If you assume a small batch of photos that landed on a Jeep Wrangler online forum today are legit, meet the all-new, fully redesigned 2018 Jeep Wrangler. As we ascertained from spy photos of the new Wrangler, the vehicle seen here appears to be a faithful rendition of the traditional Jeep profile. Can you spot the minor changes compared with the current JK-generation Wrangler?
Posted to JL Wrangler Forums by user FS90, these images are a little on the grainy side. This, purportedly, is the 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the top dog of the Wrangler lineup. It’s unclear where the black-and-white images came from, but site admins of the JL Wrangler Forums believe they’re legit. Absent our independent confirmation of the images’ source, we remain skeptical, although the vehicle they portray seems to fit what we expect from the 2018 Wrangler.
The front grille seen here still features Jeep’s traditional round headlights, but they squeeze into the edges of the outer grille slots, a feature last seen on the Jeep CJ that preceded the Wrangler and ended production in 1986. The upper portion of the grille leans back in a kink, a design flair found on the original YJ-generation Wrangler of 1987 to 1995 that was softened for the TJ generation of ’97–’06 and disappeared entirely on the flat-faced JK that made its debut in 2007.
As folks on JL Wrangler Forums have pointed out, the photos depict a fold-down windshield, as evidenced by the hinges at the bottom edge of the windshield frame. This model seems to have a flatter windscreen than the curved item on the current Wrangler, although it could be the image quality playing tricks; the glass is definitely more steeply raked, however. This four-door maintains the general shape and size of the current model’s doors, with slightly redesigned exposed hinges and a new horizontal character line running the length of the passenger compartment. A new pocket-style vent sits just behind the front wheels, presumably to help evacuate air from the Wrangler’s signature open-to-the-front fenders and lessen their aerodynamic drag.
The second image shows the same purported four-door Wrangler Unlimited with fully removable roof and doors, as well as a roll bar similar to that on the current model. The taillights feature a more wraparound design than today’s units, and while this slightly fuzzy image does not show a spare tire, the inset in the bumper seems to indicate that this vehicle retains the Wrangler’s classic tailgate-mounted spare.
Compare the alleged 2018 Wrangler’s design with the 2017 model shown above, and you might notice subtle changes. The rig shown in these black-and-white photos doesn’t stray too far from the familiar design of the wildly successful JK-generation Wrangler, but there are flourishes that freshen and modernize the design. Given everything we’ve heard so far about the all-new Wrangler, we expect it will maintain the off-road capabilities of the current model while dramatically improving its on-road manners, fuel efficiency, and comfort. We can’t wait to see, and drive, the finished product—and the long-promised Wrangler pickup truck that will be based on it.
This story originally appeared on Road & Track.
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