“The Jeep, the Dakota, and the landing craft were the three tools that won the war.” Those were the words of 34th US president and wartime general Dwight D. Eisenhower, and it’s hard to see much of a flaw in his logic.
Jeep changed the game with its all-terrain vehicles. When times were at their toughest, the Willys MB and Ford GPW utility vehicles made up 98 per cent of all car models built in World War II, and both of them were Jeeps.
Today, Jeep still holds its tough-guy image for conquering virtually any terrain you can put in front of it. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a great example of this, and will surely be an option for any novated lease user looking for something as capable when scrambling up rocks as it is on flat ground.
Here’s what you need to know:
The spirit of adventure
You won’t see the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited on any list of most popular cars in Australia. That’s because it’s built with a certain person in mind – the adventurous type. Whether it’s taking you and four mates down to the beach with all your boards and belongings, or facing up to the tough Aussie deserts, the Jeep Wrangler should feel right at home.
There are two engine types to choose from. The Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 will produce 209 kilowatts of power and a crushing 347 Nm of torque. That’s enough to pull it up and over rocks, through deep sand dunes and still keeps it agile in a straight line. Try overtaking in this car and you won’t be disappointed.
However, every 100 kilometres will drink up 11.4 litres of fuel, which is a lot in today’s world. If you’re acquiring your vehicle through a novated lease, you should be able to make this ongoing budgeting easier.
Alternatively, the Wrangler Unlimited can come with a 2.8-litre,16-valve, four-cylinder diesel engine, which has a more economical fuel consumption figure of 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres. This option pumps out 147 kW of power and an even higher 460 Nm of torque, so choosing really depends on what you’re after in your Jeep.
The power of three
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited comes in three variants, providing even more choice:
Unlimited Sport
This large, soft-topped SUV weighs in at around $42,500, though it comes with a fair few features. A Jeep is no longer the modestly detailed vehicle it was during war times; it is designed to give you comfort, even while you’re scrambling over mountainous terrain.
Some stand-out features include:
- The Command-Trac 4×4 system
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Cruise control
- CD/MP3/radio player
Unlimited Overland
One step up from the sport is the Overland, which, at around $53,500, has all of the above (though 17-inch wheels become 18-inch variants) and adds:
- A removable hard-top roof
- Leather seats, which are heated for driver and passenger
- 6.5-inch touchscreen and satellite navigation
- A seven-speaker Alpine sound system
- Tinted sunscreen glass
Unlimited Rubicon
At the top of the food chain, and closer to the $60,000 price point, is the Rubicon – the ultimate off-road 4×4 in this range. Expect everything you’d get in the Overland, plus:
- The Rock-Trac 4×4 system and rock rails
- Tru-Lok locking differentials
- Electronic front sway bar disconnect
Is the Jeep right for you?
To answer this question, you need to ask yourself a few others.
Do you urge for a 223-millimetre ground clearance? Does your petrol-fuelled heart flutter at the possibilities of a 35-degree approach angle, 22-degree breakover limit and a 22-degree departure angle? Is the iconic Jeep front grille something you want to see in your life on a daily basis?
If any of these things float your fancy, you’re probably in the market for a Jeep. Once you’ve decided on the model that’s right for you, give Alliance Leasing a call. We’ll set you up with a novated lease, helping you to cut 10 per cent off the dealership price through salary packaging.
