A Look at the 2016 Jeep Wrangler Limited Edition Models
The * 2016 Jeep Wrangler * model lineup is vast this year. Not only does it have the standard Wrangler trims, but there are also six limited edition models out for 2016: the Willys Wheeler, Black Bear, Freedom, 7th Anniversary, Backcountry, and Rubicon Hard Rock. Each limited edition brings something unique to the Wrangler lineup, and each one has key attributes that provide a distinctive nature for each model. Whether these characteristics are performance-enhancing or simply aesthetic, they contribute to the unique personality of each new Wrangler.
Let’s jump in and take a look at some of the key features that define these six unique limited edition Wranglers.
Willys Wheeler
The first Jeep on our list is the Willys Wheeler. Need I say more?
This Jeep has been released to pay homage to the original Willys that bombed through mud and sand during WWII. As such, it has features to help provide it with that classic feel.
The first thing you’ll notice is the Willys badging. WILLYS decals sit proudly on the hood in black satin, no doubt to remind everyone on the road what Willys’ company contributed to this country back in WWII. This honorary decal sets it apart from the rest of the lineup, and is also accompanied by the standard Jeep Trail Rated off-road kit, which includes burly tow straps, D-rings, heavy-duty gloves and a Jeep brand bag. Half doors are also available, and take the classic look of this vehicle even further. In order to complete the look, plastic windows are inserted for the colder months.
In WWII, the Jeeps wouldn’t do well on good looks alone. Which is why the Willys edition also has a couple of performance enhancing components. Command-Trac 4×4 system is on board and there to provide you with exceptional control under hazardous conditions.
Don’t worry about getting stuck, either, because even if 4×4 fails you, the Trac-Lok differential has got your back. In a nutshell, what it does is automatically transfer power from a wheel that can’t grab traction to a wheel that can. This allows the wheel with a firm grip on the ground to power you out of the mud, sand, or whatever else you might be stuck in.
The Willys Wheeler comes in at a starting MSRP of $28,195, and provides a way for you to help keep the spirit of Willys MB alive.
Black Bear
The 2016 Wrangler Black Bear takes the off-roading world to the next level with its aesthetic and performance-enhancing hallmarks. The first thing you’ll notice on the hood is a decal of the famous Black Bear Trail Pass in Telluride, Colorado. The decal is in the shape of a topographical map, with a red line outlining the trail.
Another aspect you’ll notice is the addition of Mopar rock rails. These rock rails are constructed of heavy gauge steel tubing, which means they just aren’t for show. Thanks to the ability to protect the rocker panel and lower body, while resisting twisting when going over boulders and rocks, they allow the Black Bear to take on the toughest of trails. Naturally, this is also coupled with Jeep’s Trail Rated badging, meaning it has much more than just rock rails for off-roading equipment.
The Black Bear also has a Connectivity Group, along with a Power and Convenience Group. The Connectivity Group provides the Black Bear with aspects that make your life more practical. Tire Pressure Monitoring will tell you if you are losing air after going over a rough patch of rocks, and the Electronic Vehicle Information Center can update you on other aspects. Connect Voice Command allows you to talk on your phone virtually hands-free with a voice-activated Bluetooth system.
Finally, the Power and Convenience group is about making your life inside the Black Bear easier. It adds things like power locks, keyless entry, and power front windows, along with power heated exterior mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a reading lamp. Need I explain how the last two are helpful?
This rock-crawling prince has a starting MSRP of $28,790, and will get you through the trails just fine.
Freedom
The Freedom Edition Wrangler has primarily aesthetic changes and is one of the most basic ones in this lineup. It comes equipped with the same optional groups as the Black Bear, but instead features a premium soft top with Oscar Mike badging.
The soft top sets the Freedom Edition Wrangler apart from the other ones in the lineup thanks to its distinctive look. It’s also made of acrylic, so the days of constantly finding holes in the soft-tops are over.
Completing the Freedom Edition’s distinctive look, the Oscar Mike badging is also quite obvious and adds to the name of the Freedom Edition, seeing as in the military phonetic alphabet “O” stands for Oscar and “M” stands for Mike. When put together, it translates to “On the Move,” showing that this Wrangler has no intention of sitting idly in a garage.
It’s only slightly more expensive that the Black Bear at $29,790. But keep in mind, these are only the distinctive attributes of each limited edition model; there are still many more standard ones that have been left out.
75th Anniversary
The 75th Anniversary Edition Wrangler celebrates the past 75 years in Jeep history, and was therefore just recently released. With this limited edition, it’s all about the badging and Jeep nailed it. It has distinctive 75th Anniversary Edition details, which identifies it as one of the limited number produced. The badge has a silhouette of the original Willys MB, with 1941 next to it, which was the first year of production.
This badge is slapped on a unique 75th Anniversary Edition color. The color is Jeep’s “Sarge” green paint, celebrating Jeep’s original paint job. This is the only Jeep model that will have this green color, along with the bronze accents that run over the front grille, headlamp rings, and front and rear bumpers.
The 75th Anniversary Edition has a starting MSRP of $34,575 and gets you an iconic vehicle celebrating Jeep’s rich past.
Backcountry
Just like the Black Bear, the Backcountry is all about playing in the woods. It features the same type of off-road rock rails and the Connectivity Group, but has a few twists the Black Bear doesn’t have, including off-road bumpers and BFGoodrich K02 tires. These unique off-road bumpers are made from steel and offer improved clearance while approaching obstacles on the trail. Also, it’s winch-capable and includes integrated fog lamps.
For anyone who loves off-roading, these BFGoodrich K02 Tires are a thing of beauty. They are massive, especially when compared to the standard tires found on the Wrangler and are meant for withstanding the destructive nature of off-road trails, which is why they are rated for all-terrain duty.
There is also an abstract design splashed in front of the door and the body color is available in a purple paint that’s akin to Dodge’s Plum Crazy color. It has a starting MSRP of $34,595, but it still isn’t the king of this lineup.
Rubicon Hard Rock
It’s no surprise that the Rubicon Hard Rock edition comes in at the highest starting MSRP of $37,895. The Rubicon has become a legend in it’s own right for being the most capable off-roading Jeep ever, which is why all its key features revolve around that. The Rubicon Hard Rock has the best of the best, which means a power dome hood with air vents to enhance engine performance and cooling, Jeep’s Rock-Trac 4×4, a Tru-Lok mechanical rear differential locker, and a premium sound system.
The Rock-Trac 4×4 is available exclusively on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Rubicon, and provides the best off-road 4×4 system possible. It gives the driver a 4:1 low-gear ratio with a low crawl speed, and increased torque for climbing over obstacles. Completing the off-road aspects, the Tru-Lok mechanical locker comes paired to the famous Dana 44 rear axle to offer supreme off-road capability and enhance performance in slippery conditions.
What does the premium Alpine sound system with four 6.5-inch speakers, two weather-resistant tweeters, and an all-weather subwoofer have to do with off-roading capability? Everything, of course. You can’t tell me you don’t have an off-roading playlist prepared on your phone or iPod that won’t blare out of those speakers.
Six different limited edition models with six distinctive purposes. Some are there to celebrate the past, others want to be the best off-roading machine possible. Whatever the purpose is, each of these models are equipped with Jeep’s high-quality standard features, and each one will provide a dependable, rugged, and long-lasting driving experience.
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