[Gina]

The two door variant of the upcoming Wrangler Jl was spotted by the FoxNews test car hunter. It may be getting ferried away on a truck after a mechanical failure, but at least we get some nice shots of it as a result.

 

[gladiator]

This is such a teaser of the roof since we can see its vertical lines printed showing through the camo but not the cuts that would help us in suggesting how big the panels would be. Closest indication of that is the JT. Panels on these 2 should be similar.

Anything else you guys can spot??

 

[Jeepernator]

Well, they mentioned a set of Rubicon-style wheels. What I'm excited about are the possible rests for a fold-down windscreen sticking through the wrap covering the hood . Not sure how close the photographer go to the Wrangler to be able to see that and I'm hoping they're right. Jeep is sticking to what we're used to seeing on a Wrangler with the JL and it'l go a long way with loyal buyers.

 

[gladiator]

Last i heard they wanted to get rid of the fold down windshield, so you can throw that idea out the window till we have real confirmation (Dec 2017).

Now, this being a test mule Jeep knows the public will see, odds are they've done certain things to throw us a curve ball.

 

[Gina]

What's that rectangular bump in the middle of the hood? Or is that another part of the camouflage to throw us off? Looks like it could be a small vent to me.

 

[Johnson]

Can't imagine seeing it with a hood vent so it could just be some camo or maybe even some type of testing equipment??

 

[gladiator]

Unless due to how the air system is configured in the JL that vent means something and isn't meant to throw us off as far as test mules go.
With that being said it will help that we look into the actual functional aspect of it.

 

[Johnson]

So... heat dissipation for the turbo? That's really the only thing I can think of.

 

[Gina]

You can see that raised rectangle on the hood in the picture below, but those vents are usually more for race cars aren't they?

Of course it looks like the removable roof panels are there too.

 

[Johnson]

Hmm.. not always. Could be for aerodynamics, or maybe... maybe they have a top mounted intercooler for the turbo?

 

[gladiator]

Even without factoring in turbos, Wranglers have been known to generate a bit of heat especially when out on the trails, so this goes a long way in giving the cooling systems fresh air and quicker than without the vent.

 

[Gina]

I know the older Wrangler models do overheat, but thought it wasn't a problem that warrants a hood vent. Are the outgoing Wranglers prone to overheating?

 

[gladiator]

By design they do and if they don't already from the factory there's potential. Heat has to escape, you need some sort of flow happening and a vented hood is just about the best way to aid in that.

 

[Mangler]

I'm not too sure about that, I haven't really seen many Wranglers or heard much about heating issues that required something like hood vents. I have heard of cabin heater problems though lol

 

[HighRider]

As far as I know, Jeep engines have not been running hot since the early JK Wranglers. The new JL shouldn't have the heating issue thought it could be a bit warm when you're idling a lot during the summer months.

 

[gladiator]

Under regular driving conditions its not a problem but if you go off road then it might start to happen. A look at what some owners are experience is a good indication of whats going on here. Its not an issue but just a result of pushing the wrangler to extremes

 

[Mangler]

That'll happen with any vehicle from factory as they're not really meant to be pushed to those extremes. In that scenario, you as an owner should plan ahead. Tranny cooler, oil cooler, bigger fans/radiator, etc.

 

[Jeepernator]

So far, we've been seeing a lot of four door Wrangler mule pictures instead of the two door. Maybe the Ultimate will come out first since it's being tested so much?

 

[Johnson]

Unlimited?

Never really realized that though... does anyone remember how they were rolled out before? As in both models at the same time or was it one before the other?

 

[gladiator]

So far, we've been seeing a lot of four door Wrangler mule pictures instead of the two door. Maybe the Ultimate will come out first since it's being tested so much?

Unlike makers of certain cars/trucks/suv's, the Wrangler is a special product that doesn't require too much going back to the drawing board, so from trim to trim its a very streamlined process. Because of that we should see both the Unlimited and regular come out at launch.