America's foremost off-road manufacturer should be given a lot of credit for sticking to its guns with the 2007 Jeep Wrangler. Even though the upcoming Wrangler will be built on the brand-new "TK" platform, Jeep has realized that it would alienate its core audience by eliminating the vehicle's inherently boxy and upright shape on this ground-up redesign.

Those who might have worried that the 2007 Wrangler would start to resemble the more genteel Jeep Liberty can rest assured that the next incarnation of the Wrangler will remain more G.I. Joe than Eddie Bauer. Jeep has wisely decided to leave the feminine appeal to the Liberty, which already has a distinctly different, largely female consumer base than the Wrangler.

Rather than softening the Wrangler's appearance in its next version, Jeep could very likely import styling cues from some of its more militaristic concepts of recent years. Even though the Jeep Rescue and Jeep Gladiator designs might never find a proper home in Jeep's lineup, their combined legacy could very well live on in the form of the next-generation Wrangler.

True, these photos of the spied 2007 Wrangler may not look that much different than the current version of the vehicle, although there are more changes in store than immediately evident. Jeep will most likely do away with the soft- and hardtop configurations of the vehicle and instead place removable panels on the roof of the redesigned Wrangler.

The Transformer-like qualities don't end here, as Jeep is also planning on giving the 2007 Wrangler removable doors and a fold-down windshield. Both are traditional and unique Jeep Wrangler features.

As if these quirky exterior features weren't enough, Jeep also plans on building a special four-door version of the Wrangler to accompany the standard two-door variants of the vehicle. The 2007 Wrangler four-door will feature a considerably longer wheelbase and increased width from both the current and future two-door Wranglers.

The base engine on the 2007 Wrangler will be a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 3.7-liter SOHC V6 available as an option. Jeep might also offer some sort of V8 on the upcoming Wrangler, and maybe even a diesel if it can drum up enough consumer enthusiasm with the Jeep Liberty CRD. All of these engines will most likely be paired with either the typical five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

When the 2007 Jeep Wrangler goes on sale in the middle of 2006, it will be offered in the company's Laredo and Rubicon trim levels. Despite the vehicle's ingrained ruggedness, expect to see a greater degree of safety and luxury than found on any previous generation of the Wrangler.

From http://www.rockcrawler.com/features/...k_spyshots.asp

2007 Jeep Wrangler (TK) Spy Shots!

Jeep fans in the know are already aware that the Wrangler (TJ) will go away in 2006 and an all-new version, internally-dubbed "TK" will debut for the 2007 model year. Our eagle-eye spy shooters, braved feisty corporate car handlers and got these shots before being forced onto a highway off-ramp and losing the convoy!

The TK's shown here are traditional 2-doors, but a 4-door variant is also in the works. A possibly-fixed roof may appear, much like the Rescue concept from 2004, but it is hard to say. The rear corners would certainly suggest this, but a fold-down windshield might contradict the idea. It certainly does have a tailgate, though. Exposed door hinges hint that removable doors are going to stay.

We can expect the 2.4L 4 cylinder and 3.7L V6 to carry over from the current Jeep line as the 4.0L is finally given its walking papers.


Things of note that we noticed from these photos are the 2" receiver integrated into a metal bumper. A 2 inch receiver probably means a higher towing capacity than the current models. Perhaps a HEMI onboard? The exhaust pipe looks too small for a HEMI so these are probably V6 models. But who knows. Everyone knows DaimlerChrysler is hopped up on HEMI so it makes sense.

Also note in this photo the skinny arm on the driver-side rear.


In the third photo, it seems like there is more clearance under that flatter belly pan.

Lastly, what little we can see of the dash does show a more modern design with round air vents.