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Update - Feb. 27, 2017
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited prototype has been spotted again providing the clearest looks yet at the roofline, windows, grab handles and ever-so-slightly visible top.
These new photos provide a clear look at signs of a prominent hood bulge, larger and longer air dam below the front bumper that extends much lower to the ground, and the large A-pillar mounted grab handles on the driver and passenger side.
Our sources have indicated that the JL will not only retain a foldable windshield, but Jeep has actually redesigned Wrangler to make it easier to fold up and down. The large grab handles are positioned as such to do double duty-- used as traditional grab bars for ingress and egress and when things get rough on the trail, as well as serving as a handle for lowering and raising the windshield from the interior. To make it even more convenient, the rearview mirror mount has been moved to the ceiling (as opposed to being mounted on the current model), as clearly shown in the photos.
The fenders on the JL Wrangler appear to arch higher on the vehicle and have been reshaped for a more rounded look. In fact, many of the JLU's edges have been rounded for better aerodynamics, from the fenders to the windows, roofline and overall silhouette.
There are also hints of the new black roof panels and though not much else can be discerned from the thin sheet of roof we see, we can tell that the ribs are similar to the current Wrangler's Freedom hardtop. Along with the folding windshield, this points to a highly open-air design.
Here's what's clearly seen in these new images:
Update - Feb. 26, 2017
Our photos also reveal a new interior feature -- grab handles mounted on the A-pillar.
They appear to be large and robust. It remains to be seen whether there will also be handles mounted in back for rear passengers.
Original post - Feb. 24, 2017
Our spies have just caught the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) out testing with a lot less of its disguise, showing for the first time an almost naked view of its side body panels, windows, door cut lines and roof line.
While the overall design of the four-door JL Wrangler does not appear to stray far from the outgoing model, a few key differences can be seen from this prototype that still remains largely concealed.
First, as expected the windshield and A-pillar have a noticeable rake, angling downward by a few degrees compared to the JK Wrangler. The JL’s new running board is also visible and shows a wider and tougher looking part with a step surface that runs the entire length of the front and rear fenders (unlike the JKU which has unusable contours near the fenders and between the front/rear doors). The running boards appear to be made from the same thick blow-molded textured plastic as that of the current model which should match the fenders on trims not equipped with body colored fenders.
Both the door handles and hinges are covered up but suggest that the exterior door hinges will remain (and be as easily removable as the current model). The doors work their way up to the bottom edge of the roof line which appears to be largely unchanged and hints at a removable hard top on this prototype. The JL's drip rails also extend the entire length of the roof to the tailgate as opposed to the current JKU's rails that terminate after the rear doors.
The tires spotted on this prototype are 18" Bridgestone Dueler A/T, the same tires as equipped on the current JK Wrangler Sahara. Previous JL/JLU prototypes have worn 17" BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires.
The 18" wheels, Bridgestone Dueler tires, and running boards point to this as a Sahara edition JLU.
The rear is still heavily covered in thick camouflage but peeking out from underneath is at least one new feature, a backup camera, that will be a first for the Jeep Wrangler.
Compare to previous spied prototypes:
http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...Strip-and-Headlights-Brightly-Lit-and-Exposed
http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...uction-Grille-Exposed-Testing-in-Death-Valley
New photos from Feb. 27
Original photos from Feb. 24
COMPARISON TO JK WRANGLER:
The 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited prototype has been spotted again providing the clearest looks yet at the roofline, windows, grab handles and ever-so-slightly visible top.
These new photos provide a clear look at signs of a prominent hood bulge, larger and longer air dam below the front bumper that extends much lower to the ground, and the large A-pillar mounted grab handles on the driver and passenger side.
Our sources have indicated that the JL will not only retain a foldable windshield, but Jeep has actually redesigned Wrangler to make it easier to fold up and down. The large grab handles are positioned as such to do double duty-- used as traditional grab bars for ingress and egress and when things get rough on the trail, as well as serving as a handle for lowering and raising the windshield from the interior. To make it even more convenient, the rearview mirror mount has been moved to the ceiling (as opposed to being mounted on the current model), as clearly shown in the photos.
The fenders on the JL Wrangler appear to arch higher on the vehicle and have been reshaped for a more rounded look. In fact, many of the JLU's edges have been rounded for better aerodynamics, from the fenders to the windows, roofline and overall silhouette.
There are also hints of the new black roof panels and though not much else can be discerned from the thin sheet of roof we see, we can tell that the ribs are similar to the current Wrangler's Freedom hardtop. Along with the folding windshield, this points to a highly open-air design.
Here's what's clearly seen in these new images:
- prominent hood bulge
- larger and longer air dam/skid plate that extends much lower to the ground
- large A-pillar grab handles on the driver and passenger side
- rearview mirror mounted to the roof instead of the windshield
- reshaped, more rounded fenders that appear to arch higher on the vehicle
- rounded windows
- hints of black roof panels
Update - Feb. 26, 2017
Our photos also reveal a new interior feature -- grab handles mounted on the A-pillar.
They appear to be large and robust. It remains to be seen whether there will also be handles mounted in back for rear passengers.
Original post - Feb. 24, 2017
Our spies have just caught the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) out testing with a lot less of its disguise, showing for the first time an almost naked view of its side body panels, windows, door cut lines and roof line.
While the overall design of the four-door JL Wrangler does not appear to stray far from the outgoing model, a few key differences can be seen from this prototype that still remains largely concealed.
First, as expected the windshield and A-pillar have a noticeable rake, angling downward by a few degrees compared to the JK Wrangler. The JL’s new running board is also visible and shows a wider and tougher looking part with a step surface that runs the entire length of the front and rear fenders (unlike the JKU which has unusable contours near the fenders and between the front/rear doors). The running boards appear to be made from the same thick blow-molded textured plastic as that of the current model which should match the fenders on trims not equipped with body colored fenders.
Both the door handles and hinges are covered up but suggest that the exterior door hinges will remain (and be as easily removable as the current model). The doors work their way up to the bottom edge of the roof line which appears to be largely unchanged and hints at a removable hard top on this prototype. The JL's drip rails also extend the entire length of the roof to the tailgate as opposed to the current JKU's rails that terminate after the rear doors.
The tires spotted on this prototype are 18" Bridgestone Dueler A/T, the same tires as equipped on the current JK Wrangler Sahara. Previous JL/JLU prototypes have worn 17" BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires.
The 18" wheels, Bridgestone Dueler tires, and running boards point to this as a Sahara edition JLU.
The rear is still heavily covered in thick camouflage but peeking out from underneath is at least one new feature, a backup camera, that will be a first for the Jeep Wrangler.
Compare to previous spied prototypes:
http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...Strip-and-Headlights-Brightly-Lit-and-Exposed
http://www.jlwranglerforums.com/for...uction-Grille-Exposed-Testing-in-Death-Valley
New photos from Feb. 27
Original photos from Feb. 24
COMPARISON TO JK WRANGLER:
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