Speaking of Jeep, I believe many people know this brand because it is rich in hardcore off-road vehicles. Speaking of the Jeep Wrangler, I believe that from the elderly in their eighties to the children in their teens, they can imagine what it looks like in their minds. The simple and unmistakable appearance is very easy to remember, rugged and durable, able to cope with all kinds of road conditions, super adaptable, and powerful performance makes people fascinated. It is full of legends and has been destined for an extraordinary life since its birth. Let's step into the world of Wrangler and take a look at its development.
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Prototype four-wheeler
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On the eve of World War II, the U.S. Army sought a light four-wheel drive reconnaissance vehicle from domestic automakers that could meet a number of military needs, and needed better handling, a stronger and more reliable body, and safer characteristics to replace the old motorcycles and Ford Model T during World War I, and formulated standard specifications for military vehicles. In July 1940, the Army officially invited 135 American automakers to participate in the bidding, and put forward a request: to deliver the first prototype within 49 days, and complete 70 test vehicles within 75 days.
With such urgent and demanding requirements, only the proposals of Bantam, Willys Outlander and Ford fit the bill. Bantam was the first company to come up with blueprints and prototypes, so Bantam won the bid and started production of 70 test cars. However, too many problems arose during actual vehicle tests, which seriously affected the progress of the project. The military had to recall Willis and Ford, and make improvements and adjustments to the prototype design, producing the Quad and Pygmy prototypes, respectively, and eventually Willis's Quad was chosen.
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嘛
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In fact, the original Willis Quad was not favored by the military, because the overall weight exceeded the military's specifications. However, it was equipped with a powerful engine, which unexpectedly met the military's requirements for a prototype. At the time of mass production, Willis changed the name of the Quad to MA (MA: "M" is the military abbreviation, "A" is the model), but the MA was not mass-produced. In March 1941, Willis produced just over 1,500 for the military. The real mass-produced version is the MA modified MB.
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MB
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The MB has been optimized for body weight, reducing it by about 240 pounds. The model features a nine-groove grille technology that is stamped in one piece, and is still the most obvious signature feature of Jeep products. It has also improved some process problems, greatly reduced the manufacturing cost of the whole vehicle, and greatly increased the production volume. Because production could not keep up with the needs of the military, Ford was also authorized to use MB drawings and built a Ford version of the MB, codenamed GPW. It is basically the same as MB, and the production quantity is not small. During World War II, the two companies produced a total of 643,000 vehicles, making it the most popular model for American GIs, serving in the military for 19 years.
1944
The first civilian jeep, the CJ series
In 1944, before the war was over, Willis was already considering designing a jeep for the civilian market after the war. As a result, the CJ-1 and CJ-2 were born, but they were only test cars and were not really mass-produced. Aside from the name, it's no different from MB. Willis realized that as a civilian model, it needed to be equipped with more practical features.
In 1945, the first civilian Jeep CJ-2A was born, which looked more like the civilian version of the MB, and the main difference between the MB and the CJ-2A was the front grille, the former had nine grille slots, and the latter had seven grille slots. The car also features a doorless design, side-mounted tires, larger headlights, and an external fuel tank cap. As a model developed from a military vehicle, the rugged nature of the CJ-2A made it one of the most popular models between 1945 and 1949, with 215,000 units sold.
The 1949 CJ-3A was a redesigned version of the CJ-2A and the last CJ model to feature a low hood. The CJ-3A is very similar to its predecessor, but with a one-piece front windshield and retains the original side-mounted L-shaped four-cylinder engine with upgraded axles. In addition, the CJ-3A also has agricultural models, which are equipped with many agricultural equipment, such as hydraulic lifts, engine limiters, towing hooks, propeller shaft protection plates, and load-bearing springs.
The CJ-3B went public in 1953, but in the same year Kaiser acquired Willis-Overland Motors for $60 million. It raised the front grille and hood, got a new four-cylinder engine, and was mated to a four-wheel drive manual transmission. In terms of mechanical properties, the CJ-3B has been further improved. The car has also been licensed to a number of international manufacturers, including Japan's Mitsubishi and India's Mahindra. The CJ-3B was subdivided into various versions for sale. The Indian version of the CJ-3B, produced by Mahindra, was not officially discontinued until 2010.
In 1955, the CJ-5 was introduced, a modification of the M-38A1 used in the Korean War, the CJ-5 increased the wheelbase and height, and improvements in the engine, axles, transmission, and seat comfort led to a lot of interest in off-road vehicles like the CJ-5. In the years that followed, Caesars continued to modify the model, but the appearance of this model lasted until 1976. In 1965, the CJ-5 introduced a new V6 engine, which was the first time that the Jeep CJ tried to carry a V6 engine, which could reach a maximum power of 155 horsepower.
The CJ-6 solves the problem of small interior space in the early CJ series, and the appearance remains the same, but the wheelbase is lengthened, and the loading space is comparable to that of a small truck, but although it is spacious, the sales volume is not satisfactory, so the production volume is not high.
With the rapid growth of the Jeep brand, the products have also become more diversified and began to be sold overseas. American Automotive Corporation (AMC) was bullish on Jeep's prospects and acquired it from Kaiser in 1970. AMC's first move after acquiring Jeep was to distinguish between civilian and military products in order to better develop civilian models. In 1976, AM introduced the CJ-7, the first major facelift of the CJ series, equipped with an automatic transmission and a -Trac full-time four-wheel drive system, and introduced two different versions of the model.
The version comes with a chrome grille, bumpers, wheel covers, leather seats, and high-end interior panels, and the bonnet is painted in a different color from the body, a term that represents the high-end level of the Jeep model.
It's a powerful, full-featured model with oversized tires, roll beams, a low-speed gear, and a speed limit differential. Since its introduction in 1976, it still has an old-school V6 engine. It wasn't until 1977 that AMC equipped the model with a new 5.0L V8 engine. The CJ-7 series sold more than 400,000 units in its 10 years of service, making it the most successful model in the history of Jeep CJ.
In the following decade, AMC also launched the CJ-8 and CJ-10 pickup series, but their sales were not as good as the CJ-7, and sales were surprisingly low, and by 1986, the total production of the two models was only 30,000 units.
1986-1997
The first Jeep Wrangler is born
In 1986, AMC officially launched the Wrangler YJ series at the Chicago Auto Show. In terms of design, the Wrangler YJ retains CJ's classic look, but with a lower center of gravity, better handling, and a more comfortable interior design. At the same time, classic elements such as the flip-up windshield and removable doors are still retained. Unlike CJ's round headlights, YJ's square headlight design is also a distinctive feature.
In terms of power, the YJ is equipped with two engines, 2.5L inline 4-cylinder and 4.2-liter inline 6-cylinder, both of which have excellent low-speed torque performance. The latter was replaced in 1991 by a direct-injection engine with a maximum power of 180 hp, which was even more powerful. In 1992, in order to install the rear seat belts, the anti-roll bumper was extended a little further and ABS was included in the optional configuration table. The Wrangler was an instant success, but it didn't last long, and a year after the Wrangler went public, Chrysler acquired the American Automotive Company (AMC) on August 5, 1987, and Jeep was merged into the Jeep division of the Chrysler Group, which opened a new era in Jeep's history.
1997-2006
2nd generation Jeep Wrangler
After a decade of success in the first generation of the Wrangler, in 1997 the Chrysler Group gave the Wrangler YJ a facelift with the launch of the TJ series, which remained in service until 2006 as a more affordable off-road vehicle. In terms of appearance, it returns to the most traditional round headlight design, which is also a classic feature of the Wrangler. 80% of the vehicle's components have been redesigned with more modern technology to make each component lightweight and strong. The Wrangler has also entered a new period of development.
The TJ is powered by 2.4-liter I4, 2.5-liter I4, and 4.0-liter I6 engines. Engineers introduced all-new -Coil suspension to the TJ to address the Wrangler's lack of comfort. It replaces the leaf spring suspension of the old model and improves the comfort of the vehicle. At the same time, the new suspension system increases the vehicle's ground clearance, increases the approach and departure angles, and enhances off-road performance.
In 2003, Jeep launched a fully equipped and powerful off-road model, the Trail. The car takes its name from a legendary off-road trail, the famous American Trail. This model is built for off-road enthusiasts. The front and rear axles feature Dana 44 axles and feature key-lock differentials, a 4:1 Rock-Trac transfer case, rear disc brakes, chassis guards, and a host of options never used on Jeep models.
In 2004 and 2005, Jeep also launched two models, the TJ and TJ7, with a wheelbase 250mm longer than the TJ, equipped with a 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and Trac all-wheel drive system, and the off-road ability is comparable to that of the TJ.
2007-2018
3rd generation Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler JK series was launched in 2007, and initially there were only two models, the Wrangler and the Wrangler series, while the Wrangler series included three models: the Wrangler X, the Wrangler and the Wrangler, and these models were derived from more versions, such as the Polar Limited Edition, Special Edition, Moab Special Edition, Anniversary Edition, etc.
Once again, the Wrangler JK series has been greatly improved. Both the exterior and interior design of the new car have become more contemporary, while the new chassis and frame bring better handling, safety and improved engine economy. Solid axles, removable doors, exposed hinges, reversible front windows and an innovative removable and folding roof are the essence of the Wrangler series to this day.
It is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 engine, a 3.8-liter EGH V6 engine, and a 2.8T RA 428 diesel engine, while a six-speed manual transmission is a variable configuration, and a four-speed automatic transmission is optional.
2019
Fourth-generation Jeep Wrangler
The new generation of the Wrangler will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November this year, and the power is expected to be added to the hybrid version, and Mike believes that if the pickup version is to be mass-produced, it should be at least after the regular Wrangler starts production.
The new generation of Wrangler features all-aluminum body panels to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency, and it is expected that the new Wrangler will have some minor changes in appearance, such as the use of LED headlight clusters, which will be more stylish visually.
In terms of power, the new Wrangler will be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, while an upgraded 3.6-liter V6 engine will also be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Elsewhere, the car will also be offered with a 3.0T diesel engine.
After more than 70 years of evolution, Jeep Wrangler has inherited the essence of military off-road vehicles, not blindly following the trend, Wrangler still insists on using non-load-bearing body, in the case of more off-road vehicles emphasizing comfort, still insists on putting off-road performance first, sticking to its own principles, not getting lost in the market, not compromising on sales. This is precisely the most authentic character of the off-road vehicle. Not abandoning and not giving up the off-road essence is the character that Jeep should show, and it is the only reason why car fans are obsessed with Wrangler. Born for the extraordinary, coming for conquest, and walking for excellence, this is the true off-road spirit, and this spirit, Wrangler has.
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