Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon Trail 2018 

Design,Engineering,Jeep | September 26 2018

Wrangler Wednesday: All-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler offers exceptional on-road ride and handling characteristics to match legendary off-road ability

When engineers and designers began work on the all-new 2018 Jeep® Wrangler, they not only focused on further enhancing the off-road capabilities of the iconic vehicle, but also improving the Wrangler’s ride and handling characteristics on the roads leading to those trails.

The Wrangler’s predecessor, the Willys MA/MB, was initially designed as a 4×4 vehicle that could transport troops across the rough terrain of the battlefield. In the years following the war, its off-road capability was embraced by farmers who used the civilian version of the vehicle in the field and on rugged and demanding trails.

The newest version of the Wrangler carries on that legacy, complete with the Trail Rated badge affixed to each model, but also offers a smoother on-road ride.

“A big improvement that we made going from the previous-generation Wrangler to the all-new model is the on-road refinement,” said Brian Leyes, Jeep Wrangler chief engineer. “We’ve struck a really great balance between on-road refinement and off-road capability.”

Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon Trail 2018

Leyes stated the wheelbase of the new Wrangler was lengthened to give it more stability. It is also wider and longer than its predecessor.

Here’s the difference in wheelbase, length and width between the 2018 Jeep Wrangler (JL) and previous model (JK).

All-new 2018 Wrangler (JL)

  •  Wheelbase: 2-door 96.8 (2,460), 4­door 118.4 (3,008)
  •  Overall Length (includes spare tire): 2-door 166.8 (4,237), 4-door 188.4 (4,785)
  •  Overall Width: 73.8 (1,875)

Previous Generation Wrangler (JK)

  • Wheelbase: 2-door 95.4 (2,423.1), 4-door 116 (2,947.2)
  • Overall Length (includes spare tire): 2-door 164.3 (4,173.2), 4­door 184.9 (4,696.5)
  • Overall Width: 73.7 (1,872.9)

Additionally, the shocks have been retuned and demonstrate optimum balance between on-road handling and legendary off-road capability.

Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon Trail 2018

These improvements have optimized on-road handling and ride comfort without sacrificing off-road capability.

“This is a vehicle that the customer can drive to work every day, be very comfortable and then go have fun on the weekends,” Leyes added.

Learn more about the all-new 2018 Jeep Wrangler by visiting www.Jeep.com.

Edward Cardenas
Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as
Read More
Hello from the Motor City! I’m Edward Cardenas and I’m multimedia editor for Stellantis. As a lifelong Detroiter, I have been surrounded by the automotive industry. I’ve had members of my immediate and extended family work in the industry. I’ve covered it as a journalist and advocated for it as a communications professional. I have also experienced the thrills of the industry while riding in a race car at nearly 200 miles per hour. Having this breadth of experience, I look forward to drawing upon my experiences to bring a wide range of stories, photos and videos about Chrysler, FIAT and Alfa Romeo to Stellantis Digital Media. When I’m not covering my brands, I’m spending time with my wife and two boys.