Partial Next-generation Jeep Wrangler Engine Specs Leaked? [UPDATED]

Tim Healey
by Tim Healey

Our resident document digger, Bozi Tatarevic, stumbled upon a document submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that may confirm at least some details about the next Jeep Wrangler.

The docs appear to confirm that the upcoming JL-platform Wrangler will offer two engines at launch – a 3.6-liter V6 that makes 285 horsepower and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that makes 368 horsepower. Yes, you read that right.

The other piece of news gleaned from the submitted docs is that the Wrangler will initially debut as four-door only. Just three trim levels were listed: Sport Unlimited, Sahara Unlimited, and Rubicon Unlimited.

Don’t worry, Wrangler fans. Just because a two-door bodystyle isn’t listed, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening (as seen by this camouflaged model). The same goes for a diesel-engine option or the pickup-truck bodystyle, which Jeep has confirmed.

We’ve already reported that the diesel is still a go, and that it will appear later on, probably in the spring of 2018. We’ve also already reported that the truck version will bring back the Scrambler name and go on sale in 2019.

These documents appear to confirm some other bits of our previous reporting – we already wrote about leaks that indicate a production run beginning in November with the four-door hardtop bodystyle and a choice of engines between the 3.6-liter V6 and 2.0-liter turbo four.

We also reported the V6 would be offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission or six-speed manual and that the 2.0-liter would be a “ mild hybrid” unit only offered with an automatic. The docs do not confirm anything related to transmissions, nor do they confirm or refute the “mild hybrid” reporting. It’s entirely possible that Jeep could offer a traditional turbo four and a mild hybrid, or that the turbo four is a mild hybrid.

Roof options are likewise not touched upon, nor is the type of 4WD system offered, although the docs do show there will be 4WD of some sort, as one would expect from a Wrangler.

I reached out to Chrysler for comment, and got the usual response, which is to say that Chrysler PR folks won’t talk about future product. I was unable to confirm whether the Wrangler would debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November – which it would if the production run does, in fact, start next month – or at FCA’s hometown auto show, the North American International Auto Show, which takes place in January.

Personally, I’d love to see a manual transmission matched to the 2.0-liter, but whatever the case is, the wraps will be off the package soon.

You can read the documents for yourself below.

UPDATE, 10/12/2017: As noted by our own Steph Willems, FCA has refiled the documentation, and the 368 figure has been replaced with an unrated number. Click here for more.

FCA Trucks NHTSA by BT on Scribd

[Images: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

FCA Trucks NHTSA
Tim Healey
Tim Healey

Tim Healey grew up around the auto-parts business and has always had a love for cars — his parents joke his first word was “‘Vette”. Despite this, he wanted to pursue a career in sports writing but he ended up falling semi-accidentally into the automotive-journalism industry, first at Consumer Guide Automotive and later at Web2Carz.com. He also worked as an industry analyst at Mintel Group and freelanced for About.com, CarFax, Vehix.com, High Gear Media, Torque News, FutureCar.com, Cars.com, among others, and of course Vertical Scope sites such as AutoGuide.com, Off-Road.com, and HybridCars.com. He’s an urbanite and as such, doesn’t need a daily driver, but if he had one, it would be compact, sporty, and have a manual transmission.

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  • Brettc Brettc on Oct 06, 2017

    Comic sans for a signature block? What in the eff is going on at FCA...

  • RHD RHD on Oct 06, 2017

    At least now we know how to email or call Rhonda Curran, so we can find out if the 368HP 2.0 turbo is a typo or the real deal.

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