Folks at Goodwood Test Out Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Goodwood is synonymous with exotic cars, but that doesn’t keep the Wrangler Rubicon from making a strong impression across the pond.

Every year, automotive enthusiasts from all over the world head to the Goodwood Festival of Speed 60 miles outside of London. It’s a four-day celebration full of vehicle debuts, exotic cars, and motorsport stars. It’s not exactly the kind of place that brings the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon to mind. But love of the Wrangler extends beyond the boundaries of North America. In this video, Sean Ward, production editor for the Goodwood Road and Racing YouTube channel, drives the JL on English roads and in its natural environment: an off-road trail.

Being a UK vehicle, the British model of the Wrangler has its steering wheel on the right side. One of its other differences from the U.S. domestic model actually shows how similar consumer tastes are on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. A diesel-powered Wrangler is finally going to be a reality here in the states; Ward’s test vehicle has a diesel, too, but one with significantly less power. Instead of the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6, Ward’s press loaner has a 2.2-liter turbodiesel I4 with 200 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of torque. However, that’s paired with an eight-speed automatic – the same gearbox available here in the U.S.

Although the Wrangler has gotten more comfortable and civilized over the past several decades, even the newest model has its shortcomings on paved roads. Ward says, “The steering is really very vague.” He finds the rugged suspension hyperactive. That small diesel up front lacks power. According to Ward, “Naught to 62 miles an hour takes 10.3 seconds.” Surprisingly, the chunky tires don’t have the most grip on wet tarmac.

But those weaknesses turn into strengths once Ward hits a trail. The Wrangler’s slow steering keeps Ward from quickly making the wrong move. Getting over obstacles is easy thanks to the diesel’s low-end torque. The suspension “can absorb bumps and impacts that would just obliterate the standard springs and dampers of most ordinary SUVs and soft-roaders.”

Ward gets so caught up in the action and rugged charm of the Wrangler that he removes the front doors and Freedom Panels. The Wrangler may not be the fanciest or most exotic vehicle out there, but last time we checked, you can’t achieve that level of cool in a Range Rover or Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

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Derek Shiekhi

Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.

After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.

While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.

Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.

In addition to writing for a variety of Internet Brands sites, including JK Forum, H-D Forums, The Mustang Source, Mustang Forums, LS1Tech, HondaTech, Jaguar Forums, YotaTech, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts. Derek also started There Will Be Cars on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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