by Matt Konkle
Torque Managing Editor
At least this time when Jeep rolled its new Rubicon Wrangler design out on stage, the thing wasn’t paid for by a bunch of designers using their own money.
No, this time engineers simply got to do what they do best, and it was house money that pushed the vehicle to completion.
Jeep Thursday unveiled its latest Wrangler limited-run special edition, dubbed the 20th anniversary Rubicon, during a press event for the Chicago Auto Show. The automaker said it will be available in 4xe hybrid and high-output 392 version with numerous appearance, mechanical and product upgrades.
Additionally, Jeep has partnered with AEV Conversions and is offering a ‘Level 2’ option (limited to 150 vehicles) that adds AEV-branded bumpers, a 2.5-inch DualSport suspension system, Saverge wheels, Warn VR EVO 10k synthetic winch and other items including 37-inch BFGoodrich KO-2 tires, front skid plate and AEV’s 7000-series lights.
“Twenty years ago, a small group of enthusiastic Jeep engineers affectionately known as the ‘Lunatic Fringe,’ with grit and determination and their personal credit cards, designed, engineered and developed the most capable Wrangler yet – the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon – and overdelivered on everyone’s expectations because they knew it was what Jeep customers wanted,” said Jim Morrison, head of Jeep for North America. “Today the Rubicon model represents about a quarter of overall Wrangler sales, with more than 700,000 sold worldwide, and include the electrified Rubicon 4xe, the best-selling and most capable PHEV in America.
”That same spirit of determination and ingenuity that led to the creation of the Wrangler Rubicon lives on in these new 20th anniversary special editions, which for the first time, bring available 37s to the Wrangler, providing unmatched capability.”
Jeep’s 20th Anniversary Rubicon arrives with a redesigned front grille, half-inch suspension lift, providing enough clearance for 33-inch tires on 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels, as well as steel bumpers, front camera, steel side bars sliders, upgraded Gorilla Glass windshield and an 83-piece tool set. Bump up to the Rubicon 392, and you’ll get Jeep’s Xtreme Recon Package, which adds 35-inch tires, a factory-installed air compressor, and beefier 4.56 axle gears.
For the interior, Jeep is adding unique red and black seats, red leather-trimmed instrument panel, mopar slush mats, auxiliary switches and special edition 20th anniversary shifter medallion.
Each vehicle also comes with special hood decals and swing gate plaque.
The 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary starts at $71,380, while the Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary begins at $92,690 (including a $1,795 destination fee on each edition). If you desire the extremely limited AEV Level II kit on the vehicle, add another $22,978 to the price of that 4xe, or $21,130 on a Rubicon 392.
Each of the special edition models are available in nine exterior colors, including Earl, Firecracker Red, Punk'n, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting Gray, black and Bright White, with the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary also available in Granite Crystal.
Production for both models will commence by the end of Q1 2023 and reach dealerships in the spring or early summer. Order books are currently open.
The Chicago Auto Show runs February 11-19 at McCormick Place.
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