Jeep's best selling
model, the Wrangler, missed out when the new "Pentastar
V6" was being liberally dished out around the refreshed
Chrysler Group models, now that omission is rectified;
it will come hooked up to the Mercedes A580-sourced
5-speed auto transmission and a
new-to-the-Pentastar 6-speed manual. Out goes the
unrewarding 3.8-litre unit along with the
equally-elderly and inefficient 4-speed automatic.
The Wrangler Model Year
2012 thus gets the more fuel efficient and more powerful
3.6-litre V6 engine, and the Mercedes A580 five-speed
automatic transmission – both of which it shares with
its sister, the Grand Cherokee. The new engine and
transmission combination improves fuel economy which is rated by the
EPA standards as 17 mpg for urban running and 21 mpg for
highway, for either the 5-speed auto or 6-speed manual.
This is an improvement on the outgoing 3.8-litre engine
which returned 15 mph (urban) and 19 mpg (highway).
“Jeep Wrangler has a new heart but retains the same soul
for 2012,” believes Mike Manley, President and CEO of
Jeep. “Our new 3.6-litre V6 engine gives the
ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined
on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel
efficiency, power and torque.
“Available in 2-door and 4-door models and boasting an
untouchable combination of efficient design, open-air
freedom, significant towing capability, improved
real-world drivability, and unique 4x4 systems that
deliver unmatched off-road prowess, Jeep Wrangler once
again resets the benchmark and offers consumers the
ultimate vehicle for any driving adventure,” Manley
added.
Chrysler Group’s 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine delivers
its stock 285 horsepower (209 kW) and 260 lb/ft of
torque (353 Nm) in the Wrangler application. The
improvement, when compared to the previous-generation
3.8-litre V6 engine, is 40 percent in horsepower and 10
percent in torque. Additionally, the Wrangler migrates
from the incumbent four-speed to the Mercedes five-speed automatic
transmission, although this transmission is only in
reality a stop-gap until a new family of next-generation
automatic transmissions now under development, arrive.
Notably, the Model Year 2012 Jeep Wrangler also features
the company’s first application of a manual transmission
to the Pentastar V6.
The Jeep Wrangler and
Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in four
models: Sport, Sport S, Sahara and Rubicon. The Wrangler
features a body-on-frame design, front and rear
five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic
lockers.
The new automatic (the engine/transmission
combination are lifted from the new Grand Cherokee)
benefits the MY2012 Wrangler as much as the new engine
with a claimed improved and refined shifting and gear
selection. By increasing the number of speeds from four
to five, the transmission allows the engine to operate
in a more efficient rpm range, which helps increase fuel
economy. More speeds also enable the engine to remain in
the torque curve, increasing acceleration. The 2012 Jeep
Wrangler has a 25-percent improvement in 0–60 mph time,
which is now 8.4 seconds. Also, a lower first-gear ratio
in the new automatic transmission gives the Wrangler
more off-road capability via a lower overall crawl
ratio. The
Wrangler is now available with more axle gear ratios
allowing customers to optimize fuel economy and/or
vehicle capability, with 3.21,
3.73 or 4.10 ratios depending on model.
