Automotive

Jeep dazzles LA with retro and upgraded special editions

Jeep dazzles LA with retro and upgraded special editions
The all-new Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition at the LA Auto Show
The all-new Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition at the LA Auto Show
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The Wrangler Willys includes a gloss black front grille
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The Wrangler Willys includes a gloss black front grille
The new Jeep special package is an homage to classic Willys Jeeps
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The new Jeep special package is an homage to classic Willys Jeeps
The Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition debuts at the 2013 LA Auto Show
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The Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition debuts at the 2013 LA Auto Show
The new Willys Wheeler package has 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain tires
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The new Willys Wheeler package has 17-inch wheels with BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain tires
Inside the Wrangler Willys Wheeler
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Inside the Wrangler Willys Wheeler
Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition
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Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition
Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition
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Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition
The Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition will be available early next year
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The Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition will be available early next year
The all-new Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition at the LA Auto Show
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The all-new Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition at the LA Auto Show
Decals finish the Willys Wheeler Edition's look
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Decals finish the Willys Wheeler Edition's look
The Dragon Edition rides on 18-inch wheels
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The Dragon Edition rides on 18-inch wheels
The black-bronze styling is applied inside and out
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The black-bronze styling is applied inside and out
The grill slats get bronze treatment
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The grill slats get bronze treatment
The Dragon Edition pairs a black base color with bronze trim and dragon graphics
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The Dragon Edition pairs a black base color with bronze trim and dragon graphics
The Jeep Trail Carver debuted at SEMA and made an encore appearance at the LA Auto Show
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The Jeep Trail Carver debuted at SEMA and made an encore appearance at the LA Auto Show
The Trail Carver features topo graphics
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The Trail Carver features topo graphics
The Trail Carver appears to be just a SEMA concept; Jeep doesn't provide any pricing information
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The Trail Carver appears to be just a SEMA concept; Jeep doesn't provide any pricing information
The Trail Carver showcased a concept roof box
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The Trail Carver showcased a concept roof box
Mopar's roof box can haul some cargo
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Mopar's roof box can haul some cargo
The Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver at the LA Auto Show
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The Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver at the LA Auto Show
The Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver is based on the Cherokee Trailhawk package
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The Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver is based on the Cherokee Trailhawk package
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Think LA and your first automobile vision is probably a bright-red Ferrari being navigated by a Hollywood big wig. While there was plenty of support for that stereotype at the LA Auto Show, Jeep had a different take on the local scene. It urged men of means to skip the pretty sports cars in favor of Jeep specials designed to escape the metropolis and chew up California's sand, rock, snow and dirt.

2014 Jeep Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition

The Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition will be available early next year
The Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition will be available early next year

Debuted at the LA show, the Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition is an homage to the original Willys CJs of the World War II era. More like the originals and less like the watered-down SUV of 2013, the Willys has its sights on mud and dirt. It comes complete with a Dana 44 rear axle with Trac-Lok limited-slip rear differential and 3.73 gears, rock rails, and a new Jeep Trail Rated Kit with D-Ring, tow strap and gloves. Those upgrades complement the Command-Trac 4x4 part-time, two-speed transfer case with 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio when grappling difficult terrain.

The Wrangler Willys gets its special look from a gloss black grille, gloss black front and rear bumper appliques, and "4 Wheel Drive" and "Willys" exterior decals. It stands tall on gloss black, 17-inch aluminum wheels rolled up in BF Goodrich KM Mud Terrain LT255/75R17 tires. A Sunrider soft top with deep-tint rear windows, and classic Jeep half doors are available as an option.

The Wrangler Willys Wheeler Edition is powered by the standard 285-hp Pentastar V6 engine and will start at US$25,795 for the two-door and $29,595 for the four-door Unlimited when it becomes available early next year.

Jeep Cherokee Trail Carver

The Jeep Trail Carver debuted at SEMA and made an encore appearance at the LA Auto Show
The Jeep Trail Carver debuted at SEMA and made an encore appearance at the LA Auto Show

The new Jeep Cherokee doesn't appear to be the most off-road-savvy vehicle to ever bear the "Cherokee" name, but the Trail Carver pushes it closer. Originally revealed at the SEMA Show earlier this month, the Trail Carver "is for trail addicts seeking a vehicle with the capabilities to handle the rugged off-road while projecting a unique, customized and luxurious look on the streets."

Based on the Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 package, the Trail Carver gets aggressive off-road tires and rock rails. A Mopar cold-air intake and cat-back exhaust add an unspecified number of ponies to the output of the 3.2-liter V6 engine. The slicked-back mohawk on top is a concept roof basket from Mopar. Crush Orange highlights pop against the Auburn Pearl exterior, and topographical map graphics on the hood and roof give the Carver a "travel anywhere" look.

Inside, the Jeep Cargo Management Receiver System keeps the Carver prepared for highway and backroad emergencies with attached Mopar roadside emergency kit, Trailhawk bag and first-aid kit. The rest of the interior is rather luxurious thanks to leather appointments, integrated Wi-Fi and a wireless smartphone charger.

Wrangler Dragon Edition

The black-bronze styling is applied inside and out
The black-bronze styling is applied inside and out

Unfortunately, even a utilitarian badge like Jeep isn't above covering its vehicles with tacky aesthetics that belong on an Ed Hardy shirt. Lacking the off-road performance upgrades of the two aforementioned packages, the Dragon Edition is the Jeep equivalent of a couple of dragon tattoos around the torso, legs and arms. Jeep brought a Dragon concept to last year's Beijing auto show and displayed it in LA to mark the Dragon Edition's 2014 model year launch in the US.

"Our loyal Jeep enthusiasts asked us to build this unique Wrangler, and we are delivering exactly what they've asked for," Jeep president and CEO Mike Manley said in a press release in September. "The new 2014 Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition boasts a stunning, unique, upscale design with styling cues that make it unlike any Wrangler ever seen before."

That design includes a black body and three-piece hard-top broken by Bronze Satin Gloss trim and a large, charcoal dragon decal slithering across the hood and down the driver side. Other exterior touches include gloss-black appliques on the front and rear bumpers, a Mopar fuel door and a dragon decal on the spare tire cover. The Dragon Edition rides on 18-inch, matte black wheels with Satin Bronze detailing.

The black, bronze and fire-breather theme continues inside, where black Nappa leather is accented with bronze trim and dragon graphics. Based on the Wrangler Sahara package, the Dragon Edition starts at $36,095.

Source: Chrysler/Jeep

View gallery - 21 images
7 comments
7 comments
Grunt
Good to see that Jeep are finally making an effort; they have a lot of ground to make up. Oh, btw, the CJ Series were post WW2. The wartime models were Bantam, Willys MB and Ford GPW, but that's just me being pernickity... ;-))
BigGoofyGuy
I am looking forward to the Jeep Mini. It would be small and I am hoping less expensive than their full size Jeeps.
I think those are nice.
Buellrider
Back in 1974 I purchased a 1952 Willy's military jeep. It had the black out lights, 24 volt electrics, shovel, and was pretty darned neat. Brakes were not so good and even though the 4 cylinder engine sounded like a sewing machine, for whatever reason the ten gallons of gas it held under the driver's seat would never last more than a few miles. Ate gas. Sold the thing for a thousand dollars to a mechanic that wanted it bad. It was a fun vehicle but thank god that gas was cheap back then while I owned it.
Lewis M. Dickens III
Ralph Gilles has worked wonders and the Jeep is much more magnificent than the dooffy Land Rovers now.
The rugged, squared off lines almost suggests elegant British but these are Jeeps and the most beautiful ones ever.
Some versions have SS perforated vent panels in the hoods and they look great and gutsy. They are.
Only problem is that no one, seems to be interested in telling how many people fit inside. AKA Passenger Capacity. Did they stop caring about people or did they figure that the number is 18 depending upon size?
Clearly masculine for those gals in Levis.
Bill
Fritz Tomacari
I really like this Jeep, But I want the easy fold down windshield back. I love driving with it down on a hot day.
Layne Nelson
I miss the 2Dr Laredo Sport.
Not everyone needs four doors that are too small for a normal size human to enter. Nor carries a gaggle of groupies.
Gregg Eshelman
The trail carver looks like an electric razor with wheels. The latest revision of the Wrangler has real hinges bolted to a windshield frame that cannot fold forward. Laaaaame. That's as silly as those faux 'convertible' roof coverings on Cadillacs.
Padded vinyl top cover = stylistic element. Padded vinyl top cover with fake drop top ribs = just looks silly.
Real hinges on a windshield that actually flips forward = making way for shooting, photos or projectiles. Real hinges on a windshield that is fixed in place = insulting JEEP fans' intelligence.