[Wrangler JL News]

Yes, you heard right! After speculating for so long, we now have information on the upcoming Wrangler JL’s powertrains thanks to Jalopnik and the tip they received from an anonymous source who claims to have ties with an FCA assembly plant.

They may not all be available at launch, but the JL-generation 2018 Jeep Wrangler should be offered with six different engine options; two versions of the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, two versions of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two diesel engines, a 3.0- and a 2.2-liter. This news collaborates with prior rumors and spy shots of the new Wrangler.

Last year, a test mule was spotted putting around with what sounded like a diesel engine and an EcoDiesel V6 engine was suspected to be the culprit. There were also rumors of a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, internally called the Hurricane, that’s capable of producing 300 horsepower. Though we can’t confirm this as the source did not divulge any horsepower specifics nor did they say if either of the four-cylinder Jeeps will be turbos.

Transmission options were left out as well, but a spy shot of t Wrangler JL prototype revealed the existence of a stick shift with 6 gears. Of course, an automatic transmission is likely going to be an option as well.

Finally, the tip includes the various roof options a customer can choose; a black soft, tan soft, black hard, body-color hard and a power-retractable top.

As expected, when Jalopnik reached out to FCA for comment, a spokesperson said that FCA cannot comment on a future model.

 

[HighRider]

That list is most likely for the global market if it is real. Hard to imagine Jeep giving us so many engines when the the JK is offered with 2 only, a 2.8 Turbo diesel and a 3.6 pentastar.

 

[Johnson]

Has to be a global market list as there's no way they would offer so many engine options to a single region

 

[Principal Skinr]

I'd really love to see the v6 diesel with a manual transmission. Probably won't happen, though. It is more likely to be auto-only, I'd guess.

 

[BucsJL]

What gearing options do you think the 3.0 diesel will come with?

 

[Gina]

Didn't the 2017 Wrangler test mule have a six-speed stick? That's probably what the diesel engine will be paired with. Or it could come standard with all trims for all we know. Maybe the automatic transmission will be six-speed too.

 

[JeepFan]

3.6 V6 with a manual transmission will be the ultimate pairing and I say that because they won't make it on higher trims, entry-level. Anyone that knows Wranglers knows where that engine/transmission combination fits.

 

[Gina]

Now we just have to wait for FCA to release the specs. I'd look at what the engine is currently making in other models, but the 3.6 V6 is in the Pacifica right now and that's not exactly a good body for comparison.

 

[Johnson]

Adding to that, that 3.6 V6 is a darn good ol' reliable engine. That with a manual transmission and you have an even more reliable setup. The only thing that really goes wrong with manual transmissions is a clutch that goes bad, if you can drive properly, you good. They're also cheaper to fix than automatic transmissions lol.

 

[Gina]

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 makes 287 HP and 262 lb-ft in the Pacifica, enough to climb up some California hills. Even if the engine is detuned a bit in the Wrangler, the engine will still feel respectable so long as it's not weighed down by a lot of mods.

 

[JeepFan]

Adding to that, that 3.6 V6 is a darn good ol' reliable engine. That with a manual transmission and you have an even more reliable setup. The only thing that really goes wrong with manual transmissions is a clutch that goes bad, if you can drive properly, you good. They're also cheaper to fix than automatic transmissions lol.

that last part is an important point since not all Jeep dealers have good service, meaning going to an independent shop won't be so bad after all with a new product, these guys will already have an idea what to do

but even that's true with Jeep dealers, just depends what will work out better for you

 

[Gina]

Yup, manual transmissions typically are cheaper and repairs can cost around $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the vehicle while automatics can go from $2,000 to $4,000 and maybe even more with how complicated they're getting.

 

[gladiator]

We better enjoy manuals while we have them because the next time a Wrangler comes out manuals will get axed.

But of all vehicles out there to get boring with automated systems and less human input, the Wrangler will be the slowest to progress that direction.

 

[HighRider]

I highly doubt Jeep will axe manual drive in their next Wrangler generation after the JL, not with the amount of die hard manual fans out there. Yes, they may do this for other models like the Renegade since they're more road oriented, but I can't imagine that happening with the Wrangler.

 

[Johnson]

I think it'll depend on how sales go with the automatics vs. manual transmission that'll really depict if it'll make sense to just axe it and get it over with or maintain producing it and putting them in.

The Wrangler would be the most hard pressed to keep it though because of the types of owners that buy them and utilize them.

 

[Jeepernator]

Plenty of manual transmission problems have been reported over the years, but even then people will still choose manual over automatic and it costs less for Jeep to install compared to auto. Even if manual doesn't sell as well as automatic in the new JL, I think Jeep will still continue to offer it.

 

[JeepFan]

Plenty of manual transmission problems have been reported over the years, but even then people will still choose manual over automatic and it costs less for Jeep to install compared to auto. Even if manual doesn't sell as well as automatic in the new JL, I think Jeep will still continue to offer it.

No doubt about that.


Now people are getting them more for scarcity than anything else, whenever something people loved having for so long starts to hit the chopping block this reluctance to follow the change happens, even if the traditional way is inferior to an extent.

 

[Gina]

If one of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines is the Hurricane, then the other could be the less powerful version found in the Jeep Compass and Patriot? I think it's a naturally aspirated engine with around 160 hp.

 

[Johnson]

Very possible and it would make sense to have that for a base model engine. Not too capable but capable enough for regular driving and a commuter vehicle. They're efficient. Haven't heard too many complaints about them yet either.

 

[HighRider]

Are you talking about the 2.0L DOHC engine in the compass? It delivers 158 horsepower and 141 lb-ft of torque. Substantial for an entry level Wrangler JL I suppose, at least it gets 36 mpg.