The Latest on the 2017 Jeep Wrangler

The Jeep Wrangler has seen some changes over the past couple of years, but it sounds like the 2017 model is going to be the most revamped version of the vehicle to date! Therefore, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Jeep enthusiasts are constantly waiting for every bit of fresh news regarding the SUV. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled all of this news below.

_As always, we should take some of these rumblings with a grain of salt, as they’re truly just speculation. Meanwhile, other whispers have practically been confirmed, so it’s certainly a fluid situation. Regardless, it’s fun to take a look at what may (and what may not) be coming to the Wrangler line. The next time you’re seeking a * Jeep Wrangler for sale in Miami * , keep this guide in the back of your mind. You may be inclined to hold off for the 2017 Wrangler… _

The latest bit of news pertaining to the 2017 Jeep Wrangler is in regards to the vehicle’s roof. The recognizable soft top will reportedly be replaced by “removable soft panels over the substructure,” AllPar.com reported (via Andrew Wendler of CarAndDriver.com ). The traditional sports bar will also be gone, with an “integrated substructure, likely with at least four stressed mounting points” taking its place. Another addition will be built-in grab handles, which AllPar.com also spotted in the Wrangler.

As Wendler writes, the retirement of the soft top and sports bar will be a disappointment to many Jeep enthusiasts (although, the writer predicts that Jeep will offer some sort of removable top that meshes with the updated structure, as well as removable doors). However, the elimination of the parts wasn’t an impulse decision by the brand. Instead, it had more to do with Jeep’s plan for the future of the vehicle.

The brand is trying to adapt and optimize the body of the Wrangler for “maximum torsional rigidity,” with an aluminum body being a possibility (we’ll get to that later). Furthermore, Wendler wonders if the company may be looking to remove some weight from the top assembly, thus allowing for less lower-body structural reinforcements. This will have a vicarious effect on fuel economy and the vehicle’s center of gravity.

The changes may also be in anticipation of the inevitable mandates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which may require a fixed A-pillar (as Wendler explains, there’s currently a “convertible exception” that allows open-top cars to “resist less force” than other vehicles).

It was previously reported that the 2017 Wrangler would be made of aluminum, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne telling Davey G. Johnson of CarAndDriver.com that a “large portion” of the four-wheeler would be composed of the light metal. Some suspect that the hood, tailgate and doors could be made of aluminum, while others predict an aluminum body on a steel frame. Regardless, the company is confident the design will be a success.

“We’ve run the numbers and we’ve simulated mileage and the impact,” said Marchionne. “Because of the difference in cost—not just of the material but the actual assembly process—I think we can do almost as well without doing it all-aluminum. I think we can get very close.”

Now, there’s no reason for Jeep fans to be nervous. As CarAndDriver.com’s Alexander Stoklosa notes, the 2017 Wrangler “will keep its solid front and rear axles (which should be a relief to enthusiasts, as the axels had been thrown out on other Jeep models), four-wheel drive, and body-on-frame construction.” Phew, that’s good news.

As Joe Lorio of CarAndDriver.com notes, the one feature that will be missing is the “upright, folding windshield,” with a “fixed unit with greater rake” taking its place. While this feature isn’t especially popular or well-known, Lorio opines that the ability to fold down the windshield is “one of the things that makes the Wrangler unique.” The taillight design is also expected to be revamped.

Among the other expected changes are a “smaller, turbocharged engine” that will replace the current 3.6-liter V6 engine, although AllPar.com predicts that a V6 could come standard. This move is with an eye towards fuel efficiency, a spec that the company has prioritized in the 2017 Wrangler. The brand will also be looking to upgrade the vehicle’s eight-speed automatic transmission. The bumpers (which, as Wendler writes, is a positive when it comes to “aftermarket components” like winches and brush bars), tailgate design, and 5×5 wheel bolt pattern are expected to stick around, although there are whispers that the “X pattern taillights” from the Jeep Renegade could be included on the exterior.

AllPar.com wonders if the company will look to make their new vehicle more aerodynamic, which would result in a slanted windshield. Regardless, the website has focused in on an apparent patent for a flip-up rear window, and the writers believe it’d be a perfect fit for the Wrangler. The design would allow for easier loading and unloading, and rooftop struts would allow the window to be clipped and secure. This design could present a number of issues (particularly, the ability of exhaust fumes and mud to enter the Jeep), but the website also acknowledges that it’d be a desirable feature for many consumers.

AllPar also guesses that the brand could include independent suspensions, despite the news that solid axels (which have proven to be both easy to modify and cost-effective) will be sticking around. Using an independent suspension could help the vehicle’s stability, while also putting an end to the dreaded “death wobble.” If the company were to go this route, they could eye the Ram Power Wagon’s suspension system.

Inside, many are expecting a more spacious interior and a sufficient amount of cargo room. Features that are expected to carry over from previous models include a 12-volt power outlet and RDS audio system (with the ability to read MP3). The electronic traction control with antilock brakes will stick around, as will the immobilizer, stability controls, and bucket seats.

Perhaps one of the most exciting rumors is via AllPar.com, which predicts that the Wrangler could include a diesel model. It seems a bit random, but it makes sense when you consider the brand’s dedication to improving fuel efficiency. If that was the case, it would likely be an engine from the Fiat four-cylinder diesel (which could reach 424 horsepower), the Alfa Romeo 2.2, or the VM 2.8-liter I4 engine. If this rumor comes to fruition, a hybrid version would be expected a year or two later.

All pretty exciting news, right? As we previously mentioned, we wouldn’t completely count out all of these things happening. However, some of these “rumors” have essentially already been confirmed. The others? Well, I’ve always been the under the impression that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait some time to get behind the wheel of a 2017 Jeep Wrangler, but that shouldn’t stop you from pursuing any of the brand’s many other innovative and rugged vehicles. If you’re in the market, head down to Miami Lakes Automall. You’ll find a diverse selection of Jeeps, and the helpful staff can hook you up with your perfect vehicle in no time!

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