IL Insider: Jeep Unveils Stretched 2007 Wrangler Unlimited with $21,000 Price Tag
Date posted: 04-12-2006

NEW YORK

It is a bit longer than what i would want...looks a bit like a hotdog...wheelbase is too long. I will reserve judgement until i can see the Rubicon version of it. For now, i think that i prefer the regular version of the '07 Rubicon.

Preview: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
Four-door, off-road, convertible. Are there any adjectives left? Oh yeah: cool.
by Marty Padgett (2006-04-11)

Jeep Wrangler fans rejoiced with the arrival of the Unlimited model a couple of years ago. The longer-wheelbase model not only gave the Wrangler a better ride and better steering feel, it restored full functionality to the legs of back-seat passengers, who were until then folded like origami into the Wrangler's midget back bench.

Now the Unlimited is being reinvented in the mold of the new Wrangler. And for the first time it's a four-door - the first four-door Jeep Wrangler ever. Not only that, it's still a convertible, too, one capable of seating five, hauling their off-road gear, and fighting off the advances of the Toyota FJ Cruiser, Nissan Xterra, and HUMMER H3 upon the young and adventurous set.

Derived from the new two-door Wrangler on the Detroit auto show floor earlier this year, the four-door Unlimited shares its engine/transmission combos and available four-wheel-drive systems. The sole U.S. engine is a 205-hp, 3.8-liter V-6 with 240 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but a four-speed automatic transmission is available. Outside North America, Jeep will offer a diesel engine with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive models will be on the order sheet, of course. Midlevel X and Sahara models will offer a Command-Trac part-time 4WD system. The returning Rubicon edition gets a hardcore Rock-Trac system mated to Dana 44 axles front and rear for supreme off-road talent. An available active sway-bar system disconnects the front stabilizer bar for even better off-road articulation.

The Unlimited's body has been upgraded to deal with the dual sun and off-road fun missions. The frame's 100-percent stiffer, Jeep says, and the suspension has been improved for better ride. Steering remains of the recirculating-ball type. And for obstacles, the critical numbers are all in the right range: the Unlimited's approach angle is 44.4 degrees, breakover is 20.8 degrees, and the departure angle is 40.5 degrees, which Jeep says is best in class. The Wrangler will tow 3500 pounds.

Several safety features that Wranglers have been doing without now make it onto the spec list. Stability control with roll mitigation and anti-lock brakes are standard; side airbags are optional.

Now a mid-sizer officially, the Unlimited rides on a 116-inch wheelbase - 20.6 inches longer than the two-door's 95.4-inch wheelbase. The Unlimited sports nearly three times the cargo space of the two-door, and rear-seat passengers will be much happier with the extra pair of doors, not to mention 37.2 inches of legroom. The back bench splits 60/40 and folds flat to endow the Unlimited with 83 cubic feet of cargo hold - which is augmented by a lockable bin under the cargo area floor.

The niftiest feature of the new four-door Jeep is its open-air attitude. The standard Sunrider canvas top can be flipped back to expose just the seats, or all the way back for full convertible bliss. Full or half-doors can be ordered and the windshield folds down, too. The hardtop models get a three-piece Freedom Top, which will please Sean Hannity fans and folks who want more weatherproofing. The top allows the driver and front passenger to remove the vehicle's lid on their sides and store it in the vehicle. The large rear hard panel can't be stowed in the car, but it is removable.

The three-model range includes Unlimited X, Sahara , and Rubicon. Sixteen-, 17-, and 18-inch wheels will be offered, as will a 368-watt Alpine stereo with an MP3 player jack and an optional navigation system.

The Unlimited goes on sale in the fall.

For more info on the regular Rubicon model, see:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showth...5&pagenumber=1

Jeep

Featuring a one-of-a-kind, four-door open-air design, the all-new 2007 Jeep

Even More Open-air Fun for Even More Passengers

An all-new, three-piece modular hardtop

Even More On-road Refinement

The all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited features an even more refined on-road experience courtesy of its 116-inch wheelbase, all-new 100-percent stiffer frame, 50-percent 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 percent.

Ride balance in the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited achieves minimal body lean when cornering and braking due to the five-link coil suspension

Even More Safety and Security Features

Like all Jeep vehicles, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is designed to improve handling and accident avoidance, and provide protection. Jeep Wrangler Unlimited includes the highest level of safety features ever offered in the vehicle

Jeep Trail Rated

The Jeep Trail Rated badge on the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited verifies that the vehicle has been designed to perform in a variety of challenging off-road conditions identified by five key off-road performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water fording.

Jeep Trail Rated is an industry-leading methodology that objectively measures and consistently predicts off-road performance for all Jeep vehicles. Through a combination of natural and controlled field tests, as well as computer-simulated environments, Jeep Trail Rated provides a repeatable and consistent measurement of off-road performance for Jeep vehicles. Only Jeep vehicles are Trail Rated.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Body Style............................................. .................................................. .........................4-Door Sport Utility
Assembly Plant .................................................. .................................................. .......................Toledo, Ohio
EPA Vehicle Class

CLEARANCES


P225/75R16 Tire
P245/75R16 Tire
P255/75/R17 Tire
P255/70R18 Tire
LT255/75R17 Tire

Approach Angle Deg.
40.6
42.1
43.6
44.4
44.4

Breakover Angle Deg.
17.8
19
20.3
20.9
20.8

Departure Angle Deg.
37.5
38.8
40.3
40.7
40.5

Front Axle to ground
9.0 (228.6)
9.6 (243.8)
10.2 (259.1)
10.5 (266.7)
10.5 (266.7)

Rear Axle to ground
8.7 (221.0)
9.3 (236.2)
10.0 (254.0)
10.2 (259.1)
10.1 (256.5)






CURB WEIGHT
Wrangler Unlimited X, Man. Trans

BRAKES
Availability...................................... .................................................. .................................................. ..Std. All
Power Assist Type.............................................. .............................................. 8 x 9 dual-diaphragm vacuum
Four-Wheel Anti-Lock with on- and off-road calibrations

Official specs on the Unlimited:

http://www.jeep.com/en/07wranglerunl...ifications.pdf

More autoshow pics: