Not Horsing Around - 2024 Jeep Wrangler
It isn’t uncommon for Jeep to update the Wrangler in the middle of a model run.
The JK, which came out in the 2007 model year, saw a 2011/12 update that updated the interior as well as replaced the 3.8L V-6 with the Pentastar 3.6L. Since Jeep likes to run with a version of the Wrangler for a decade or more, it only makes sense to update things a little to keep the model appealing.
It isn’t uncommon for Jeep to update the Wrangler in the middle of a model run.
The JK, which came out in the 2007 model year, saw a 2011/12 update that updated the interior as well as replaced the 3.8L V-6 with the Pentastar 3.6L. Since Jeep likes to run with a version of the Wrangler for a decade or more, it only makes sense to update things a little to keep the model appealing.
But, that’s not the whole story with the 2024 refresh of the JL Wrangler.
Some updates were already pushed out over the last couple years. For one, the JL, which maxed out originally with 32” tires from the factory now has 35” available in some trims and the new 20th anniversary Wrangler Rubicon has available 37’s.
The JL started out with both the 3.6L V6 from the JK and a turbo 4-cylinder with mild-hybrid assist. But, in the first half of the model’s run, we have seen a diesel option (dropped after 2022), the mild-hybrid replaced by a plug-in hybrid 4xe, as well as a hemi V8.
If Jeep has seen fit to give us quite a few options and changes to the Wrangler even before its mid-cycle refresh, look no further than the good folks over in Dearborn and their Bronco for the reason why.
The Bronco brought a fair amount of refinement to the retro-styled off-roader game. 35” tires were part of its initial option list. A turbo V-6 in the Bronco Raptor dropped recently and is a not so subtle reason why Jeep decided to finally give the Wrangler the hemi treatment.
So…it should come as not surprise that the mid-cycle update to the Wrangler is also a little deeper than a light freshening to the dash.
Out front, Jeep is bringing a new grille to the Wrangler. This is a departure if you consider that the JK Wrangler maintained the same grill treatment (though occasionally with contrasting colors) for its entire 12-year run. The new Wrangler updates the 7 slot grill with some additional visual interest that surrounds the grill bars with matte plastic and extends the grill itself to include the headlight ‘buckets’ and stretches well under the headlights themselves. There is also updated texturing within the slots. Overall the look is a bit more sophisticated while maintaining the Wrangler’s tough good looks.
Also tough, but not just for looks is Wrangler’s first factory installed winch. 8000lb capacity isn’t quite what some folks would option as they upgrade their rig, but 8000 lbs is plenty for the sort of person who would want their Wrangler optioned for off-roading directly off the showroom floor. We’d expect that to be really popular for all those Rubicon buyers who like their 35” tires and steel bumpers but don’t want to spend countless hours pouring over the Quadratec/Northridge 4x4/Extreme Terrain catalogs.
All the wheel designs for the ‘24 Wrangler are new. Impressive when you realize that encompasses 10 new designs.
Where those wheels hit the ground, there is a new story as well. The rear axle is a updated version of the Dana 44, a ‘full float axle’ that now allows the Wrangler to top out at 5000lbs of towing. This is quite a jump from the 3500 lbs that the Wrangler has maxed at for many years.
But, despite style and functionality improvements - the real story of the new Wrangler is inside the cabin.
Most of the changes to the interior seem centered around making the Wrangler quieter and more comfortable for road use. This is one place where the Bronco has outpaced the Wrangler since day one, so this would be a good way for the Wrangler to attract some of the customers that have jumped ship to the Ford’s stable.
The interior rocks a much larger center screen that supports a built-in off-road navigation system as well as support for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If you opt for the High Altitude, Rubicon X, or Rubicon 392 models, the Wrangler brings acoustic glass up front, thicker carpet, and sound deadening foam in the windshield header, A and B pillars, and cowl - making these more expensive Wranglers also a quieter place to be for their higher price-points. Not having the added sound deadening in the lower models is almost certainly recognition that people who buy a Wrangler and immediately start adding and removing parts to make a more trail-focused rig don’t care as much about the luxuries and wouldn’t be happy paying for them.
Another addition to the new interior is side curtain air bags for both front and second row seating. It will be interesting to see exactly how that is integrated into the Wrangler’s roll cage in a way that allows modifiers to make their changes as well as not interfering with the Wrangler’s iconic removable doors.
Also part of the safety story is the Wrangler’s first implementation of adaptive cruise control - with the ability to also bring the Jeep to a stop if traffic in front demands it. This is far from autonomy - but it is nice to see Jeep finding ways to make on-road use a little bit nicer.
When the JL came to market, they impressed with the option of a button panel that would allow add-on lights and accessories to work without cobbling together a button or switch panel. In the new interior, Jeep raises the stakes by also offering a bank of 4 - 110v outlets (in 4xe equipped models - since they also posses a high-capacity battery that can power these outlets through an on-board inverter).
What we have here is the most impressive mid-cycle refresh the Wrangler has ever seen. This should certainly go a long way to attracting the group of potential buyers that Ford has been winning with the Bronco. The impressive part is that, while adding luxuries and sophistication, Jeep has obviously not ignored the kinds of features that the Jeep faithful would enjoy. It should keep Wrangler relevant and successful for at least another 5-6 years to come (when the -next- Wrangler should bow).
Expect the new Wranglers to go on sale this summer.
Ram Announces 1500 REV Specs
At today’s New York Auto Show press day, Ram showed off the 1500 REV full-sized pickup and dropped several key specifications.
The truck, which is expected to go on sale late in 2024 as a 2025 model takes advantage of being the last of the classic truck manufacturers to announce specs that beat trucks from Ford and Chevrolet/GMC.
At today’s New York Auto Show press day, Ram showed off the 1500 REV full-sized pickup and dropped several key specifications.
The truck, which is expected to go on sale late in 2024 as a 2025 model takes advantage of being the last of the classic truck manufacturers to announce specs in order to announce numbers that beat trucks from Ford and Chevrolet/GMC.
Specifically, Ram announced that the REV will have a base range of 350 miles with its 168kWh battery, with a long-range battery pack (229kWh) that will make it the first full-sized electric truck to crack the 500 mile range barrier.
In addition, Ram teased an even longer range option, the REV XR.
We expect this will be the rumored range-extender version that would pair a gas engine and generator with the electric powertrain to be able to extend range beyond what the batteries can power alone. This would promise an electric truck that could tow heavy loads without destroying its range like tests have shown happens to pure-electric trucks like the Lightning.
Ram isn’t quite ready to tell us about the XR - though there are plenty of auto shows or other opportunities between now and late 2024.
The 1500 REV will be ready for truly high-speed charging with an 800V system that can accept up to 350kW of charging power at DC fast charging stations. This allows the REV to add 110 miles of range in 10 minutes (an approximately 33% increase in charge if the truck is rocking the 350 mile range standard pack). It will be interesting to see if this is still competitive in a couple years given how quickly other brands are advancing.
Other technical specs Ram was ready to promote today were tow rating of up to 14000 lbs. This is quite competitive, while falling short of Chevrolet’s promise of a Silverado EV work truck spec that they think will be able to tow 20000 lbs. Though the extended range Lightning and the normal-spec Silverado EV both have tow ratings around 10000 lbs.
Payload limits for the REV max out at 2700 lbs. This beats the Lightning’s 2000 (standard battery) or 1800 (extended range battery) as well as the Silverado EV’s 1300-ish lbs.
Up front, the REV trades its gas engine for a front trunk. It’s stated 15 cubic feet of volume beats out the Lightning’s 14.1 and Silverado EV’s 10 cubic feet.
One place where the 1500 REV does not beat the competition is it’s 0-60 time. 4.4 seconds is still seriously quick, but recent tests of the Ford Lightning with extended range battery showed it performing the same trick in 4.0 seconds. Chevrolet has yet to deliver any of the Silverado EVs to customers, so we’ll have to wait to see what it is really capable of (though they predict about 4.5 seconds in their promotional materials). The GMC Hummer pickup with triple motors does that feat in a class leading 3.0 seconds flat. Though the Hummer to compare the REV to would be the dual motor version that has yet to go on sale and will probably be more in line with the Silverado and REV’s predicted acceleration.
Inside, the REV did have one new trick up its sleeve…
The passenger gets a 10.25” dedicated display directly in front of them. This provides access to the cameras all around the REV, ideally to allow the passenger to truly ‘co-pilot’ in situations where the Ram is maneuvering tight environments or moving a trailer. Additionally, this display allows for monitoring of vehicle functions, such as power flow from the electric powertrain. Also, passengers can connect to this display via HDMI to display their own media for entertainment.
We have at least a year and a half before REVs start to hit the road, so more details are sure to follow. We are also looking forward to a rumored mid-sized electric truck that Ram may announce in the interim.
For now, though, the Ram 1500 REV looks to be a solid offering in the growing electric full-sized truck segment.