Jeep gives Wrangler some Freedom

JEEP has released its third special edition Wrangler variant in six months, with the ‘military-themed’ Freedom on sale in early February from $35,000 plus on-road costs.

Available in two and four-door body-styles, the Freedom adds features to the base Sport specification such as themed external styling flourishes and cabin enhancements.

The extra gear means a $2500 price increase over the Sport, with the two-door Freedom with a six-speed manual gearbox starting at $35,000. The five-speed auto adds $2000.

Four-door – or Unlimited in Jeep speak – variants carry the same $2500 increase and start at $39,000 for the manual and $41,000 in automatic guise.

Jeep says the Freedom evokes the brand’s “army vehicle manufacturing legacy” and has highlighted this by incorporating a large ‘Freedom Star’ decal with an intentionally weathered look across the passenger side of the bonnet and on the driver’s side rear panel.

“The five-pointed star is symbolic of vehicles assigned to tactical units in the US armed forces,” the company said in a statement.

The hue of the star was chosen to contrast well against each of the six available exterior colours that include ‘Flame Red’, ‘Bright White’, ‘Hydro Blue Pearl’, ‘Bright Silver Metallic’, ‘Dune’ and black.

Other changes to the body over the Wrangler Sport includes a grey painted grille, 'Oscar Mike' badging, Rubicon rock rails, Mopar black fuel flap and body-coloured wheel arch flares.

Interior upgrades in the Wrangler Freedom include black McKinley leather, vinyl and fabric upholstery featuring an embroidered Freedom Star on the front seats, silver stitching on the centre console upholstery, seats, front-door armrests and floor console.

A silver finish also features on the air vent rings and front and rear door grab handles and there is more silver stitching on the black leather steering wheel.

Power comes from the same 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 that powers the Wrangler Sport, delivering an official fuel economy figure of 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres in two-door guise.

Fiat Chrysler Group CEO and president Veronica Johns said the launch of the limited edition Freedom variant will further boost the strong sales the Wrangler enjoyed in 2013.

“Australian buyers proved last year that they love Jeep Wrangler and we are pleased to offer them a new special edition model that provides a strong visual connection with Jeep’s rich heritage,” she said.

The current-generation Wrangler arrived in Australia in early 2007 and is still a popular choice in the country’s crowded SUV market. Last year, Jeep sold 2895 Wranglers, marking a 22 per cent improvement over its 2012 result when it sold 2548 units.

Recent special edition Wranglers included the Asian-themed Dragon in December and the Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition in August, while the Polar variant that debuted at last year’s Frankfurt show is set to arrive in the second quarter of the year.

Jeep Wrangler Freedom pricing*

Two-door	$35,000
Two-door (a)	$37,000
Four-door	$39,000
Four-door (a)	$41,000

*Excludes on-road costs