The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is hitting the dealerships now, but unless you take the test drive, you may not immediately notice the difference from the 2011. *The 2012 Wrangler is now powered by the aluminum block 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6*and that alone is an improvement worth noting. *Horsepower? *40% more, now at 285 hp. *Torque? *10% [...]
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is hitting the dealerships now, but unless you take the test drive, you may not immediately notice the difference from the 2011. *The 2012 Wrangler is now powered by the aluminum block 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6*and that alone is an improvement worth noting. *Horsepower? *40% more, now at 285 hp. *Torque? *10% more, now at 260 lb.-ft. * Match this great powerplant with either the A580 5-speed Automatic or the NSG 370 6-speed Manual and the result is summed up in one word:*Fun…simply put, the power made the 2012 Wrangler fun to drive.
For more photos and more info,*DISCUSS this article*on the RockCrawler.com Forums!
I had the opportunity to test drive the 2012 Wrangler in and around the Tillamook State Forest outside Portland OR. * Tillimook has wineries and cheese as far as you can see…and plenty of twisty winding roads to get around. *The Pentastar V-6 powers well up the the hills and through the turns. *The 4-door Sahara hard top we were driving handled well, though we could get the inside rear tire to unload on hard cornering (the ABS would trigger). *Brake fade was present, but not unnerving. *Passing (50mph to 90+mph…sshhhh) was admirable. Our Pentastar V-6 was paired with a the A580 5-speed Automatic and it shifted precisely. *Downshifts under quick power changes happened promptly…none of that irritating hesitation. *Braking (60 to 0) was straight and controlled, even the transition from the pavement to the gravel shoulder was barely*noticeable.
I’ll be the first to admit I want to experience that power across Vail Pass on I-70…with a 3500# camper in tow. *Tillimook was fun, but the grades were not steep enough or long enough to truly push the Pentastar. *I’d also be curious on decent, how the transmission gearing holds back the trailer weight.
Offroad, it’s a Jeep. *For most terrain, you point, it goes. *’Nuf said. *Our offroad testing opportunity was understandably limited, since the Pentastar power is most appreciated on the road. *We had the opportunity (under Jeep Jamboree handlers) to run a short and simple off-road course. *The Pentastar V-6 makes nice steady power, and the throttle is easy to control. *My first run was with an A580 5-speed Automatic and one of the Jeep Jamboree spotters wondered if i had the 6-speed manual…climbing power was smooth. *Second run was with the NSG 370 6-speed Manual and I barely touched the throttle the entire climb (and it if hadn’t been for traffic, I wouldn’t have needed the clutch either) *The Pentastar V-6 lugs down sufficiently and the fuel injection system keeps things running.
Inside, you’ll notice few differences from the already improved 2011 models. * Jeep has conveniently added storage points in the rear deck for the hardware used to hold the factory hard top in position. *(yet, the two hand-screws for the t-tops still don’t have a storage spot…) *Road noise with the full hard top was very acceptable. *A few other factors inside tie the iconic Jeep form together.
Outside, the side and rear window sizes are increased helps reduce those irritating c-pillar blind points. *The factory hard top and flares are available as color-matched on the Sahara and Rubicon models. *And check out the windshield…yes, it’s the little things…
Honestly, no one notices when a design works cleanly…but everyone notices when a design fails to come full circle. *Nothing jumped out at me as being out of place in the design and aesthetics. *Hey, no one wants an ugly truck.
Mechanically, the axle ratios are now available in 3.21, 3.73 and 4.10. *73:1 crawl ratio with an appropriately equipped Rubicon model. * 3500# max towing capabilities. *The alternator is mounted HIGH on the engine to keep it dry. *Equal length exhaust and 20% less backpressure for smooth flow and quiet sound.
Simply put, I’m a fan. *The “no replacement for displacement, gota have a Hemi” crowd will be mostly silenced. *Jeep has completed the circle with the Pentastar V-6 and has pushed the Wrangler from off-road capable, on-road acceptable into a truly enjoyable off- AND on-road experience.
Final note: *The approximate average age of a Wrangler Unlimited owner is 44. *Buyers are 75% male. *60% have college degrees. *As a 44yo male with a college degree, *I guess it’s time to go shopping!
For more photos and more info,*DISCUSS this article*on the RockCrawler.com Forums!
Link
The 2012 Jeep Wrangler is hitting the dealerships now, but unless you take the test drive, you may not immediately notice the difference from the 2011. *The 2012 Wrangler is now powered by the aluminum block 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6*and that alone is an improvement worth noting. *Horsepower? *40% more, now at 285 hp. *Torque? *10% more, now at 260 lb.-ft. * Match this great powerplant with either the A580 5-speed Automatic or the NSG 370 6-speed Manual and the result is summed up in one word:*Fun…simply put, the power made the 2012 Wrangler fun to drive.For more photos and more info,*DISCUSS this article*on the RockCrawler.com Forums!
I had the opportunity to test drive the 2012 Wrangler in and around the Tillamook State Forest outside Portland OR. * Tillimook has wineries and cheese as far as you can see…and plenty of twisty winding roads to get around. *The Pentastar V-6 powers well up the the hills and through the turns. *The 4-door Sahara hard top we were driving handled well, though we could get the inside rear tire to unload on hard cornering (the ABS would trigger). *Brake fade was present, but not unnerving. *Passing (50mph to 90+mph…sshhhh) was admirable. Our Pentastar V-6 was paired with a the A580 5-speed Automatic and it shifted precisely. *Downshifts under quick power changes happened promptly…none of that irritating hesitation. *Braking (60 to 0) was straight and controlled, even the transition from the pavement to the gravel shoulder was barely*noticeable.
I’ll be the first to admit I want to experience that power across Vail Pass on I-70…with a 3500# camper in tow. *Tillimook was fun, but the grades were not steep enough or long enough to truly push the Pentastar. *I’d also be curious on decent, how the transmission gearing holds back the trailer weight.
Offroad, it’s a Jeep. *For most terrain, you point, it goes. *’Nuf said. *Our offroad testing opportunity was understandably limited, since the Pentastar power is most appreciated on the road. *We had the opportunity (under Jeep Jamboree handlers) to run a short and simple off-road course. *The Pentastar V-6 makes nice steady power, and the throttle is easy to control. *My first run was with an A580 5-speed Automatic and one of the Jeep Jamboree spotters wondered if i had the 6-speed manual…climbing power was smooth. *Second run was with the NSG 370 6-speed Manual and I barely touched the throttle the entire climb (and it if hadn’t been for traffic, I wouldn’t have needed the clutch either) *The Pentastar V-6 lugs down sufficiently and the fuel injection system keeps things running.
Inside, you’ll notice few differences from the already improved 2011 models. * Jeep has conveniently added storage points in the rear deck for the hardware used to hold the factory hard top in position. *(yet, the two hand-screws for the t-tops still don’t have a storage spot…) *Road noise with the full hard top was very acceptable. *A few other factors inside tie the iconic Jeep form together.
Outside, the side and rear window sizes are increased helps reduce those irritating c-pillar blind points. *The factory hard top and flares are available as color-matched on the Sahara and Rubicon models. *And check out the windshield…yes, it’s the little things…
Honestly, no one notices when a design works cleanly…but everyone notices when a design fails to come full circle. *Nothing jumped out at me as being out of place in the design and aesthetics. *Hey, no one wants an ugly truck.
Mechanically, the axle ratios are now available in 3.21, 3.73 and 4.10. *73:1 crawl ratio with an appropriately equipped Rubicon model. * 3500# max towing capabilities. *The alternator is mounted HIGH on the engine to keep it dry. *Equal length exhaust and 20% less backpressure for smooth flow and quiet sound.
Simply put, I’m a fan. *The “no replacement for displacement, gota have a Hemi” crowd will be mostly silenced. *Jeep has completed the circle with the Pentastar V-6 and has pushed the Wrangler from off-road capable, on-road acceptable into a truly enjoyable off- AND on-road experience.
Final note: *The approximate average age of a Wrangler Unlimited owner is 44. *Buyers are 75% male. *60% have college degrees. *As a 44yo male with a college degree, *I guess it’s time to go shopping!
For more photos and more info,*DISCUSS this article*on the RockCrawler.com Forums!
Link