When you hear someone mention Jeep, what do you imagine - rugged, off-road expeditions, a tough exterior and adventure? Or do you envision a smooth, comfortable ride? Of course, the Jeep lineup is full of modern SUVs; the Patriot, Liberty, Commander, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and of course, the Wrangler. The Jeep Wrangler is truly an American icon. But, it looks like changes are in store as soon as 2018.

Mike Manley, the President and CEO of the Jeep brand says, "The redesigned 2018 Jeep Wrangler will focus on fuel economy and weight reduction," he goes on to say, "There will be no compromises. It has to be its own architecture. When I think about the next-generation Wrangler at this moment in time, we are the benchmark, so I want to push the benchmark even further."

Jeep is working hard to be innovative and is seeking ideas to maintain their current niche in the marketplace - the new Wrangler is a contender for a diesel engine or even a smaller, 8 speed automatic.  There are rumors that the Wrangler may be designed with an aluminum exterior. At this point, none of these options have been confirmed, but all of them have been put on the table for discussion. It sounds as if the exterior design will stay the same.

It's an interesting debate - does the Jeep Wrangler stay true to its roots or does it conform to the ever changing standards put forth by the industry and society; better fuel economy for consumers, clean burning fuel for the environment, mainstream drivability, etc...?
 
It will be exciting to see the changes that come with the new Jeep Wrangler. It seems as though they have a tough challenge ahead of them - staying true to the original while making improvements to keep up with current standards.

For a great selection of Jeep vehicles, visit the Barnett Auto Group in White Bear Lake.

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