The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has now been launched in India as a five-door model with deliveries set to begin on March 15. The Rubicon dials the Wrangler’s 4x4 capability up to eleven and promises to be a great combination of off-road dynamics, distinctive Jeep design and comes equipped with a fuel efficient powertrain and a host of innovative safety and technology features. The Rubicon is equipped with Jeep Rock Trac 4x4 all wheel-drive (AWD) system with features like a two-speed transfer case with a 4:1 “4LO” low-range gear ratio and full-time torque management that ensures optimal grip in low traction condition. It also features heavy duty Dana 44 front and rear axles.The Rubicon stands taller than the Wrangler Unlimited with a ground clearance of 217 mm and has larger approach, break over and departure angles. It also gets rock rails, 17-inch alloys with off-road spec tyres and an abundance of heavy duty 4x4 hardware.
New Engine
Under the hood, the Rubicon comes equipped with a 4-cylinder, DOHC, 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine delivering 268bhp and 400Nm of torque mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine, Jeep claims, has been tuned like a V6 to deliver a torque similar to a diesel engine. The engine also features a twin-scroll, low inertia turbocharger with an electronically actuated waste-gate for exceptional responsiveness and performance while traversing on different terrains. The engine is mounted with turbo directly on to the cylinder head to improve durability. The 8-speed automatic transmission delivers a crawl ratio of 77.2:1 and also enables the vehicle to optimize engine output while off-roading.
Rugged Exterior
The exterior of the Rubicon is designed in keeping with traditional Jeep design with a keystone-shaped seven slot grille that pays homage to the Jeep CJ. It is flanked by circular LED headlights with integrated DRLs. The lighting package also boasts of LED front fog lamps and traditional square LED tail lamps. The Rubicon is designed in a way to offer open-air freedom with a fold-down windshield and removable hard roofs and doors - constant on every Wrangler ever built. It also comes equipped with 17-inch alloys with Mud Terrain tires.
Plush Interiors
The Rubicon has high quality materials used throughout the cabin.The center-stack features a cleanly sculpted horizontal leather dashboard design with a 8.4-inch touchscreen U Connect Infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto powered by a nine-speaker Alpine Music system and a built-in pinch-to-zoom on-board navigation system. The smartphone, media and navigation can be controlled by a push button mounted on the leather-wrapped steering wheel. The center cluster also holds a 7-inch MID that shows scroll-able data that can be accessed from the steering wheel.
Safety features like driver and front passenger airbags, supplementary seat-mounted passenger side airbags, park assist system, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Anti-lock braking system (ABS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) and Tyre Pressure Monitoring are present.
Speaking to the media about the Rubicon Dr. Partha Datta – President and Managing Director, FCA India said, “Discerning Indian customers generally know what they want to purchase next and there are many who have waited to own the most recognized vehicle in the world. The Wrangler Rubicon has caught the attention of many such connoisseurs who know their Jeep® well. We already have an unprecedented order bank of eager customers ready to purchase our iconic off-roader. We are poised to complete delivery of our entire Rubicon import shipment to customers sooner than anticipated. Jeep Wrangler has been a really successful flagship product for us in India and it commands almost 67% our India CBU sales, since its launch in 2016.”
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been launched soon after bookings for its only real competitor, the Land Rover Defender have been announced. The two are even priced close to each other. While the Defender will only arrive in stores late this year, the Wrangler Rubicon is available straight away, giving it an critical early mover advantage. It will be interesting to note which one of these do-it-all SUVs gets the thumbs-up from the Indian market.