The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Keeps Tradition Alive With A Future Focus

A recent test drive of the current model Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was a reminder of how vehicles evolve and change to attract a wider audience while sticking to the traditional values that made them great.

Familiar in shape and form, the Wrangler very clearly traces its popularity back to the plucky WWII military workhorse Willy’s Jeep … evolving through the various phases of the fun loving 60’s and 70’s CJ series and its model debut in the big 80’s.

In today’s most evolved edition the Wrangler Rubicon Recon, starting at $42,000 is a stylishly menacing indomitable off-roader equipped with a tough duty ready military inspired Dana front axle, winch capable steel bumpers, premium off-road rock rails with tread plates.

The articulated body panel design that allows the fully enclosed four-door Wrangler Rubicon to shape-shift into a variety of open top and side combinations makes for a military grade lego appeal. This theme is carried through with neat touches like the power dome vented hood heavy duty forged steel frame mounted red tow hooks, and LED lighting in the round headlamps mounted in the trademark seven slot Jeep grill.

More change is in the offing for the Jeep Wrangler when the 2018 model is previewed at the LA Auto Show later this month. It will ride on an aluminum intensive platform shared with the RAM trucks, also part of the FCA family.