Jeep takes its most off-road capable Wrangler and kicks things up a notch with the 2017 Rubicon Recon.
.jpg)
Jeep Wrangler
"Jeep: A four-wheel drive vehicle of one-half- to one-and-one-half-ton capacity for reconnaissance or other army duty. A term applied to the bantam-cars, and occasionally to other motor vehicles (U.S.A.) in the Air Corps, the Link Trainer; in the armored forces, the ½-ton command vehicle. Also referred to as 'any small plane, helicopter, or gadget.'"
- From "Words of the Fighting Forces" by Clinton A. Sanders, 1942
Say what you will about Jeep's current, broad, lineup of sport utility vehicles, but true believers know that the Wrangler is the one "real" Jeep. It is, after all, the only model that can trace its lineage all the way back to the 1940 Bantam Reconnaissance Car.
.jpg)
2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon
Earlier today, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced that the most off-road worthy of its Wrangler models, the Rubicon, would spawn a new upscale model that would "deliver even more capability – specifically more protection from the most severe, rugged off-road terrain."
Dubbed the Wrangler Rubicon Recon, the new trim level will come with a number of beefed-up components over the standard Rubicon to give it even more backwoods prowess. The upgrades include:
• Upgraded front axle with strengthened tubes and heavy-duty end forgings
• Heavy-duty cast front and rear differential covers
• Off-road rock rails shortened to accommodate tire sizes up to 35 inches
• One half-inch additional lift
Technical specs include a four-wheel-drive system that features electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles, a "Rock-Trac" transfer case with "4-Low" ratio of 4:1, standard 4.10 front and rear axle ratios, 6-speed manual transmission, and a crawl ratio of 73.1:1 (with the 6-speed manual transmission).
Like all the brand's special editions, special attention has also been paid to exterior trim bits meant to attract the attention of Jeep aficionados, including:
• Black, Bright White, Billet Silver, Firecracker Red, Gobi, Rhino, and Granite Crystal exterior colors
• 17-inch Low Gloss Granite Crystal alloy wheels
• 32-inch BF Goodrich KM off-road tires
• Dual-vented Power Dome hood with a
• Black-silhouette "Rubicon" left and right hood decals
• Low Gloss Black grille with Low Gloss Granite Crystal inserts
• Low Gloss Granite Crystal headlamp rings
• Low Gloss Black off-road bumpers
• Winch-capable front bumper with removable end caps
• Front and rear red tow hooks
Standard interior upgrades include:
• 8-speaker sound system
• Heated black leather seats (with "Rubicon" embossed logo)
• Red accent-stitched, leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Unique gauge cluster with Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC)
• Additional instrumentation including oil pressure, transmission and coolant temperatures, digital speed, and individual tire pressure
• Red-accented seat belts, axle locker, and sway-bar disconnect switches
• All-weather slush mats (with red "Jeep" logo)
The Jeep Connectivity Group, Power Convenience Group, Satellite Radio, remote starter, and automatic climate control are standard as is a Sunrider soft top. Options include such niceties as an automatic transmission, body-color hard top, and body-color fender flares.
.jpg)
2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Recon prices and availability
2017 Wrangler Rubicon Recon prices start at $39,145 for the two-door model and $42,945 for the four-door (Wrangler Unlimited) model. The 2017 Rubicon Recon will start arriving in dealer showrooms later this month.
