Jeep have teased the market in the past with concepts like the 2005 Gladiator, the 2012 J-12 and more recently the 2016 Crew Chief 715 that have never materialized. Carscoops have revealed the first spy photos that finally prove that the first Jeep bakkie since the 1992 Comanche is indeed happening.
The prototype pictured has the four-door Unlimited body and a reasonably large bed at the back. Judging by the placement of the rear wheels inside the wheel wells, we can assume that this is not going to be the final design, though.
Codenamed JL, the next-gen Wrangler is expected to enter production in the fourth quarter of 2017. The bakkie version, codenamed JT, will go into production about a year later and both will be built at the Toledo plant.
Focusing on weight-saving materials, Jeep has developed a new chassis for both models. Reports are suggesting though that there will be limited usage of aluminum in the platform’s construction.
The new Wrangler generation is expected to come with a new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder, a 3.6-litre V6 and a turbo diesel engine. A plug-in hybrid variant is being considered, but only if it will fit the proper off-road character of their iconic model.