While Jeep might have evolved over the years, it’s never lost sight of the fact it built its foundations on producing capable 4x4s.
And the model which showcases this ideology in its purest form is the rugged Wrangler – the Jeep that harks back to this American firm’s past.
But while the Wrangler name might not have been utilised until the 1980s, its history dates back much further than that.
Here’s a history to the Jeep Wranger....
The Original Willys Jeep
Jeep’s history dates back to World War II when Willys-Overland was tasked with producing a capable four-wheel-drive model that could handle all kinds of terrain. It arrived in 1941, and helped significantly with the U.S. military’s efforts. It was that model’s round headlights and slotted grille that would appear on Jeeps for decades to come.
Following the end of war, it would become a model available to the public, with its reliability and easy-to-fix nature making it an instant hit.
The CJ years
Willys-Overland would be bought by Kaiser Motors in 1953, and a year later the model would change to become known as the CJ – and it would soon become known as a ‘Jeep’, rather than just a nickname. Various models would follow over the next three decades – the CJ-5, CJ-6 and CJ-7, for example, and would become more road-focussed throughout the years, though with no less capability away from the tarmac.
The Wrangler is born
So while the Wrangler might be legendary with Jeep enthusiasts, it wasn’t actually given this name until 1987. This first model was interestingly designed with on-road manners in mind first, and with its square headlights (the only Wrangler to feature these), it wasn’t quite as desirable as many hoped at the time.
Round headlights return
Probably the model best-known as being a ‘Wrangler’ was the generation introduced in 1997 that saw the popular round headlights being returned to the front of the car.
Despite the styling and suspension changes, it was really more of an update than it was an all-new generation. This most certainly didn’t stop its appeal, though.
The safer and larger model
The first of the more ‘modern’ Wranglers was the 2007 model, which is known as the ‘JK’. It was the first Wrangler you could choose in a long wheelbase four-door form, though the more iconic two-door model continued as well.
It offered more in the way of creature comforts and safety, and was a proven hit that would remain in production until 2018, by which time it was just a bit too ‘backward’ for many.
The techier, efficient Wrangler
By the time the new Wrangler arrived in showrooms in 2019, a lot had changed from when the previous car was launched. There’s now a much greater focus on technology, safety and efficiency and this Jeep has improved noticeably in all of these areas.
Featuring new engines, a new 8.4-inch touchscreen and range of safety kit, this Wrangler is undoubtedly the most modern yet.
While not confirmed for the UK yet, it’s a big step forward for the Wrangler and shows this model is truly future proof.
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