Currently reading: New Jeep Wrangler to get hybrid and production hike to meet UK demand
The next Wrangler, due in 2018, won't be hampered by limited supply like today's model; hybrid version is in the pipeline, too

Good news for British fans of the Jeep Wrangler: the new model, due in 2018, will be built in sufficient volume for plentiful supply to UK dealers.

The Jeep Wrangler has now been revealed. Click here for the full story.

Seen here testing in rugged, two-door Rubicon form, the updated Wrangler will also be produced globally in larger numbers, with the UK one of the main markets to benefit.

“I have lifted the free demand on the Wrangler – the volume of cars that we can supply when a distributor asks for them,” Jeep CEO Michael Manley said earlier this year.

Currently, UK volume of the Wrangler is limited to around 2000 units, which has prompted many disappointed customers to complain to Manley. “I get a lot of letters from the UK asking about the Wrangler,” he said.

Wrangler2 door10

The new ‘JL’ Wrangler will arrive in the UK market at least a year ahead of the new Land Rover Defender.

Jeep is boosting output to 350,000 units a year - an increase of about 50% - at its Toledo factory with a $700 million investment.

Part of the growth is because of a new crew-cab pick-up version of the Wrangler, which, Manley confirmed, will be available in the UK. “The crew-cab could be a much bigger success than we think and I’ve protected for that in our production plans,” he said.

Jeep UK has seen the crew-cab Wrangler and discussed potential sales volume with the factory.

The brand will also introduce hybrid versions of many of its models but is avoiding pure-electric variants. “A full battery-electric-vehicle Wrangler is not relevant. We can’t strand one of our vehicles on a remote mountain side,” Manley said.

Wrangler2 door12

Advertisement

Read our review

Car review

The Jeep Wrangler is the classic all-American heavy-duty off-roader. It is brilliant off road, but compromised on the tarmac

Back to top

The first hybrid Jeep is set to be a version of the new Wrangler, with electric and battery componentry most likely hooked up to a new four-cylinder soft-turbo petrol engine.

But Manley also reiterated that diesel power remains “absolutely necessary” for Europe, although he cautioned that small diesels were on the verge of becoming too expensive to manufacture due to the high cost of exhaust after-treatment needed to comply with legal requirements.

There is also a possibility that Jeep will add two large SUVs to the top of its range. One of them, the Grand Wagoneer (GW), has been in Jeep’s future product plan since 2014 but is now pushed back to 2019.

Manley refused to rule out a Wagoneer version between the Grand Cherokee and the GW. “I just don’t want to comment on that,” he said.

More content:

Join the debate

Comments
16
Add a comment…
spellow7 20 September 2017

make a manual

Please, please make this lovely 4x4 available with a manual box.
Just not right for that option to be unavailable.
Rtfazeberdee 20 September 2017

More damn imports

prefer to buy local

MarcusBoothby 23 September 2017

Rtfazeberdee wrote:

Rtfazeberdee wrote:

prefer to buy local

Local cars for local peopleSeriously though, I don't get the whole point of patriotism when it comes to cars. In most cases, what remains of the British manufactures, they charge more than their rivals. Sure, the new XE and XF are very prerrty cars but I'd rather soend that kind of money on a 530d on a 'nearly new' deal.

 

Bob Cholmondeley 20 September 2017

Beats me why anyone buys a

Beats me why anyone buys a Wrangler, especially as most never face anything more demanding than a steep filling station entrance.

Beastie_Boy 20 September 2017

Errrr, what an odd thing to say.

Bob Cholmondeley wrote:

Beats me why anyone buys a Wrangler, especially as most never face anything more demanding than a steep filling station entrance.

That's a bit like wondering why anyone would by a Porsche when the national speed limit is 70mph.

People go to work. People earn some money. People get to spend it on whatever they like.

Do you get lost on the way to Mumsnet?

Justin666 21 September 2017

I love my Jeep

Beastie_Boy wrote:

Bob Cholmondeley wrote:

Beats me why anyone buys a Wrangler, especially as most never face anything more demanding than a steep filling station entrance.

That's a bit like wondering why anyone would by a Porsche when the national speed limit is 70mph.

People go to work. People earn some money. People get to spend it on whatever they like.

Do you get lost on the way to Mumsnet?

Well said! It's a Jeep thing - they wouldn't understand :-) I'll spend as much money on my Wrangler as I like - because I can.

TheDriver 20 September 2017

It's a Jeep thing!

Bob Cholmondeley wrote:

Beats me why anyone buys a Wrangler, especially as most never face anything more demanding than a steep filling station entrance.

It's a Jeep thing. You'll never understand it.

Justin666 21 September 2017

TheDriver wrote:

TheDriver wrote:

Bob Cholmondeley wrote:

Beats me why anyone buys a Wrangler, especially as most never face anything more demanding than a steep filling station entrance.

It's a Jeep thing. You'll never understand it.

So true :-)