Details Leaked About 2018 Jeep Wrangler's Aluminum Use

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

The next-generation Jeep Wrangler needs to satisfy increasingly stringent fuel economy requirements, which means shaving weight off of the brick wherever possible.

While Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has shunned widespread use of aluminum (a la Ford F-150), a significant amount of the lightweight metal will still find its way into the upcoming model, according to an internal Alcoa new release posted to JL Wrangler Forums.

Alcoa — a name synonymous with lightweight metals — claims via the release that the Wrangler will be the first vehicle to use its newly developed C6A1 high form alloy. Two other alloys will also be used, all of them bound for the Wrangler’s front and rear doors and hood.

These are the only components mentioned by Alcoa, but it doesn’t mean that aluminum parts from another supplier won’t find its way into the vehicle. Cost was a major factor in FCA limiting the use of aluminum.

Other changes planned for the 2018 Wrangler also have improved fuel economy in mind. Expect subtle improvements in aerodynamics, an optional eight-speed automatic, and the likely addition of a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine option. FCA’s “Hurricane” four makes roughly 300 horsepower, and would serve as an upgrade engine over the existing 3.6-liter Pentastar V6.

In a nod to the Jeep aficionados who have waited for years for a pickup variant of the Wrangler, FCA CEO Sergio Marchione plans to give them exactly that.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • Zackman Zackman on Sep 20, 2016

    I think the Wrangler's body is the least of the mpg problems with Jeep - there isn't much body to speak of, compared to a regular car. Change gearing, for one. Apparently, mpgs aren't an issue with the owners of Wranglers - they drive them like a bat out of a belfry on the highway. I imagine they're getting all of 10 mpg. Good for them, not good for me. I still want one, though - Wrangler Sport, half-doors, A/C & auto tranny. That's all. Oh - in either red or yellow, please.

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    • Tresmonos Tresmonos on Sep 21, 2016

      @SC5door That is unfair to Oakville and Chicago comparing a wrangler to their product. Oakville and Chicago are f*cking Rolls compared to a garbage Wrangler. You have got to be kidding me or you're more drunk than me. Edit: looks like I replied to the wrong comment. I am too drunk to Internet

  • Whynotaztec Whynotaztec on Sep 20, 2016

    I have a 15 JK and a lighter door would be nice. Honestly the existing sheet metal is so flimsy I can't see how aluminum could be lighter at this point, unless it's foil. Whenever I wash it by hand I fear in putting dents in it. Not good on the highway above 70, I try not to use it on long trips. I could go on about other limitations but bottom line is it is the most satisfying car purchase I have made in my 30 years of car buying.

    • Vulpine Vulpine on Sep 20, 2016

      I'd offer to swap with you if I could; my JKU has no less than nine 1500-mile road trips under it in less than 80,000 total miles driven. It served as my primary driver from '07 through '14, after which a Fiat 500 took over primary driver duties seconded by a '97 Ranger nine months later. The problem with both of those is that they lack AWD/4WD capability, relegating the JKU to long road trips (more interior capacity) and foul weather. And as I mentioned above, if you keep your speed down to a reasonable level, economy could be far, far worse. It still managed better than the '90 Ford F-150 I drove as an at-need truck for four years both in town and on the highway.

  • Tresmonos Tresmonos on Sep 20, 2016

    YOU KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A CAKE WALK FOR FCA BECAUSE STAMPING STRIATIONS, OPEN HEMS, OIL CANNING, MARS AND GENERAL METAL DEFECTS IS A JEEP THING. F*ck, marketing has Jeep owners willingly accepting sh*t NVH, poor fit and finish, 90% air leakage and other quality nightmares as an endearing quality. You can build a f*cking jeep in a war zone and people would line up to buy it. I am angsty because most of the 4 door Jeep Wrangler top hat was engineered by people who I knew that got punted. That and if I built Wranglers I could huff spray paint and still do a good job

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    • Pete Zaitcev Pete Zaitcev on Sep 21, 2016

      The "90% air leakage" is something that escapes from the anus of ignorant commenters.

  • DenverMike DenverMike on Sep 20, 2016

    FCA should focus on making it profitable and pay the silly fines. The Wrangler's poor aerodynamics kills it's mpg more than anything, especially all the exposed junk underneath.

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