The JK Wrangler's Swan Song is a Cacophony
Jeep’s JK has been around for a decade, and its parent company is now doing everything in its power to maintain consumer interest in the outgoing model before the next-generation JL shows up next year. While offering limited edition vehicles has become a time-honored tradition for Jeep, this send-off for the current Wrangler is ridiculous.
The company will offer as many as twelve “special” editions of the Wrangler over the next handful of months.
The current generation Wrangler has been in production since 2006 and, despite its advanced age, the iconic 4×4 has remained one of brand’s better-selling models. Even though sales have slipped a little since last year’s boom, Jeep knows there is a market out there. However, instead of giving the JK a dignified final run, Automotive News has discovered the company will release a flurry of limited editions.
Currently, you can log onto Jeep’s website and order yourself a 75th Anniversary Edition Wrangler with bronze accents and chrome wheels. Although, if drab paint and copper-colored accents aren’t your thing, there are so many other options to choose from, with so many more coming.
Jeep also has the Wrangler Freedom Edition, with bumper appliqués and special military-themed embroidery. We also have the Rubicon Hard Rock, Black Bear, Backcountry, and Willy’s Wheeler throwback edition — which hints, not-so-subtly, at the Wrangler’s military roots.
There will be two more joining the “limited” lineup next month. December will usher in the 2017 Wrangler Sport Freedom and Wrangler Sahara Winter editions. These two will only be available through February and May, respectively.
The Sport Freedom will include a star hood and rear fender decals, American flag front fender decal, and plenty of exterior badging. It will also have 18-inch Sahara mid-gloss wheels, a heavy-duty differential cover, fuel filter cover, and tail lamp guards. The Sport Freedom sounds to be a more visibly patriotic version of the current Wrangler Freedom. Automotive News says the four-door version will run $34,590, with the two-door coming in at around four grand less.
Meanwhile, the Sahara Winter edition will feature LED head and fog lamps, off-road rock rails, hard top, custom decals and all sorts of special badging. Automatic equipped models also come with remote start. The sticker price will be $37,440 for the two-door Wrangler Sahara Winter edition, and $41,240 for the four-door.
Later in 2017, Auto News says Jeep plans to offer additional limited editions. A Sport Big Bear edition should be available in February, while the Sahara Chief and Sahara Smoky Mountain are coming in March. There will also be a Rubicon Recon edition to replace the current Rubicon Hard Rock when it ends production in February. It should be similarly equipped and priced to the Sahara Winter edition.
While a lot of this amounts to little more than some unique trim options and different paint, it’s hard to get too angry with Jeep. This deluge of limited edition Wranglers isn’t exactly the classiest of farewells for the JK, but at least the company didn’t attempt another absolutely tasteless video game tie-in with Call of Duty.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
The funny thing is: they don't need to hype the Jk in anticipation of the new ones. Lots of jeepers are going for the final year JK because of concern about what Fiat as well as government regulations will screw up
Arctic Edition in Hawaii? LOL Now there is a salesman that could sell ice-cubes to Eskimo's. How about a Hawaii Edition for those of us in the Great White North?