It’s in high-end luxury colors (see: Tesla’s Model S). And it’s in heavy-duty trucks (see: Ford’s upcoming F-150). Now, aluminum is getting even more rugged. In a few years, we’ll see the introduction of the aluminum-body Jeep Wrangler. Based on a recent presentation by Fiat-Chrysler, it looks like the 2018 model (arriving late 2017) will be the big kick-off for this leap forward. From Auto Evolution:
At the Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles Investor Day in May, Jeep’s presentation included a PowerPoint slide that confirmed an all-new Wrangler is in the pipeline. It will come sometime in 2017 as a 2018 model year, but the big news is that it will be a far cry in terms of chassis and powertrain technology and a whole lot lighter than the Wrangler we’ve tested a while back.
Mike Manley, the American manufacturer’s CEO, has recently divulged to Edmunds that the upcoming Jeep Wrangler will focus greatly on fuel economy, weight reduction and off-road prowess. “You will see continued improvements in powertrains… We are the benchmark, so I want to push the benchmark even further,” Mr. Manley declared about the redesigned Wrangler.
As the automotive industry plans years in advance, it wouldn’t be surprising to see more of these announcements start to trickle out. That leads to the question: what’s next? Perhaps soon we’ll hear about the first aluminum-based SUV.