Just this week, in Toledo, Ohio, Jeep began building the 2011 version of its iconic Wrangler 4×4 SUV. With a pretty much all-new interior, new exterior colors, and a more refined appearance all around, the new Wrangler should be even more popular with the off-road crowd, that is, if Jeep got it right. Click past the jump for details and lots of pictures.
Part of the Jeep Wrangler’s charm has always been its level of refinement, or lack thereof. With more sound deadening material and creature comforts, has Jeep gone too far? I think not, since the new Wrangler still carries its “Trail Rated” 4-wheel drive setup, removable tops and doors – the things Jeep lovers crave.
In the refinement department, the new steering wheel allows control of the radio and optional BlueTooth audio. There’s a USB port for your iPod or other music player, and a redesigned center stack to house it all in. New body-color removable hard tops add to the overall appearance, but the same hex-shaped bolts that have been in use for a long time are still there, showing the remaining ruggedness of the new Wrangler.
The most often-touched surfaces, including arm rests and the center console, are now wrapped in softer materials, making the new Wrangler easier to drive longer distances in, although I’d imagine that not a lot of Wrangler owners use them for long distance trips.
There are also some new colors for the 2011 model, including Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White.
What do you think of the new Wrangler? Let me know in the Comments section below the gallery.
by John Suit
Source: Chrysler/Jeep
It does look a lot better, but I wonder about the exposed fasteners on the metal strips. Seems like they draw my attention and not in a good way.
The window switches on the dash are interesting as well. Makes taking the doors off one less wire, but why leave the door locks on the doors?
The rest of the interior looks amazing, can’t wait for some seat time.
Well I’m sure that if they have power windows, moving the switches just makes for less cabling – there will still be wiring running into the door for that. Door locks, on the other hand, really need to be where people expect them in the case of an emergency.
-John