2012 Jeep Wrangler - First Test - video Dailymotion

Motor Trend tests out the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler along the famous Rubicon trail and at the track.

Transcript

00:00 You can't tell by looking at it, but the Jeep Wrangler has undergone a transformation.

00:13 The iconic shape remains, but Jeep has made huge improvements to the off-roader for 2012.

00:19 Jeep invited us to drive the 2012 Wrangler on the Rubicon, one of the hardest 4x4 trails

00:25 around, used almost exclusively by modified vehicles.

00:33 But of course, we also got to drive on two-lane asphalt roads.

00:39 The previous Iron Block 3.8-liter V6 put out 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque.

00:46 The all-aluminum Pentastar has 285 horses and 260 pound-feet.

00:51 And while the six-speed manual returns unchanged, the four-speed automatic has been ditched

00:56 in favor of the Grand Cherokee's five-speed automatic.

01:01 We started out with on-road driving.

01:03 The route included elevation changes and sudden large openings in traffic that gave us opportunities

01:08 to test out the Pentastar's acceleration.

01:11 The new engine offers excellent response and a noticeable improvement in power.

01:16 It's also significantly faster from a stop and when passing.

01:20 The trail is in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

01:23 It cuts through an evergreen forest and runs up and over the Sierras.

01:28 The terrain varies from slick granite to dirt dotted with rocks to massive boulders that

01:33 require highly technical driving to traverse or go around.

01:37 The trail is known for changing year to year, but the conditions were especially tough this

01:41 time around.

01:42 Despite the challenges, all the Jeeps survived.

01:45 The new engine and transmission worked well, and even though peak torque is now at a higher

01:50 RPM, there was no noticeable difference when off-roading at low speeds.

01:55 Jeep's goal with this latest version of the Wrangler is to make the vehicle more refined

01:59 and better on a day-to-day basis, without sacrificing the JK's off-road ability.

02:12 The new Wrangler stays true to the model's roots, but now it's a lot more fun to drive

02:17 on the road.

02:17 [Music]