New 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon Captures Prestigious "Four Wheeler of the Year" Award from Four Wheeler Magazine

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Dec. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• More fuel-efficient, more powerful and more capable Jeep® Wrangler recognized with esteemed award from leading off-road enthusiast magazine
• "Four Wheeler of the Year" is Jeep Wrangler's 8th award in recent weeks
• Jeep Wrangler boasts dramatically improved on-road performance and even more off-road prowess for 2012
• New 3.6-liter V-6 engine improves Wrangler's fuel efficiency – up to 21 miles per gallon – with a 40-percent increase in horsepower and a 10-percent increase in torque
• Wrangler succeeds Jeep Grand Cherokee as "Four Wheeler of the Year"
• Jeep Wrangler sales up 29 percent for the year; November marked sixth consecutive monthly sales record

The new 2012 Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon – the most capable production vehicle on the planet – has been named "Four Wheeler of the Year" by Four Wheeler magazine. The award is given annually by the editors of the opinion-leading off-road enthusiast magazine.

John Cappa

To qualify for the competition, entries had to be entirely new or have substantial mechanical revisions from a previous model year. Testing was conducted over more than a thousand miles on a variety of terrain, including pavement, gravel, dirt, sand, rocks and mud, at elevations ranging from sea level to more than 9,000 feet.

Mike Manley

The 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon "Four Wheeler of the Year" award comes a year after the Jeep Grand Cherokee – the premium icon of the brand – captured the award, and less than two years after the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon was named the Best 4x4 vehicle of the 2000-2009 decade by Four Wheeler magazine.

• 4x4 of the Year, Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine
• Mid-size SUV of Texas, Texas Auto Writers Association
• Best Value Off-Road, Active Lifestyle Vehicle (ALV) award
• Hottest 4x4 SUV, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) award
• ALG Residual Value Award – Best Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Compact Utility Vehicle
• Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com Best Resale Value Award, Top-10 Cars

New 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – becomes even more capable both on- and off-road for 2012, courtesy of an all-new, more fuel efficient and more powerful 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and a new five-speed automatic transmission – both of which it shares with the award-winning Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Additionally, for refined shifting and greater performance, the Jeep Wrangler migrates from a four-speed to a new five-speed automatic transmission. The 2012 Jeep Wrangler also features the company's first application of a manual transmission to the Pentastar V-6.

2012 Jeep Wrangler interior highlights include a recently redesigned instrument panel and storage areas with improved ergonomics and upgraded materials. A lockable console and upgraded door armrest areas boast comfortable touch points, while a redesigned center stack is easier to reach and operate. Heated, power mirrors are available, and drivers and passengers enjoy enhanced visibility courtesy of large rear windows.

Jeep Brand

Built on 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup includes Compass, Grand Cherokee, Liberty, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all six Jeep models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

 

SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC