For immediate release

Jeep® Wrangler for under R200 000

The icon of Jeep®now available in Sahara and Sport derivatives

With Jeep’s commitment to making its vehicles as affordable to the consumer as possible, the Sport specification Wrangler is now available for the 2003 model year at an introductory price of under R200 000.

A year ago, Jeep launched the new Sahara derivative of Wrangler which featured all of the luxuries one came to expect of a Jeep, and saw the volumes of Wrangler double throughout 2001. Now, to compliment the premium Sahara brand, an entry level Sport specification is being introduced.

The Wrangler Sport appeals to the very essence of the Jeep brand, with the true purpose of off-road adventure inherent in every aspect of the vehicle. It also begs the owner to customise their vehicle with the wide range of Jeep accessories that are available.

Wrangler Sport comes with a standard soft-top, dual airbags, power steering, removable doors and fold down windscreen and bucket loads of Jeep appeal. This no-nonsense off-roader really is the ultimate expression of what Jeep is all about!

In addition to the new Sport, changes on the Wrangler range include an all-new 42RLE four-speed automatic transmission on Jeep Wrangler Sahara. Featuring electronic controlled shifting instead of hydraulic controls, this smoother-shifting transmission provides better performance and enhanced shift quality compared to the previous automatic transmission. In addition to the standard fuel tank and transfer case skid plates, a new automatic transmission skid plate provides additional off-road protection.

Jeep Wrangler Sport and Sahara models come standard with the 4,0-litre PowerTech petrol engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission or the new four-speed automatic transmission on Sahara. The 6-cylinder engine is rated at 130 kW of power and 296 Nm of torque.

The Jeep Wrangler also comes with Quadra-Coil suspension, which has high articulation to keep all four wheels on the ground in rocky terrain, and Command-Trac®, Wrangler’s responsive shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system capable of seamlessly adapting to any terrain.

An all-new interior gives Jeep Wrangler several refinements, while still preserving the true essence of the Jeep brand icon.

New front seats on Jeep Wrangler offer an additional 20 mm of rearward travel, allowing taller drivers to sit a more comfortable distance from the steering wheel. Taller seat backs provide a more comfortable ride, with a lever on the side of the front passenger seat for easier access to the rear. A new fold-and-tumble rear seat can also be more easily removed.

In addition to new front and rear seats, the 2003 Jeep Wrangler features:

  • New interior electrochromic rearview mirror with map lights, temperature and compass display as standard on Sahara
  • New exterior mirror design reduces vibration, while increasing stability and durability
  • New four-spoke steering wheel
  • Additional power outlet on the dash
  • New standard corner pods located just behind the b-pillar on both sides of the vehicle house interior lamps, providing theatre lighting and speakers
  • Dark Slate or Khaki interior

Safety features standard on all Jeep Wranglers include next-generation air bags, a driver’s side constant-force seat belt retractor, self-adjusting low-tension three-point belts and height-adjustable shoulder belts.

For 2003, Jeep Wrangler is offered in four new exterior colours — Bright Silver Metallic, Inca Gold Pearl Coat, Light Khaki Metallic and Intense Blue Pearl Coat. Dark Khaki replaces Tan on the new three-ply soft-top, which retains the sound deadening of the previous four-ply top while being easier to operate. Sport and Sahara models feature new badging.

Sold in nearly 100 countries around the world, Jeep Wrangler is built at DaimlerChrysler’s Stickney Avenue Assembly Plant in Toledo, Ohio, USA.

Jeep Wrangler Sport will be launched at the low price of R 194 900.

Jeep Wrangler 4,0-litre

Specifications in brief

DescriptionSix-cylinder, in-line, liquid-cooled

Displacement3 960 cm³

Bore and stroke98.4 mm x 86.7 mm

Valve systemOHV, 12 valves, flat-face followers, hydraulic lifters

Compression ratio8.8 : 1

Maximum power130 kW @ 4600 rpm

Maximum torque296 Nm @ 3500 rpm

TransmissionsFive-speed ManualFour-speed Automatic

0 - 100 km/h9.9 seconds10.6 seconds

Top speed174 km/h172 km/h

Fuel economy (litres/100 km)

Combined cycle13,215,0

Ex-urban cycle9,010,7

Urban cycle20,523,0

Dimensions and Capacities

Wheelbase2373 mm

Track, front1473 mm

Track, rear1473 mm

Overall length w/spare tyre3883 mm

Overall width1732 mm

Overall height1748 mm hard top / 1782 mm soft top

Running ground clearance246 mm

Approach angle42.5°

Departure angle30.5°

Fuel tank capacity 72 litres