Mud plugging is a fun pastime. There are plenty of capable vehicles, but few 4×4 vehicles can get you through the rough like a Jeep Wrangler. Now, Jeep has provided us with a special Jeep Wrangler Unlimited version and, when you get your hands on one of these, you won’t want to give it back. These are made for the great outdoors.

They look like nothing else on the road, and that’s the first thing you’ll get to like about the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. All the glances are going to be directed your way, as you zoom past bystanders. The top comes off these, so fresh air driving is on the cards on a hot sunny day by the beach. And, with the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, I mean by the beach, because this is a vehicle that doesn’t baulk at a tough off-road assignment like dune driving.

The new Pentastar V6 engine is a beast and drops the 0-100 km/h times down by two or three seconds over the bigger and older 3.8-litre versions. The new engine, used for the Wrangler Unlimited Sport and Rubicon models, is a 3.6-litre gasoline fed engine. Power is copious, particularly as you allow the engine revs to climb. A maximum output of 209 kW makes the all-time 4×4 instantly grapple for traction and gain acceleration quickly. A 0-100 km/h dash promises a sub seven second time. In the Sport Unlimited versions, a potent CRD version is also available. The four-cylinder turbo-diesel boasts 147 kW and a superior 410 Nm (manual version) and 460 Nm (auto version).

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has underpinnings that are exceptionally well designed for ultimate traction. An electronic sway bar has the ability to disconnect to allow the front suspension to compress and expand further. As you can see in the photo, articulation is phenomenal.

The Jeep wrangler Unlimited Rubicon model is the top of the range model and comes standard with an electronic sway-bar. I just looked at the price of the Rubicon model; it comes well under $50k! Front and rear locking differentials will lock power and distribute it evenly between the wheels for the ultimate in traction (standard on Rubicon). Off-and on-road brake systems are specially designed to cater for all aspects of a daily drive in the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. Now a daily drive in one of these, surely, means a quick squirt along a riverbed or a run down to the lake to fish – after work, of course. A four-wheel disc anti-lock brake system with a Jeep 4WD off-road calibration system provides more sustained wheel lockup on slippery surfaces like mud, sand, and gravel for improved stopping performance.

All Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models come with a heavy-duty suspension. The solid axles with locating arms, coil springs, track/stabiliser bars, front steering dampers, and high-pressure gas- charged monotube shock absorbers are massively capable. And, take a look under the Wrangler Unlimited, and you’ll find the ultimate in off-road protection in the form of 3 mm-thick stamped steel off-road skid plates for the fuel tank, transfer case and automatic transmission oil pan.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon also boasts a Rock-Trac 4.0:1 low-gear ratio that allows Rubicon models to crawl at a lower speed – but with increased torque at the wheels. This is a feature that makes it easier to trek over large rocks and logs. With 220 mm of ground clearance, 35-degree approach angle, 18-degree breakover angle and 28-degree departure angle, your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited won’t be the one dragging the chain on those four-wheel-drive club expeditions, for sure!

Jeep Wranglers also has plenty of excellent safety features; safety that includes: advanced multistage driver and front-passenger airbags, supplemental side seat-mounted airbags for front occupants, ESC and Brake Assist, traction control, body-on-frame construction, an energy-absorbing steering wheel and column and energy-absorbing front rail tips.

Your Jeep Wrangler Unlimited cabin is a beaut place to be, and the new interior is comfortable and offers things like heaps of storage space, leather seating, air-conditioning with automatic temperature control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise control, a 12-Volt accessory outlet, chromed auto transmission shifter and some nice chrome touches about the cabin.

If you find yourself taken away by Jeep’s wild side, you’re bound to get a little dirty. For interior cleaning and water drainage, you can remove the floor drain plugs located just below the foot spaces. Remove the carpets, and then wash and rinse and you’re away laughing.

The current Jeep Wrangler Unlimited models include the:

• Wrangler Sport Unlimited V6
• Wrangler Sport Unlimited CRD
• Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon V6

For any more information on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Jeep dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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