgivingly fluent with anti-roll bars disconnected. However, for better body control and steering precision, anti-roll bars are best left engaged on quicker, less demanding routes and on tarmac. Rare in riding on a rugged front and rear live axles combined with coil springs for comfort and wheel travel, the Wrangler drives with a more settled, refined and precise manner off-road than expected from a vehicle with live front axles. A slow steering ratio is meanwhile forgiving off-road but still accurate on-road if requiring more input.

Configurable cabin

Nimble and agile with tidy turn-in owing to its small size and short wheelbase, the upright and boxy Wrangler is nonetheless stable on road, while its shape, high seating and now lower waistline offer good views for placing it accurately when driving on- or off-road. The Rubicon’s chunky and knobbly tyres are not as comfortable or quiet on tarmac as Sport and Sahara models, but comfortably absorb imperfections, while anti-rebound damper keep it settled over crests and dips. Well insulated from harshness inside, the Wrangler’s cabin provides supportive, ergonomic and comfortable seating.

Available with a host of driver assistance systems from rear crosspath detection, parking camera and assistance, Electronic Roll Mitigation and more, the Wrangler also features a more sophisticate Uconnect infotainment system, and sportier, better quality interior trim, including contrasting colour panels. Offered with three fully detachable roof options, the Wrangler uniquely provides an open-air off-road driving experience. And while its windshield can also be folded down and its doors removed, detaching such components is now easier, and with dedicated storage space for bolts and tools, is also more organised and practical than ever.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 3.6-litre, in-line, V6-cylinders

Bore x Stroke: 96 x 83mm

Compression ratio: 11.3:1

Valve-train: DOHC, 24-valve, variable timing

Gearbox: 8-speed automatic, four-wheel-drive

Driveline: Low ratio transfer, locking front, centre and rear differentials

Gear ratios: 1st 4.714:1; 2nd 3.143:1; 3rd 2.106:1; 4th 1.667:1; 5th 1.285:1; 6th 1:1; 7th 0.839:1; 8th 0.667:1

Reverse/final drive: 3.295:1/4.1:1

Low ratio transfer/crawl ratios: 4:1/77.2:1

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 281 (285) [209] @6,400rpm

Specific power: 77.9BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 148.7BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 256 (347) @4,100rpm

Specific torque: 96.2Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 183.6Nm/tonne

Top speed: 156km/h

Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/combined;13.5-/8.2-/10.1-litres/100km

CO2 emissions, combined: 235g/km

Fuel capacity: 66-litres

Length: 4,334mm

Width: 1,894mm

Height: 1,879mm

Wheelbase: 2,459mm

Overhang, F/R: 741/1,036

Ground clearance: 255mm

Approach/break-over/departure angles: 36.4°/25.85°/30.8°

Water fording: 762mm

Seating: 4

Headroom, F/R: 1,036-1,083/1,023-1,059mm

Legroom, F/R: 1,038/904mm

Shoulder room, F/R: 1,417/1,458mm

Cargo volume min/max: 203-/598-litres

Kerb weight: 1,890kg

Weight distribution, F/R; 50 per cent/50 per cent

Payload: 439kg

Steering: Power-assisted rack & pinion

Steering ratio: 16.14:1

Lock-to-lock: 3.68-turns

Turning circle: 10.36-metres

Suspension: Solid axles, coil springs, hydraulic anti-rebound dampers, electronically disconnecting anti-roll bars

Brakes, F/R: Ventilated disc, 330 x 28mm/disc, 342 x 14mm

Brake calipers, F/R: twin-/single-piston

Tyres: LT285/70R17C