"Wrangler" Jeep 2007 battle again

The history of the Jeep brand is believed to have been recited by fans. For more than half a century, the brand established in World War II has successively developed many sub-series such as CHEROKEE (Cherokee), GRAND CHEROKEE (big cut), WRANGLER (Wrangler), LIBERTY, COMMANDER, COMPASS, PATRIOT (Patriot). One appears in the tough image of a hardcore SUV.

With the change of market situation and the development of automobile technology, Jeep brand vehicles also have great changes and development in design style and vehicle technology. Among the many brands, only the Wrangler, although there are several generations of models, has always adhered to the design style of decades ago. It is a direct descendant of the 1941 classic Willys MB, and has the purest bloodline of the latter. Based on this, the Wrangler is destined to become a legend in the development of off-road vehicles and even automobile culture.

The Wrangler can become a legend, needless to say for its hard-core style and extraordinary off-road capability, and more importantly, under the situation that its companions are surrounded by electronic devices and transformed into SUVs, it Still insist on using machinery to ensure performance - very few electronic systems, hard axle suspension, even air conditioning, audio and other equipment have only been added in recent years, and are extremely primitive. However, from the perspective of environmental protection and safety, the invasion of electronic systems is sometimes irresistible. So while the current Wrangler is in the same vein as its predecessors, much of the interior has also been updated. However, in order to take care of the mentality of those enthusiasts who demand "authentic taste", the configuration of the Wrangler is still slightly lower than that of the current mainstream cars.

Chrysler presented the all-new 2007 Wrangler in a unique way at the New York Auto Show. The new car includes three series of X, Sahara and Rubicon, and the Ulimited version also has an unprecedented four-door design. The two round lights at the front and the straight radiator grille, removable doors and exposed hinges are all Willys factors that clearly tell people its Wrangler identity. However, under this still tough and powerful shape, engineers added more advanced electronic equipment to it, so that its "brain" is not simple while maintaining "developed limbs". I don't know if the loyal supporters of the Wrangler will accept the further invasion of the electronic assistance system, but it should be said that this change is inevitable. After all, backwardness does not equal personality.

Small displacement, big power

The power of the new Wrangler comes from a newly designed 3.8L overhead camshaft V6 engine, replacing the original 4.0L straight-six engine. The new machine has a reduced displacement, but it is shorter in length (V6 arrangement, naturally shorter in length) and lighter than the old model. The 205hp power and 325Nm of torque both exceed the data of the 4.0L engine, and the large torque of the new machine corresponds to a wider rev range. This is the result of new technology. A six-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic transmission are available as standard. The power cooperates with the power of the frame and suspension, so that the towing capacity of the car reaches 2000 pounds (about 907.2 kg). In order to meet the needs of car owners for off-road use, Chrysler provides for the first time an upgrade plan specially prepared for towing, including a Dana44 rear drive axle with a reduction ratio of 4.10 and a tow hook.

Off-road vehicles

Chrysler says the 2007 Wrangler is the most powerful model in its 65-year history, and it was built to conquer the world's toughest obstacles; and at the same time, its road performance has reached a new level. The rigidity of the new frame is doubled compared to the previous generation model, and the rigidity of the body is also increased by half; the wheelbase and wheelbase are increased by 2 inches (5.08cm) and 3.5 inches (8.8_9cm) respectively; five-link screw The spring hard axle suspension has been retuned. When driving on the road, the roll of the body is effectively reduced, and the steering accuracy is also greatly improved.

The real theme is of course its buggy nature. Jeep's engineers are said to have focused on solving more than 50 problems during the development of the new Wrangler to improve its off-road capabilities, including improved ground clearance, road feel and trackability in off-road conditions, among others. The approach angle and departure angle of the vehicle body reach 44.3° and 40.4° respectively, and the longitudinal passing angle also reaches 25.4°. The front and rear drive axles are made of off-road famous brand accessories DANA, and have improved in strength and size. The Wrangler X and Sahara versions are equipped with a second-generation Command-Trac NV241 part-time four-wheel-drive transfer case with a low-range 2.72 gear ratio and a limited-slip differential on the rear axle; while the more advanced Rubicon version is equipped with off-road specificity Rock-Trac NV241 transfer case, low gear ratio reaches 4.0, front and rear axles are equipped with differential electronic locking function. The three shields under the body protect the fuel tank, transfer case and oil pan respectively, and are also prepared for the harsh road conditions in the wild.

In addition to the limited-slip differential and electronic differential lock, ASBS (Active Sway Bar System) is also used in the chassis to instantly adjust the travel and trajectory of the wheels under extreme conditions.

The limbs are developed and the mind is complex

The application of electronic systems is not limited to ASBS. On the 2007 Wrangler, engineers put a lot of effort into making it smarter and smarter. In this new car, an unprecedented high level of driver assistance and safety equipment has appeared, improving the car's active and passive safety performance, allowing customers not only to be able to, but also safely "go anywhere, do anything". ABS and BA (Brake Assist, brake assist system) reduce the danger of emergency braking, ESP has three states of open, closed and semi-closed to maximize the neutral steering of the vehicle; crumpling steering column, grading Airbags, front side airbags with OCS (occupant classification system) - that is, according to the passenger's weight and sitting position to determine their body size or age, to choose the inflation situation when the airbags are deployed - these are all high-end SUVs and even cars. Only equipment. In addition, the ERM electronic rollover control system intervenes according to the body dynamics to minimize the possibility of overturning; there are also hidden anti-collision beams in the doors... These devices almost arm the new Wrangler into a digital machine.

Transformation?

Also announced at the New York Auto Show is an Unlimited version of the new Wrangler. This can be said to be a milestone in the history of the Wrangler brand - the first four-door version. In terms of power, mechanics, and a lot of newly added electronic equipment, of course, they are all the same as the ordinary version. The biggest difference is that the wheelbase is 2946mm, which is 523mm longer than the two-door version. That figure reaches the size of a mid-size SUV. What the factory has always cited as a selling point is its larger space, better comfort, functionality, convenience, fuel economy and road performance. The new car uses a new hard-top opening technology. The canopy can be divided into three independent parts: the rear seat, the left side of the front row, and the right side of the front row. The owner can disassemble and assemble at will, and the operation is very convenient. Although the Unlimited version certainly has good off-road performance, its performance and the selling points emphasized by the manufacturer make people have to suspect that this hard-core off-road vehicle, which has always insisted on its pure essence, is also bowing its head to the market step by step. metamorphosis. Will the changes in the new Wrangler, especially the Unlimited version, be accepted by its followers?