Press Kit: 2007 Chrysler Group Product Information, What's New for '07

Jeep® Elevates Icon: Introduces All-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler

Auburn Hills, Mich. August 31, 2006 -

Jeep® introduces the all-new 2007 Wrangler, the most capable off-road vehicle in the world — and more.

Building on the successful, original Jeep formula with an all-new frame, exterior and interior design, engine, and safety and convenience features, Jeep Wrangler delivers more capability, interior space and comfort, refinement, power and open-air fun.

“The all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler blazes a trail no other vehicle can follow,” said George Murphy, Senior Vice President – Global Brand Marketing, Chrysler Group. “With more off-road capability, more versatility, more power, more on-road refinement, and more comfort and space, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler continues its legacy as the Jeep brand icon. Simply put, it is the best Jeep Wrangler ever.”

Offered in three models — Wrangler X, Sahara and Rubicon® — the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler is lean, rugged and simple, achieving best-in-class off-road capability while delivering a true open-air driving experience. With solid axles, removable doors, exposed hinges, a fold-down windshield and innovative removable and convertible tops, Jeep Wrangler retains the brand’s coveted core values of freedom, adventure, mastery and authenticity.

“WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007”

New Models
All-new 2007 Jeep® Wrangler comes in three two-door model offerings:

  • Wrangler X
  • Wrangler Sahara
  • Wrangler Rubicon®

Exterior

  • 5.5-inch increase in overall width delivers brawnier appearance than predecessor
  • Multiple door, top and windshield combinations; new three-piece modular hardtop and innovative Sunrider™ soft top
  • Increased ground clearance
  • Larger wheels and tires (16-, 17-, or 18-inch)
  • Jeep-signature design cues include hallmark seven-slot grille, round headlamps and an upright rectangular windshield

Interior

  • 4.6 inches more hip room than predecessor
  • 5.1 inches more shoulder room
  • One-inch increase in rear seat leg room
  • Two-inch increase behind rear seat
  • Available power windows and door locks, full-screen navigation system, 368-watt Alpine® stereo with MP3 capability, SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Sahara and Rubicon models feature cloth seats with YES Essentials® Worry Free Fabric, an easy-care, soil-repellant and anti-microbial textile
  • Fold-and-Tumble™ feature allows rear seats to be stowed for additional storage capacity

Powertrain / Chassis

  • New 3.8-liter V-6 engine delivers 202 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque
  • Available with six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions
  • Increased horsepower, torque, and enhanced suspension, results in a towing capacity of 2,000 lbs.
  • Optional towing package includes a rear Dana 44 axle with a 4.10 axle ratio and trailer hitch
  • Available with 16- (standard) 17- (Sahara and Rubicon) or 18-inch (optional first-time offering on Wrangler) wheels and tires
  • Four-wheel-disc ABS standard on all models with off-road anti-lock-braking feature enabling sustained wheel lockup for improved performance on plowable surfaces, including gravel, sand and mud
  • All-new 100 percent more rigid frame in bending stiffness
  • Two-inch longer wheelbase than predecessor
  • 3.5-inch wider track than predecessor
  • Lower spring rates, advanced shock tuning, increased jounce and rebound travel
  • Enhanced Dana front and rear solid axles
  • Available next-generation Command-Trac® and Rock-Trac™ transfer cases
  • New electric axle lockers and electronic-disconnecting front sway bar

Safety & Security

  • Advanced multi-stage air bag system inflates with a force appropriate to the severity of an impact and includes the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
  • Brake Assist senses a panic brake condition and applies maximum braking power
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP) aids driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability, providing oversteer and understeer control to maintain vehicle behavior on various road surfaces
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM) observes and monitors the vehicle roll attitude and lateral force to estimate the potential for a rollover situation

DESIGN

“Designing the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler meant creating a modern design for one of the world’s greatest icons,” said Trevor Creed, Senior Vice President – Design, Chrysler Group. “The 2007 Jeep Wrangler design is rugged yet simple, maintaining its heritage while also communicating a new level of capability and versatility.

“Improved quality, passenger comfort and, most importantly, off-road capability, are a direct result of Jeep Wrangler’s functional design,” added Creed.

While staying true to the original formula, Jeep Wrangler’s appearance is modern and precise, with clean, crisp lines and improved fit and finish. Wrangler-signature must-have features are refined, including classic round headlamps, a seven-slot grille, trapezoid wheel flares, exposed forged hinges, a fold-down windshield, sport bar, removable tops and doors, available full-framed or half doors, and hard and soft tops.

The all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler is 5.5 inches wider, taking on a brawnier appearance. The body features new sheet metal with a slight crown, providing a strong and robust presence.

ENGINEERING

“Re-engineered and redesigned from the ground up, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler is the most capable Wrangler in its 65-year history,” said Mike Donoughe, Vice President – Body-on-frame Product Team. “With more ground clearance, better wheel articulation and advanced off-road hardware, Jeep Wrangler is designed to tackle the toughest off-road obstacles.”

An all-new, three-piece modular hard top, — Jeep’s Freedom Top™ — system features three panels — left and right front-passenger panels and a rear panel — providing more options for open-air driving in the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler. Also available is the innovative Sunrider™ soft top, which includes a “sun roof” in addition to the full top-down option.

A new 3.8-liter, overhead-valve V-6 engine is featured on all 2007 Jeep Wrangler models. With 202 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque, Jeep Wrangler comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission or an available four-speed automatic transmission.

Improved ground clearance, combined with short front and rear overhangs, enables the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler to navigate the world’s most challenging off-road trails, especially severe inclines. A boulder-friendly approach angle of 44.3 degrees and breakover angle of 25.4 degrees, along with a 40.4-degree departure angle, once again make the 2007 Jeep Wrangler the most formidable off-roader.

Providing unmatched wheel articulation and durability, Jeep Wrangler X and Sahara models feature an enhanced Dana 30 front axle and Dana 35 rear axle. For the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model, heavy-duty front and rear axles are both Dana 44s, which feature numerous improvements. With the optional trailer tow package, a Dana 44 rear axle is standard on all models. Providing significant underbody protection are three skid plates – protecting the fuel tank, transfer case and automatic transmission oil pan.

For the first time, Jeep Wrangler offers an electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar — Active Sway Bar System — delivering additional wheel travel for traversing the toughest trails. As a result, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler boasts a 652 Ramp Travel Index (RTI) — a measurement of a vehicle’s suspension articulation — with the front stabilizer bar engaged and an 832 RTI with the front stabilizer bar disconnected.

Jeep Wrangler X and Sahara models feature the second-generation Command-Trac® NV241 part-time, two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. In addition, a Trac-Lok® limited-slip rear differential provides extra torque and grip during low-traction situations, such as driving over sand, gravel, snow or ice.

The all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon model features an Off-Road Rock-Trac™ NV241 two-speed transfer case with a 4.0:1 low-range gear ratio, as well as electric front- and rear-axle lockers and 32-inch BF Goodrich off-road tires.

While improving its legendary 4x4 Jeep capability, the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler offers enhanced on-road comfort because of an all-new 100 percent stiffer frame in bending, 50 percent stiffer body, refined five-link coil suspension, improved shock tuning, 2-inch longer wheelbase and 3.5-inch wider track. In addition, new steering and suspension geometry provides precise ride-and-handling characteristics, and new sound-deadening techniques reduce cabin noise more than 20 percent.

Ride balance in the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler is more refined, achieving less body lean when cornering and braking. In addition, lower suspension spring rates provide a softer, more comfortable on-road ride. Standard on the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler is an Electronic Stability Program (ESP), which aids the driver in maintaining vehicle directional stability in severe driving maneuvers on any type of surface. ESP features three modes — “full on,” “full off” and “partial on.”

Interior volume provides significantly more passenger space, versatility and cargo storage. Featuring a front-seat area with 54.6 cu. ft. of space — an increase of 4.8 cu. ft. — the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler provides 5.1 inches more shoulder room and 4.6 inches more hip room.

Rear seats comfortably accommodate two adults with 3.9 inches more shoulder room, 1.6 inches more hip room, 1 inch more legroom and a 2-inch greater couple than the 2007 Jeep Wrangler’s predecessor. A fold-and-tumble feature allows rear seats to be conveniently stowed for additional storage capacity.

Two more inches of space behind the rear seat nearly double the cargo capacity of the all-new 2007 Jeep Wrangler. The extra space provides room for a new lockable, under-floor storage area, which secures small items out of sight in the rear cargo area.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS

Elevating the ultimate Jeep

  • 65 years later, Jeep continues to offer more legendary capability

More Jeep

  • More off-road capability
    • Greater ground clearance, larger wheels and tires, enhanced Dana front and rear solid axles, available next-generation Command-Trac and Rock-Trac transfer cases and new electric axle lockers
    • Electronic-disconnecting sway bar – Active Sway Bar System
    • Equipped with skid plates, tow hooks and available 32-inch BF Goodrich tires
  • More power
    • A new standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine with 202 horsepower and 237 lb.-ft. of torque includes a standard six-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic
    • Achieves more horsepower and torque with improved fuel economy
    • More interior space and comfort
    • An additional 1-inch in rear couple and 2 inches behind rear seat provide more comfort, ergonomics and storage capacity
    • Front-seat area provides 5.1 inches more shoulder room and 4.6 inches more hip room, while rear seats offer an additional 1-inch in rear-seat legroom
    • 56.5 cu. ft. of cargo volume behind front seats – an increase of 13 cu. ft.
    • 17.1 cu. ft. of cargo volume behind rear seats – an increase of 8 cu. ft.
  • More on-road refinement
    • All-new 100 percent stiffer frame in bending
    • Wheelbase increased 2 inches (to 95 inches from 93), which contribute to a smoother ride and quieter cabin
    • Lower spring rates, advanced shock tuning and new powertrain and body mounts isolate the passenger compartment from vibrations
  • More open-air fun
    • Only true 4x4 convertible
    • All-new, three-piece Freedom Top™ system provides more options for open-air driving, while a Sunrider soft top provides a second, easy open-air option
    • Dozens of different door, top and windshield combinations
  • More Safety Features
    • Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
    • Electronic Roll Mitigation (ERM)
    • Advanced Multi-stage Air Bag System
    • Seat-mounted Side Air Bags
    • Occupant Classification System (OCS)
    • Anti-lock-braking System (ABS)
    • Brake Assist
    • Child Seat Anchor System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren – LATCH)
    • Side-impact Door Beams

True to Jeep heritage

  • Stays true to the Jeep Wrangler recipe but features more of a precise appearance with clean, crisp lines and improved fit and finish
  • Classic round headlamps, signature seven-slot grille, wide wheel flares, exposed forged hinges, fold-down windshield, sport bar, removable tops and doors, and washable interior
  • Five inches wider overall and 3.5 inches wider in track, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler provides greater stability, better interior ergonomics and takes on a brawnier appearance

Rugged Jeep character with new conveniences and features

  • Available navigation system, UConnect®, six-disc stereo, MP3 player and SIRIUS Satellite Radio provide the latest interior conveniences
  • Power windows and door locks will be an available option – a Wrangler first – and are designed so that doors may be easily removed

MODEL LINEUP

2007 Wrangler X

Standard Features

  • 3.8-liter V-6 engine
  • Standard soft top
  • Electronic Stability Program
  • Four-wheel-disc brakes
  • Folding rear seat
  • Fuel-tank skid plate
  • Transfer case skid plate
  • Manual-shift transfer case
  • 3.21 axle ratio
  • Half metal doors
  • Sentry Key®
  • Occupant Classification System (OCS)
  • Full-size spare tire
  • 16-inch steel wheels

Optional Equipment

  • Air conditioning
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Full-metal doors with roll-up windows
  • 4.10 axle ratio
  • Electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar — Active Sway Bar System
  • Sunrider™ soft top
  • Freedom Top™
  • Dual top group
  • Tow hooks
  • Fog lamps
  • Anti-spin differential
  • Trailer tow group
  • 17-inch aluminum wheels
  • Six-disc CD player
  • Seat-mounted side air bags
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Tubular side steps

2007 Wrangler Sahara

In addition to Wrangler X standard features:

Standard Features

  • Premium cloth seats with YES Essentials® stain-resistant fabric
  • Driver seat-height adjuster
  • Full-length floor console
  • Air conditioning
  • Temperature and compass gauge
  • Speed control
  • Full-metal doors with roll-up windows
  • Fog lamps
  • Tow hooks
  • 17-inch aluminum wheels
  • Side steps
  • Six-disc CD player
  • Six Infinity speakers
  • Leather-wrapped steering wheel
  • Body-colored fender flares

Optional Equipment

  • 4.10 axle ratio
  • Electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar – Active Sway Bar System
  • Power windows and door locks
  • Sunrider™ soft top
  • Freedom Top™
  • Anti-spin differential
  • Dana 44 rear axle
  • Trailer tow group
  • Seat-mounted side air bags
  • Spare tire cover
  • Dual-top group
  • 18-inch aluminum wheels
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Six-disc CD player
  • Full-screen navigation system

2007 Wrangler Rubicon

In addition to Wrangler X standard features:

Standard Features

  • Electronic-disconnecting front stabilizer bar — Active Sway Bar System
  • Rock-Trac® transfer case
  • Dana 44 front and rear axles
  • Locking front and rear differentials
  • 4.10 axle ratio
  • 17-inch aluminum wheels
  • 32-inch BF Goodrich tires
  • Half-metal doors
  • Rock rails

Optional Equipment

  • Power windows and door locks
  • Full-metal doors with roll-up windows
  • Sunrider™ soft top
  • Freedom Top™
  • Dual-top group
  • Six-disc CD player
  • Trailer tow group
  • Front seat-mounted side air bags
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio
  • Full-screen navigation system

SAFETY AND SECURITY FEATURES

Please refer to the Safety Glossary for descriptions of the following features:

  • Advanced Multi-stage Air Bag System
  • Anti-lock-braking System
  • Brake Assist
  • Child Seat Anchor System – Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren (LATCH)
  • Energy-absorbing Steering Column
  • Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
  • Electronic Roll Mitigation
  • Occupant Classification System (OCS)
  • Seat Belt Pretensioners
  • Seat-mounted Side Air Bags
  • Side-impact Door Beams

COLOR AVAILABILITY

  • Black
  • Bright Silver
  • Flame Red
  • Jeep Green
  • Light Graystone
  • Red Rock
  • Rescue Green
  • Steel Blue
  • Stone White

MANUFACTURING INFORMATION

  • Production start: August 2006
  • Production location: Toledo Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio
  • 3.8-liter V-6 engine: Trenton Engine Plant in Trenton, Mich.
  • Four-speed automatic transmission: Kokomo Transmission Plant in Kokomo, Ind.
  • Six-speed manual transmission: Sao Bernardo do Campo plant in Sao Paulo, Brazil

MARKET POSITION
The 2007 Jeep Wrangler remains true to its heritage as the original, extreme-fun and freedom machine. It delivers a new level of open-air, purpose-built, extreme off-road capability for independent-minded adventurers.


Demographics

  • Gender: 75 percent male/25 percent female
  • Median Age: 42
  • Median Annual Household Income: $65,000
  • Household: 50 percent married
  • Education: College

MARKET ADVANTAGES

  • More Jeep: more off-road capability, more interior space and comfort, more on-road refinement, more power, more open-air options, more safety systems, more convenience features
  • True to Jeep heritage with traditional functional attributes and refined yet not-afraid-to-get-dirty appearance (top off, doors off, solid axles, folding windshield and washable interior with drain plugs)
  • Rugged Jeep character with a new level of convenience and features

PRODUCT CHRONOLOGY

2006 Model Year

  • Paint: Solar Yellow replaces Electric Lime Green
  • Paint: Midnight Blue replaces Patriot Blue
  • Golden Eagle package offering includes specific logo/script applications on fender and spare tire cover; two-tone premium seat with specific logo treatment; painted center stack bezel; Dana 44 HD rear axle; 15-inch gold aluminum wheels; and 30-inch tires
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio available on all models except SE

2005 Model Year

  • New six-speed manual transmission replaces five-speed manual
  • Two new exterior colors added: Impact Orange and Deep Beryl Green
  • Jeep® Wrangler Sahara model no longer offered
  • New Premium Audio Group optional on X model
  • New Security Group optional on Sport and Rubicon models
  • New Brake and Traction Group optional on Sport models
  • New Neutral Density fender flares for Rubicon
  • Air conditioning made standard on Sport and Rubicon models
  • Full-size spare tire made standard on all models
  • Full-face steel wheel made standard on SE, X and Sport
  • Convenience Group made standard on X model
  • Seven-speaker system made standard on Sport and Rubicon models
  • Six-disc, in-dash CD changer an option on all models except SE

2004 Model Year

  • Wrangler Unlimited introduced (mid-year introduction)
  • Right-hand-drive model available for U.S. retail market
  • New 30-inch spare tire cover with Sahara logo
  • Optional locking fuel cap
  • CD player now standard on X, Sport, Sahara and Rubicon
  • Tilt steering standard on all models

2003 Model Year

  • Wrangler Rubicon model added
  • 2.4-liter Power Tech, DOHC, 16-valve I-4 engine replaces 2.5-liter engine
  • 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission with skid plate is optional with 2.4-liter and 4.0-liter engines
  • Optional four-wheel disc brakes
  • Sideview mirror redesign
  • New front and rear seats
  • Interior upper head impact protection to meet 2003 federal standard
  • Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren (LATCH) child seat anchor system
  • On-board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)

2002 Model Year

  • Wrangler X model added
  • All-new HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system
  • Premium audio system adds front tweeters

2001 Model Year

  • Four-ply soft top
  • Amplified subwoofer — Optional with all radios
  • New anti-lock brake system
  • Long-life 100,000-mile engine coolant
  • New steering column tilt mechanism
  • User-ready child seat anchorage system
  • Plastic Add-a-trunk

2000 Model Year

  • NV3550 five-speed manual transmission with synchronized reverse — 4.0-liter engine
  • 4.0-liter engine modifications for lower emissions and improved durability
  • Child seat tether anchorages included with rear seat
  • 4.0-liter engine meets Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) requirements in CA, ME, MA, NY, VT and the Northeast Trading Region states

1999 Model Year

  • Rotary air conditioning controls with bi-level mode
  • Optional AM/FM stereo radio with CD player (mid-year introduction)
  • 2.5-liter engine meets Transitional Low Emission Vehicle (TLEV) standards where required
  • Next-generation driver and front-passenger air bags(a)
  • Passenger air bag cutoff switch (May 1998 introduction)(b)

1998 Model Year

  • Sentry Key® theft-deterrent system available (November 1997 introduction)
  • 4.0-liter Power Tech engine meets Transitional Low Emission Vehicle (TLEV) standards where required
  • Dual Top Group (spring 1997 introduction)

1997 Model Year

  • All-new, refined exterior body panels and hardware
  • Quadra-coil suspension
  • Contemporary interior appearance
  • New frame with outstanding torsional and bending stiffness
  • Driver and passenger air bags

1994 Model Year

  • Three-speed automatic transmission available with 2.5-liter engine

1993 Model Year

  • Four-wheel anti-lock brakes available

1991 Model Year

  • 4.0-liter Power Tech, OHV, 12-valve SMPI I-6
  • “Power-tech Six” engine replaces 4.2-liter engine

1988 Model Year

  • Sahara model introduced

1987 Model Year

  • Initial introduction

(a) Certified to federal regulations that allow less forceful air bags. Always use seat belts. Remember, a back seat is the safest place for children.
(b) Important — Always remove key and replace cover.

Rearward-facing child seats may be used in the front seat only with the passenger air bag turned off.




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