In the case of Jeep, there are various types of edition models related to the army. This is because its roots lie in the Willis MB that was used in World War II in 1941. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 41 Edition e is an edition that commemorates that starting point. It can be called the most Jeep-like Jeep, and we confirmed through a test drive what kind of charm it will show.
In terms of design, it inherited the traditional Jeep look. The angular body and large fenders stand out. In particular, the round headlamps and 7-slot grille are elements that still make it clear that it is a Jeep even after 84 years. The body color is the same Olive Drab as the 1941 Willis MB. Thanks to this, it is easy to mistake it for a military vehicle.
From the side, the straight lines are emphasized. The angular shape stands out, and the door hinges add a solid feel. Here, the high body and large wheelhouse space fully show off the off-road performance. In addition, the fender decoration and Mopar electric side steps add a special touch unique to the 41 Edition.
As for the rearview, it is also neat and Jeep-like. Both the rear lamp and bumper are designed in a square shape. The wheel placed in the center emphasizes the solid feeling.
In the case of the interior, it is easy to understand the functions of the components and the operation is also intuitive. This is because most of the functions are configured with physical buttons. Also, the buttons are large, so there is no burden in pressing them while wearing gloves. In addition, the central main display rarely has anything to operate besides checking driving information.
Next to the gear lever is a drive mode change lever. It has a strong sense of resistance and mechanical engagement like a manual transmission.
The seat position is high. The field of vision is wide despite the small windshield. In addition, the sense of openness is considerable. The amount of wind flowing into the interior is also greater than that of most convertible vehicles.
However, there are some things to consider when it comes to interior space. The headroom is spacious, but the width between the left and right shoulders is narrow. The second-row seats are also upright, which is far from convenient. Because of this, long-distance driving is not easy. However, thanks to the straight space in the trunk, you can load your luggage without any obstacles in the middle.
For the powertrain, it is equipped with a 2L 4-cylinder gasoline engine. It generates a maximum output of 272 horsepower and a maximum torque of 40.8 kg.m. It does not immediately produce power, but there is no time to feel frustrated. When you step on the accelerator pedal, it steadily pushes the body that weighs over 2 tons.
The 8-speed automatic transmission that is connected to it is also smooth. There is little shift shock, so there is no burden in both city driving with frequent shifts and off-road driving. On the other hand, the brakes have weak initial pressure and a strange thumping sound when stopping.
In terms of lower body feel, it is solid. The vibration is smoother than the previous generation, but it is still aggressive. It is the result of the advantages and disadvantages of a body-on-frame platform car. However, large impacts such as speed bumps are smoothly digested by the large movement of the suspension and large tires.
As the speed increases, the body characteristics stand out. This is because the height is high. It is not easy to feel confident at high speeds because the range of movement in all directions is large. The output control is also automatically controlled according to the steering wheel operation, and the noise of the off-road tires is annoying, but the roof awning and trunk wind noise are also prominent.
As a true off-roader, the steering lock-to-lock is long. Rather than focusing on straight-line stability, the weight was placed on the settings necessary for rough road driving. It would not fit the purpose of discussing high-speed driving in this car. To some, this feature may seem like a shortcoming of the Jeep Wrangler, but to consumers who purchase this vehicle, it will be a joy.
When you go off-road, it literally turns into a fish in water. The steering wheel, which has a lot of manipulation, operates stably and smoothly even when going over large rocks. Also, thanks to the high height, the off-road performance is good with an approach angle of 44 degrees and a departure angle of 35.6 degrees, so there is less worry about the bottom getting caught or scratched.
Also, the Wrangler’s factory-shipped water-wading ability is 76 cm (29.9 inches). Thanks to this, it can drive without hesitation not only when passing through waterways but also when entering water from slopes. In addition, the front and rear differentials can be locked, and there is a speed-holding function, so the vehicle can go through even the scariest roads on its own.
In terms of fuel efficiency, it recorded 6~7km/L (14.1-16.5 mpg) in on-road driving. Even driving at high speeds, it barely reaches double digits at around 11km/L (25.9 mpg).
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 41 Edition is about 61,178 USD. For the price, it has increased significantly over the past few years, resulting in a high price. There are also many things to accept, such as inconvenience on the road and low fuel efficiency. However, the sense of openness and design satisfaction are great enough to cover all of that. The moment you get in this vehicle, the shortcomings disappear, and only the charm will remain in your memory.
