We cannot think of a 4x4 without
immediately having the image of the Jeep Wrangler and the head is the last
descendant of this icon. An icon now available to us with a diesel engine.
To successfully sell a car on our
continent, it needs a diesel engine. This is what makes the Jeep Wrangler has
not been aired more than that during its 20 years of existence here. Renault
was well endowed CJ7 a diesel, but the Renault 18 2.1D had not shown because of
its power of only 61 horses...
So when Jeep has launched the third
generation Wrangler, the JK, a diesel engine has been provided. Of course, the
2.8 CRD who gets stuck: that which powers have also the Cherokee. It now aligns
the sum of 177 horsepower and especially torque of 40.8 kgm at 2000 rpm / min. casually;
they are better numbers than previous proposed Wrangler 4.0 petrol!
To relay all this to the wheels, Jeep lets
you choose between the manual transmission on the basic Sport version and the
automatic gearbox on the most complete version of the Sahara. In both cases,
Jeep has put the dishes in the large: the manual transmission has 6 automatic
reports and 5, no less! We, of course, we took an automatic gearbox: it is
ideal on a 4x4 crossing.
Before boarding, let's look. What can I
say, except that the beast is beautiful? Round headlights, wings wide, large
17-inch wheels, right angles, small red lights in the rear grille and 7
vertical slots: everything is there, do not throw anything! Moreover, the impulses
of sympathy for this Jeep abound, even in Paris, where many passers we have
little signs of admiration! The Sahara has the Top in Top; that is to say,
under the hard top is also a tarpaulin. It's cheese and dessert!
The interior is also very nice to share the
atmosphere it provides. The vision of the long hood through the small
windscreen and curved just enough vertical puts you immediately in the mood! We
are delighted to find a steering wheel, a height-adjustable driver seat, a
center armrest concealing a deep storage compartment, and a sound system worthy
of the name and direct reach of the driver. Finally, do not make illusion. We
always seek to control electric mirrors (and for good reason ...). The quality
of plastics is typically U.S. (read ... very cheap), the pockets are really
small, and the trunk is more than limited. Its width is correct, but its depth
is very low and its height is barred because of the presence of the tarpaulin
Top in Top.
The boot is also typically U.S. You must
have your foot on the brake pedal, and if you do not put your seat belt chime
to sound very typical active. The sound of the diesel engine is not too
annoying, even when cold. Nothing to do with such an old 2.5TD original VM or a
Tdi Land Rover. This volume will continue in the proper use. Without saying
that the Wrangler CRD is silent, we must admit that we were expecting worse...
Very quickly, a quality Jeep Wrangler 2.8
CRD we jump to the eye: the torque of the engine. In all regimes, 4x4 leaves
with force. And even with a lot of force, so it surprised many motorists to
start his own driver! And yet, the automatic transmission does not help things
too much. Reports are long, the torque converter is quite greedy and does not
have a lock on the higher gears (lock-up function). Otherwise, the Jeep was a
real little GTI. In the current state, the Wrangler 2.8 CRD Auto is better than
defense and we were really surprised about that.
The good news is that it is quite possible
to enjoy this road dynamism. The rigid axles are certainly the disadvantage of
increasing the unsprung masses (penalizing handling) and decrease comfort, but
they allow four wheels work permanently flat. On the road, the Wrangler evolves
with its own rear-wheel drive and is therefore not the clumsy side 4x4 AWD
permanent. Finally, with his short frame, it turns terribly handy. In case of
excessive optimism, ESP before. But it is almost never occurred despite the
pace of our mount...
The Jeep Wrangler is not a vehicle that you
buy just to go from point A to point B. Buy it for its look or go to trudge
with the two uses are perfectly compatible. So we went to check the capacity of
crossing JK. Have in the past; we were a little disappointed with the off-road
capabilities of the Wrangler TJ and WJ series, which forced them to go through
the kits to get results up to the reputation of the brand.
As well tell you right now, the Wrangler JK
us amazed. Because we did not really put all the chances on our side. Compared
to version Rubicon, Sahara has a smaller reduction but also does not have the
sway bars disconnected or locking differentials: what remain immobilized in the
first bridge crossing, especially since the field day is fat and we are shod with
road tires.
Our mount has good day’s travels, even
without the sway bars disconnected. More importantly, the entire range Jeep
Wrangler has a weapon: its traction BLD which to date include reference to us.
Even in a progression centimeter by centimeter, sometimes to intervene and thus
to replace a differential lock, locking the wheel in difficulty without choking
the engine, where others require antipatinages to force a passage for power
action. Of great art, which allowed us to go to places really unexpected.
Torque diesel and automatic transmission do the rest: this is a client choice
crossing! For the raid, it will however mention the JK in its short chassis
variant imperative for him to prefer the version Unlimited. Simply for reasons
of capacity. It has been said, the trunk is more than limited but more
importantly, the tank capacity (66 liters only) severely limit the autonomy.
Rate side, the Jeep Wrangler Sahara is
quite well placed. Because the competing models are not better, on the
contrary. They are not many of the rest: one 4x4 chassis short crossing, we can
cite the Land Rover Defender, another icon stock but much less versatile, and
limit the Nissan Patrol, capable of everything, but with much less sex appeal.
On occasion ... the offer is currently non-existent: he must believe that
nobody wants to sell his ... It includes owners!
It has the look and the level of equipment
that is expected of it. But the Jeep Wrangler 2.8 CRD Sahara is distinguished
by the driving pleasure it offers on its road and off-road capabilities. The
legend of the Jeep back through the front door! .
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