Squaring Off

Redesigning an iconic vehicle is a tricky thing to do. Designers need to work within very strict, er… square, parameters. Both the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Jeep Wrangler have recently been refreshed but have the manufacturers done enough thinking outside the box?

Both of these vehicles were born as war machines. The Jeep, as the Allied forces’ light mobility, all-terrain vehicle in 1941. And the Mercedes, in 1979, after the Shah of Iran, a major shareholder of the company at the time, suggested a new military vehicle be included in the line-up. Today, both the Jeep and Benz live on, cashing in on their legendary ancestorial lineage. We took the latest Mercedes-AMG G63 and the new Jeep Wrangler JL for a spin, both on tar and off the beaten track. Hold on. It’s going to get frisky.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

It finally happened: the all-new Jeep Wrangler has snuck its way onto local Jeep showroom floors.

The new JL’s local introduction has been on the cards for many months; it was introduced in overseas markets at the end of 2018. But there was still some stock of the older JK around so Fiat Chrysler South Africa decided to hang tight with the new version.

The Wrangler has been completely renewed while remaining true to itself, with legendary off-road capabilities, authentic Jeep styling and advanced technology features.

With a more modern design, that stays true to the original, combined with more open air freedom and advanced technology features in terms of safety and connectivity the new Wrangler is set to continue where the tried and tested JK left off.

The fourth-generation Wrangler will be offered in three different trim levels: Sport, Sahara and Rubicon, which are all available in two or four-door configuration.

The new Wrangler is immediately recognisable as a Wrangler. In fact, you need to know your Jeeps pretty well to tell this new JL model apart from the previous JK. The traditional cues such as round headlights, seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel arches and visible hinges remain.

The new exterior design is rugged with a wide stance and a lowered beltline that allows for bigger windows.