"Jeep stretches Wrangler and adds two doors"

I'm not spammer and I have a 2000 Jeep Sport Cherokee
Mike

http://www.washtimes.com/autoweekend...5706-4631r.htm
Jeep stretches Wrangler and adds two doors
By Sue Mead
SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Published March 16, 2007

Remaining competitive in today's automotive industry is a tough
business. Generating profits is not a just a matter of building better
vehicles than the competition, but also producing cars and trucks that
satisfy customers' ever-shifting demands. With well over 300 different
vehicle models to choose from today, consumers' expectations are
becoming more and more precise. Jeep hopes its all-new 2007 Wrangler
Unlimited hits several of those narrow sweet spots, appealing to a
broad swath of buyers.
There are two primary attributes that have distinguished Jeep
Wranglers over the years. The first is styling. The signature seven-
slot grille, round headlights, exposed door hinges, fold-flat
windshield and angular external fenders all contribute to Wrangler's
classic, timeless look. Worldwide, the vehicle is instantly
recognizable.
Wrangler's second inherent quality is off-road ability. With its
short front and rear overhangs, heavy-duty differentials, low-range
transfer case, mountain-high ground clearance and competent power
train options, the classic Jeep tackles even the toughest terrain,
including the legendary Rubicon Trail. Both the distinguished design
and go-anywhere capability have helped Jeep maintain its loyal
Wrangler fan base.
The larger automotive marketplace, however, is much tougher to
please.
The past several years have included a massive influx of crossover
utility vehicles (CUVs) that provide generous amenities and civilized
on-road manners while also including ample space, comfortable ride
heights and often all-wheel-drive capability. Even Jeep, in fielding
the Compass and Patriot models this year, has succumbed to this soft
utility vehicle craze. While defacing and watering down the Wrangler
would be akin to automotive treason, Jeep needed a way freshen the off-
road flagship's appeal. Its answer is the all-new 2007 Wrangler
Unlimited.
Approach the Wrangler Unlimited head on, and you won't notice much
out of the ordinary. However, the instant its flanks become visible,
Wrangler precedent is shattered: the new Unlimited model includes four
full-size doors. No Wrangler has ever offered exclusive cabin entry
for rear-seat passengers, and the Unlimited wheelbase reaches 20.6
inches farther than that of the standard 2007 Wrangler and 12.6 inches
longer than the 2004-06 two-door Wrangler Unlimited. At 173.4 inches
in overall length the new Jeep also eclipses the old Unlimited by 6.4
inches.
Wrangler Unlimited's expansion yields 46.4 cubic feet of cargo
space with the rear seat up and a cavernous 86.8 cubic feet when the
rear bench is folded. Rear legroom improves by just half an inch
compared with that of the previous Unlimited, so most of the size has
gone to cargo capacity.
Jeep ditched the old 4.0-liter inline-six, instead offering a 3.8-
liter V-6 developing 202 horsepower and 237 foot-pounds of torque.
While these numbers are not astronomical improvements over the 190
horsepower/235 foot-pounds of the previous powerplant, the inherent
efficiency of the new engine allows for better fuel economy, despite a
curb weight gain of a few hundred pounds. According to Jeep, the new
Unlimited Rubicon model rates at 17 city and 19 highway miles per
gallon with the standard six-speed manual transmission and 16 city/19
highway with the optional four-speed automatic. The last two-door
Rubicon Unlimited, employing the same transmissions, yielded 15 city/
19 highway with the manual and 14 city/18 highway with the auto.
Underneath the bodywork, this Jeep is engineered with traditional
live axles front and rear, including a Dana 30 front and heavy-duty
Dana 44 rear unit. Rubicon models come with Dana 44s at both ends.
Jeep also employs power-recirculating ball-type steering and four-
wheel disc brakes with ABS. Tire choices range from 225/75 on 16-inch
wheels up to 255/70s on 18 inchers.
The 2007 Wrangler Unlimited is available in both two-wheel-drive
and four-wheel-drive configurations. The Unlimited X and Sahara 4WD
models are engineered with a second-generation Command-Trac system
that has a two-speed transfer case and 2.72:1 low-range ratio. An
optional limited-slip rear differential supplements the part-time 4WD
system.
Stepping up to Rubicon trim yields the Off-Road Rock-Trac two-
speed transfer case with 4.0:1 gearing, front and rear electric axle
lockers, an active front sway bar that disengages and exclusive
LT255/75R17 B.F. Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.
Electronic roll mitigation and the electronic stability program
further enhance the Jeep's abilities. Roll mitigation monitors
steering position and vehicle speed to determine if a roll is
imminent.
Maneuverability specs vary according to Wrangler's fitted tires.
With the large P255/70R18 tires, Unlimited posts impressive figures:
approach angle is 44.4 degrees, departure is 40.7 degrees and
breakover is 20.9 degrees. These tires allow a ground clearance of
10.2 inches. Wrangler Unlimited's smallest tires, P225/75R16s, produce
a still-impressive approach, departure and breakover angles of 40.6,
37.5 and 17.8 degrees, respectively. Ground clearance is 8.7
inches.Although the 2007 Unlimited is not a full-sized pulling
machine, it still manages a moderate towing ability. Fitted with the
available 4.10:1 axle ratio, all four-door Wrangler models tow up to
3,500 pounds.
When equipped with 3.21:1 axle gears, only 1,000 pounds of towing
capacity is available. Both 2WD and 4WD versions of the "X" and Sahara
trim models are available with both ratios when the six-speed manual
transmission is chosen. Rubicon models get the 4.10:1 gears
exclusively, as do all models with automatic transmissions.
In accordance with its new market position, Wrangler Unlimited X,
Sahara and Rubicon models arrive with many features synonymous with
luxury and convenience. Power windows and door locks with remote
keyless entry are available, as is full-screen navigation, Sirius
satellite radio and MP3 capability. The Wrangler's innovative
convertible soft-top opens in either "sunroof" or "full convertible"
mode. Jeep's available Freedom Top -- a three-piece hardtop --
includes driver and front passenger removable panels providing a host
of configurations.
Seeing the four-door 2007 Wrangler Unlimited brings to mind
maturity.
This is a grown-up vehicle aimed at a fully developed audience
that demands refinement alongside capability. However, with maturity
comes responsibility, which clearly came to the design table to
preserve all of Wrangler's off-road abilities as not to marginalize
this vehicle's die-hard fan base. Jeep succeeded and should expect
more customers to embrace this "heritage" model.

The omitted and most important difference is that they WERE 4x4. Now
we have a "hummer wannabe" that the soccer moms can get as a 2x4.

They won't be seeing my smiling face in their showroom...

Bruce

Many others ARE going into the showrooms and buying the 4 door Wrangler,
it's one of Occupied Chryslers few bright spots.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...024/LATESTNEWS

However they have REALLY been screwing up with the Jeep brand... as any
of us could have told them.

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...704_page_2.htm

Jeff DeWitt




Highcountry wrote:
> The omitted and most important difference is that they WERE 4x4. Now
> we have a "hummer wannabe" that the soccer moms can get as a 2x4.
>
> They won't be seeing my smiling face in their showroom...
>
> Bruce
>

Highcountry wrote:
> The omitted and most important difference is that they WERE 4x4. Now
> we have a "hummer wannabe" that the soccer moms can get as a 2x4.
>
> They won't be seeing my smiling face in their showroom...
>
> Bruce
>



Funny, way back when the venerable XJ could be had as a 2wd model as
well. I guess Jeep was getting a jump on the soccer mom crowd before it
became the popular crowd to go after. Did Jeep fail to see your smiling
face back then as well?


I remember all the same bashing back when Jeep suddenly found itself
with coil springs and all the so called "purists" decried the imminent
demise of the wrangler line specifically and all things Jeep in general.
Never mind that by all accounts at the time the new TJ was the most
capable Jeep ever produced, with the Rubicon a step or two above that.


As far as the new 4-door goes, it does seem to bear a striking
resemblance to a quite popular concept called the Rescue. I guess no
one remembers this vehicle. Call me crazy but the H3 looks like a
Rescue wannabe to me, and not the other way around. The new 4-door may
not be quite as big and not quite as heavy duty but then again when
concept meets production there are almost always nods to cost vs market
demographic.

Jeep people can be some die hard and loyal customers but it appears they
can also be some of the most stubborn and pig headed as well. Anytime
Jeep dares to change "their" Jeep people start bitching and moaning
about it. Here again we have a Jeep that by all independent accounts is
the finest Jeep ever produced, with a few minor shortcomings, which
EVERY vehicle has.

My initial opinion was that it was ugly as sin, due mostly to those
horrendous front fender extensions. It's since begun to grow a bit. I
decided to go give it a personal once over just for giggles and guess
what? It's a pretty damn nice Jeep.


Yep, it's got power windows and locks, A/C, XMS radio, gps navigation,
and probably a few other amenities that purists don't feel belong in
their beloved Jeep. Those power windows and locks are sure handy though
when you've got an armful of Little Jeeper you're trying to load up for
the family trail trip. The built in gps navigation is pretty nice when
you're trying to scope out the new trail you just saw posted in your
favorite Jeep rag, GPS co-ordinates and all. Having that functioning
XMS radio is kind of nice no matter WHERE in the back country you may be
with your ride.

It's got a nice rugged interior, all the stuff a family would need, all
the stuff a JEEP would need, and over all it's just a nice damn Jeep.
The one drawback it may suffer from is being a bit underpowered and if
the demand is there you'll probably see that rectified within the next
couple model years.

I think I'm going to take a serious look at the next model year. It's
too bad no one is going to see your smiling face in the showroom, I
think you just might be doing yourself a disservice.

Jeep claimed the I6 did 19. I even proved it once over 600 miles pretending
there was an eggshell between my foot and the throttle.

Dave

"Mike" > wrote in message
oups.com...
"Jeep ditched the old 4.0-liter inline-six, instead offering a 3.8-
liter V-6 developing 202 horsepower and 237 foot-pounds of torque.
While these numbers are not astronomical improvements over the 190
horsepower/235 foot-pounds of the previous powerplant, the inherent
efficiency of the new engine allows for better fuel economy, despite a
curb weight gain of a few hundred pounds. According to Jeep, the new
Unlimited Rubicon model rates at 17 city and 19 highway miles per
gallon with the standard six-speed manual transmission and 16 city/19
highway with the optional four-speed automatic."