Sponsored

Export Only: All-New 2018 Sahara Overland JL Wrangler

JAY

Administrator
Staff member
Administrator
First Name
Jay
Joined
Jan 13, 2015
Threads
680
Messages
2,175
Reaction score
7,198
Vehicle(s)
Wrangler
Build Thread
Link
Occupation
Admin
Vehicle Showcase
1
Clubs
 
We have learned that Jeep will be offering a new model -- 2018 Sahara Overland JL -- for export only (at least for now). Some countries that we have verified will receive the Overland model include Italy, Germany and Russia -- there may be others.

The 2018 Sahara Overland JL includes:
  • Overland Badge
  • Bright grille
  • No bodyside molding
  • Black/Bright mirror molding
  • Delete front tow hooks
  • Hard Spare Tire Cover
  • Mopar High Headliner
  • Exterior Spotter Mirrors
  • Tubular Side Steps
  • Black Front Frame Overlay
  • Injection Molded Black Rear Bumper
  • Easy Access Driver Seat
  • Easy Access Passenger Seat
  • Driver Height Adjuster Seat
  • Manual 6-Way Driver Seat
  • Reclining Front Seats
  • Premium Wrapped I/P Bezels
  • Manual 2-Way Driver Lumbar Adjust
  • Black Door Handles
  • Rear Fog Lamps
  • Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks
  • Bright Interior Accents
  • Luxury Group
  • 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
  • 255/70R18 All Season Tires

The "Luxury Group" does not specify what is included and may be a combination of items listed above, or other features not mentioned. For reference, on the Jeep Grand Cherokee the "Luxury Group II" includes a sunroof, 9-speaker premium audio, 8.4" UConnect screen, ventilated front seats, HID headlights, etc.

Of course, we don't expect to see that level of upscale-ness but it could have a few surprises that we'll be keeping a close eye on for potential future JL options for North America.

Also for export only, there is listed a Gooseneck hitch option on the JL Sahara and Rubicon for Italy, Germany, Russia and the UK. A strange option to see given that gooseneck hitches are typically anchored through the bed of a pickup truck.

We'll provide updates if we see any more details on these models/features.
Sponsored

 

Vegas_Sirk

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 20, 2016
Threads
21
Messages
805
Reaction score
456
Location
Boise, ID
Vehicle(s)
2013 JKU
Vehicle Showcase
1
Eh :no:

I got excited when I saw it was a "overland" model, but then when I read through the list I was like :asshat:
 

Alvin R

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2017
Threads
4
Messages
52
Reaction score
16
Location
NYC
Vehicle(s)
Cherokee
Nobody else is pissed about the whole export only thing? This is a Wrangler, after all.. shouldn't all types be sold in states?
 

Sponsored

The Great Grape Ape

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Threads
9
Messages
2,840
Reaction score
4,122
Location
Canadian Rockies
Vehicle(s)
2015 JKU AspenX 5spd , 2015 JK Sport 6spd
An 'overland' model that doesn't include an extended-range fuel tank? :facepalm:

This is more like an RV tow group (or in Europe a Caravan group) than a true Overland group which would be more about making the Wrangler itself more useful at trekking on its own, not more able to haul a fat-a$$ boat-anchor behind it. :no:
 

Dackel

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2016
Threads
1
Messages
114
Reaction score
44
Location
San Clemente
Vehicle(s)
2014 JKU, Ram 1500
Yea it sounds more like your other Overland models like that of the Grand Cherokee that focus on luxury above all else. Sad they didn't model it after the Overland/Expedition builds in the aftermarket.
 

Eugene the Jeep

Active Member
First Name
James
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Threads
2
Messages
42
Reaction score
20
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU in black
Not sure why they'd call this the "Overland" model :facepalm:

Hope we get another model called something else that gets actual upgrades useful for overlanding. :fingerscrossed:
 

four low

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Threads
13
Messages
3,112
Reaction score
3,670
Location
central New York
Vehicle(s)
2018 JL
The "Sahara" trim /name has been used on the YJ, TJ, JK . Thats 30 + years.
Why abandoned for the JL ? An earlier post said no Sahara for the 2 Door JL .
Why Sahara for export only ? ??
 

Sponsored

NewApexJT

Member
First Name
Andrew
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Threads
1
Messages
19
Reaction score
16
Location
Newmarket Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2008 Ford Ranger, 2018 Nissan Frontier
Occupation
Mechanical Engineer
The "Sahara" trim /name has been used on the YJ, TJ, JK . Thats 30 + years.
Why abandoned for the JL ? An earlier post said no Sahara for the 2 Door JL .
Why Sahara for export only ? ??
I'm not really believing the rumours that the Sahara trim is gone for the two-door. Seeing how both sizes have almost the same parts(with the four-door having some elongated/minor extra parts. I wouldn't see why it would be so difficult to build the sorter version of the Sahara, especially when all the other trims are getting the two-door/four-door builds. And even if the two-door Sahara is not selling as well, it's not that difficult to ramp down production of the half dozen components that would be Sahara only(if it's even that many). For instance, using the logic that only four-door Saharas should exist because suburban soccer moms are the target demographic; would be the same as they should kill the four-door Rubicon because the people that need a rubicon don't need the longer wheelbase.
 

NewApexJT

Member
First Name
Andrew
Joined
Jun 14, 2017
Threads
1
Messages
19
Reaction score
16
Location
Newmarket Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2008 Ford Ranger, 2018 Nissan Frontier
Occupation
Mechanical Engineer
That's what I'm saying, they all have the same base components, and the only reason why you can't get some features available on some trims; is because of marketing to push you up to the next price point. This is unless their is some parts that take the same space of the other part ie. rock rails and running boards.
 

The Great Grape Ape

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2017
Threads
9
Messages
2,840
Reaction score
4,122
Location
Canadian Rockies
Vehicle(s)
2015 JKU AspenX 5spd , 2015 JK Sport 6spd
One thing of note is the 'Overland' nomenclature has existed in the UK for quite some time with the JK(U), alough it didn't really have overland extras the diesel CRD engine helped at least extend its range a bit, but no more so than the Rubicon which was also sold alongside.

The Sahara may still exist as a package, like other Special Editions, but as a trim level it never really made sense.

For some time many of us have been saying that FCA should split the Wrangler for the two distinct sets of buyers (urban vs adventure or soft-road vs off-road) and then any required split in base platform occur then. Sure this was for the possibility of things like IFS, but it makes sense even for a split based on Engine, etc.

The Split could go along the line of soft-road: Sport/Sahara (base/premium) and off-road: Willys/Rubicon.

However it looks like FCA just split it on features, so you can add anything to a Sport to bring it up to a Sahara, but for the RockTrac transfer case, and perhaps new spied 12-bolt axles, you need to start at the Rubicon and add from there. Also, Rubi 4drs work better for people who do any climbing in their off-roading rather than just humps and rocks.

The Sahara was essentially a Sport with bling, so the Sport/Rubicon split makes sense if they let you add what you want instead of forcing you into a Sahara in order to get access to stuff like they previously did.

Then the Sahara, just becomes like the Freedom Edition, or Willys, or Winter, or BackCountry where it's just a package that gets you into a bunch of options for a combo price, not really a true 'trim level'.

Of course anything could happen, it might just be for the 2dr for some reason, despite it outselling the Rubicon.
Sponsored

 
 



Top