Is the Wrangler Getting Ready to Lose Some Iconic Qualities?

I’ve got to be honest here: all this talk of an aluminum Wrangler has me a little nervous.

Sure, I get the the idea of an all-new Wrangler platform with a number of aluminum parts, including front and rear doors with aluminum inner structures and an aluminum hood: it’s appealing to those looking for better gas mileage out of the SUV.

After all, the current numbers for a Wrangler Unlimited sport model, with an estimated EPA of 16 city/21 highway, don’t exactly make it the least-expensive road-trip vehicle. But you do have to wonder, based on the recent details leaked in a supposed internal memo about the aluminum parts, if Fiat Chrysler might be actually “softening” up the Jeep, in addition to lightening the load.

What do I mean? Well, consider this: if one of the primary goals is to make the 2018 Wrangler more fuel efficient, do you really need to make sure the new Jeep is as off-road capable as the last model?

Now, I’m sure Jeep officials would say, “absolutely.” And while I certainly hope that’s the case, it is something worth pondering.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Via [Auto Week]