New 2021 Jeep Wrangler models have exciting new features that deliver improved performance for enthusiasts of the trail. Models available now boast incredible off-road prowess that you can only find at the
Jeep dealer near you, Spirit CDJR. While the Wrangler has always been an incredible option, this year has brought even more excitement to the market. Jeep has come out with the all-new 2021 Jeep Rubicon 392 built with the much-anticipated V8 HEMI engine, the 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4XE hybrid with brawn and driving range that will impress any Jeep lover, and the awe-inspiring Magneto Concept Jeep revealed at the Easter Jeep Safari this year. Things are changing in the Wrangler lineup, and the changes are looking good.
Jeep Rubicon 392
Jeep is calling the new 2021 Rubicon 392 the “quickest, most powerful Wrangler” with a much-anticipated 6.4-liter V8 HEMI under the hood that will deliver a jaw-dropping 470 horsepower with 470 lb-ft of torque. Even more impressive are stats for speed. The Wrangler is not known for its aerodynamic qualities, but the Rubicon 392 can go from zero to 60 in only 4.5 seconds. That kind of speed is on par with serious muscle cars like the Chevy Camaro and Corvette, the 2021 Audi A4, and even most models of the new 2021 Mustang Mach-E. Even though most Jeep Rubicon buyers are likely to be more concerned about trail capability and off-road prowess, knowing the power for speed is there is a big bonus.
The throaty power of this engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission which works in tandem with the Selec-Trac full-time active transfer case with incredible low-range gear ratios. With low-range gearing at 2.72:1, rock crawling and tricky inclines on trails are easily conquered, especially with 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels fitted with 33-inch mud-terrain tires to help utilize the engine’s torque. Combine all this capability with the electronic sway bar disconnect, and articulation on those rocky slopes opens up trail riding with new ranges of potential. The stiffer body and rear anti-roll bar mean this Wrangler provides more stability while you travel both on and off the trail.
Upgraded FOX aluminum-bodied 2-inch diameter shocks improve handling with more controlled dampening, and the Hydro-Guide Induction system installed in the Rubicon 392’s hood delivers cool air to the engine even when fording water up to 30 inches. This ingenious system can separate out up to 15 gallons of water per minute to keep your engine intake dry regardless of mud, ice, or rain. Additional performance from the dual exhaust moderates the sound while also automatically minimizing back pressure under large loads or when engaging high RPMs, so you can still get the benefit of the engine’s power.
With all of this power, Jeep had to deliver on looks to match. Black leather embroidered in custom bronze stitching is matched to the bronze accents on the exterior in the wheels and tow hooks. Seat bolsters keep passengers secure on rough terrain, and the Alpine stereo system enhances your trail riding with spectacular sound. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 comes with the Uconnect 4C NAV infotainment system accessed through an 8.4-inch touchscreen where you can also take advantage of Jeep Off-Road Pages for navigating the backcountry. Plus, an available forward-facing TrailCam Off-Road camera gives you a view of what you can’t see below your front bumper so you can avoid trouble ahead. When behind the wheel of this Wrangler, there is nothing you can't handle.
2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Now you can drive your Wrangler without the guilt of the high cost of gas power when you get the new 2021 Wrangler 4xe, Jeep’s plug-in hybrid that features all the capability Jeep owners expect. Enjoy the freedom of owning a Jeep hybrid with a fuel efficiency of 49 MPGe, and a driving range of up to 370 miles on a single charge. Consider how amazing that efficiency will feel with 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque.
All that might makes the 4xe a powerhouse of trail-conquering capability that can also achieve speeds of zero to 60 in six seconds. E-Selec driving modes ensure you can make the most of your engine’s charge for the best performance with the most range. For example, in electric mode, you can creep through trails in virtual silence for up to 21 miles using only the electric motors with zero emissions, even at highway speeds.
Regenerative braking captures power from deceleration and braking to recharge the battery while you drive, especially in the city with stop-and-go traffic. Use the Max Regeneration feature to slow your Wrangler 4xe without the brake pedal for even more power regeneration. For home charging, Jeep offers its own charger you can install where you park, capable of fully charging your Wrangler 4xe in about two hours with Level II capability. It is also able to charge using a standard three-pronged home outlet (aka Level I), which makes charging anywhere easy.
The 2021 Wrangler 4xe comes in three trims - the Sahara, Rubicon, or High Altitude - all of which come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the option of adding WiFi. Sahara models boast standard 20-inch wheels, and black leather seats, and interior details. The Rubicon upgrades with 33-inch tires, a full-time transfer case with a locking differential, and surf blue accents in exterior paint details and interior stitching. The High Altitude models feature quilted leather seats and detailing, body-color fender flares, and the upgraded Alpine stereo system with nine speakers. This Wrangler really is a mix of technology, comfort, and efficiency.
Magneto Wrangler Concept
Every year Jeep hosts the Easter Jeep Safari event in Moab, Utah, where the brand reveals upcoming concept vehicles. It’s a fun gathering for Jeep enthusiasts to get excited about what the future holds for potential new models. This year, Jeep showed off its new Magneto Concept based on a 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon built with a fully electric motor. In a complete departure from any other EV model currently on the market, Jeep is taking the Magneto into uncharted territory with a six-speed manual transmission. Most EVs are paired to a continuously variable transmission, but part of the fun of a trail is mastering the challenge of low gears at a crawl. So, Jeep wanted to mimic the feel of a gas-powered engine while harnessing the impressive power of an electric engine.
Part of the system that changes up the recapture of energy comes from using the clutch to regenerate the battery as opposed to just the standard regenerative braking in most EVs. While the engine acts like a gas-powered vehicle, the clutch actually allows you to hold the brakes to shift into a lower gear if you happen to stall so you can get going again, even on a slope.
With a projected performance of up to 285 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, the fully electric engine matches the power of the Wrangler’s Pentastar V6 and even improves upon its torque with an extra 13 lb-ft of twist. One thing the electric motor has that a gas-powered engine doesn’t: virtually silent operation for a stealthy drive in the wild. Add to that a stunning crawl capability that allows for super-slow speeds of five feet per minute, and you have a superior trail-conquering machine.
Each of the four lithium-ion batteries that power the engine is strategically placed for balancing the weight of the wheels for the best performance, making up for parts no longer needed while still making the Jeep stable on the trail. Don’t worry about water fording with this electric model, either. Jeep covered all the electronics in water-proof encasements to allow for that 30-inch water fording all Wrangler drivers have come to expect. Of course, heavy-duty skid plates protect the undercarriage from damage while you climb over anything you dare while you are off-road.
Styling details match those of the Rubicon this year with surf-blue accents, though it got a bright white exterior offset by royal blue and black leather seats with sapphire inserts. The iconic seven-slot grille gets its own lighting for an electric flair, though it shares the hood scoop of the Rubicon 392. A lift kit, black metallic wheels, and 35-inch mud-terrain tires make this concept Jeep a true billy goat with better ground clearance and more protection from the custom roll cage, rock rails, and steel bumpers provide the toughness to handle the roughest terrain. It’s uncertain whether or not the Magneto Concept will become a future Jeep model, but the possibility of a fully electric Jeep opens up opportunities trail riders have never seen.
Always Evolving
While the Wrangler has always had a place in the hearts of many drivers, Jeep is striving to gain even more of the market with these excellent new offerings. The Rubicon 392 is giving many buyers something they have wanted for years, while the 4xe and Magneto concept are showing buyers what they didn't know they wanted or could have. This has been an exciting year for the Jeep Wrangler, and we can't wait to see where this model goes next. To test drive the latest and greatest 2021 Wrangler models, visit Spirit CDJR now.
