aldo98229
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Aldo
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2019
- Threads
- 86
- Messages
- 11,022
- Reaction score
- 27,696
- Location
- Bellingham, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 2023 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider
- Occupation
- Market Research
- Vehicle Showcase
- 3
I think the success of Jeep Wrangler is that it does its own thing and, in doing so, redefines what a “fun” vehicle is.
The entire industry learned to associate “fun to drive” with a very specific formula: low 0-60 times, high g-pad numbers, short braking distances, precise steering, short shifter throws, stiff suspensions, low profile tires, etc. This is the same formula Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Consumer Reports, etc. continue to use to this day.
But Wrangler flies in the face of all this. Wranglers have vague steering, sloppy suspensions, long shifter throws, tall tires, unremarkable acceleration and braking, and still puts a smile on people’s faces.
When researchers ask owners what makes Wranglers so much fun, the same few obvious responses pop up: removable top and doors, iconic styling, go anywhere capability...
I would argue that owners find Wranglers fun to drive in more mundane, day-to-day uses, in ways they are unable to express. IMO, the combination of front and rear solid axles, with Quadra-Coil suspension, gives Wrangler unique driving characteristics which, while they should be the antithesis of “fun to drive” in traditional terms, results in a uniquely fun to drive vehicle nonetheless.
From this standpoint, Ford already threw out half of Wrangler’s secret sauce when it opted to give Bronco an IFS...
The entire industry learned to associate “fun to drive” with a very specific formula: low 0-60 times, high g-pad numbers, short braking distances, precise steering, short shifter throws, stiff suspensions, low profile tires, etc. This is the same formula Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track, Consumer Reports, etc. continue to use to this day.
But Wrangler flies in the face of all this. Wranglers have vague steering, sloppy suspensions, long shifter throws, tall tires, unremarkable acceleration and braking, and still puts a smile on people’s faces.
When researchers ask owners what makes Wranglers so much fun, the same few obvious responses pop up: removable top and doors, iconic styling, go anywhere capability...
I would argue that owners find Wranglers fun to drive in more mundane, day-to-day uses, in ways they are unable to express. IMO, the combination of front and rear solid axles, with Quadra-Coil suspension, gives Wrangler unique driving characteristics which, while they should be the antithesis of “fun to drive” in traditional terms, results in a uniquely fun to drive vehicle nonetheless.
From this standpoint, Ford already threw out half of Wrangler’s secret sauce when it opted to give Bronco an IFS...
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