Car news from The Automotive Car - The 2011 Jeep Wrangler interior has a redesigned instrument panel and new storage areas, wth upgraded materials; a lockable console and upgraded “true” door armrests have more comfortable touch points, and the center stack is easier to reach and operate. Heated, power mirrors are now available, and larger rear windows increase visibility. The arm rest and door pull have a more ergonomic placement and design, with soft touch materials and more user-friendly locks.
Hill Descent Control is now standard on all Wranglers, along with the new instrument panel, center console, front and rear door panels, steering wheel, center stack, and defroster ducts. The soft-top has a 152mm-wider rear window, the door opens wider and has a detent, and power heated mirrors are available. The Freedom Top has larger rear and side windows (145 and 90 mm larger, respectively).
The 2011 Wrangler Sport S model has $1,400 in “no charge equipment,” adding air conditioning, satellite radio, 17-inch Moab-style wheel, tinted windows, and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.
Steering-wheel controls have been added for the radio, cruise control, hands-free phone, and other functions, and a new USB interface connects storage devices (thumb drives and most MP3 players) to the Media Center, which now includes streaming Bluetooth audio. Twelve-volt accessory outlets have been added, and a new 110-volt outlet is optional. The new three-spoke steering wheel with bright accents (a potential problem with the top off) and audio controls is standard.
The center stack is now streamlined and “step free” with better access and visibility. A storage area has been added to the top of the instrument panel; and a new bin is under the rear carpet, with more cargo tie-downs and a reversible load floor mat with Jeep logos on both sides. A new center console includes soft touch surfaces, a more comfortable height, dual stage lid tray, and better opening size; it can still be locked. A Jeep grille logo sits behind the rearview mirror, and “Jeep — since 1941” is printed on the front passenger grab handle.
Hex-head bolts are used throughout the interior, including on a “Jeep, Since 1941” inlay on the passenger grab handle. Added sound insulation cuts interior noise, and Sahara models have a new body-color hard top. The 2011 Jeep Wrangler colors are Detonator Yellow, Deep Cherry Red, Sahara Tan, Cosmos Blue and Bright White. Black replaces slate gray, black/dark saddle replaces dark/medium khaki on Sahara and Rubicon, and dark/medium khaki has been dropped from Sport.
Production of the new 2011 Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited began in August at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Toledo, Ohio.
Update, August 13: “Desertbuzz” sent us these images from Chrysler’s web site ... apparently for a brief time they posted the entire 2011 Jeep Wrangler owner's manual on-line. Of note, a 115 volt, 150 watt AC power inverter is now included in the front of the center console; and audio controls are on the back of the steering wheel.
The prices have gone up around $900, so that (all prices are for 4x4) the Sport starts at $22,795, Sahara at $27,995, and Rubicon at $29,995; Unlimited Sport goes to $26,295, Unlimited Sahara to $30,695, and Unlimited Rubicon to $33,495. Dealer invoice is around $700 below MSRP for Sport, $1,500 for Sahara, and $1700-$1,900 for Rubicon (standard and Unlimited). These are fairly small markups.
The Sport B is said to be gaining steering-wheel mounted audio controls, cruise, and hill descent control; Sahara is said to gain an AC outlet and auto headlights; and options now include heated power mirrors and heated front seats.
Rubicon gets “Rock-Trac®” 4x4 which uses an electronic sway bar disconnect, Tru-Lok locking differentials (front and rear), and NV2410R transfer case with 4:1 gear ratio, fiving the Wrangler a 73:1 gear ratio. [Thanks to Justin Trevor for his clarification.]
Standard Wrangler 4x4s get Command-Trac I®, with shift-on-the-fly 4WD (at speeds under 60 mph), low gear, and neutral setting for towing without uncoupling the driveshafts. In low gear, torque is multiplied by 2.72:1. The front axle is a Dana 30, the rear axle is a Dana 44; a Trac-Lok differential is available.
The 2011 Jeep Wrangler is otherwise expected to be similar to the 2010 models, which have standard tow hooks, fog lamps, full-length center console, front floor mats, and cloth trim with front seatback map pockets. The Sunrider® soft top is easier to remove than in older (mid-2000s) models. Some buyers may end up using a grease pencil or other device to dim the bright chrome on the steering wheel, which would otherwise reflect flashes of sun with the top off.
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