Press Kit: 2006 Jeep® Wrangler, What's New for '06

No vehicle illustrates the legendary Jeep® 4x4 capability better than the Wrangler, the heart and soul of the Jeep brand. The 2006 Jeep Wrangler offers open-air fun and freedom with award-winning off-road capability to young buyers, seasoned off-road enthusiasts and those who are young at heart.

“The unmatched ability of Jeep vehicles fosters the go-anywhere, do-anything spirit of adventure-seekers everywhere,” said Jeff Bell, Vice President – Jeep, Chrysler Group. “Jeep has been the four-wheel-drive leader since originating the 4x4 category more than six decades ago. The Jeep Wrangler provides customers with the extreme off-road prowess and superior capability to tackle any on- or off-road condition.”

As the icon of the Jeep brand and the most capable off-road vehicle on the planet, the Jeep Wrangler lineup continues to grow the Jeep legend. For 2006, Jeep Wrangler revives the renowned Golden Eagle edition.

The Jeep Wrangler Golden Eagle’s lineage dates back to the 1970s and 1980s. After more than two decades, the Golden Eagle edition returns to the 2006 Jeep Wrangler lineup.

The 2006 Jeep Wrangler Golden Eagle edition features first-class amenities, including a Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axle, gold 15-inch Ravine aluminum wheels, 30-inch tires, two-tone premium seats, and Golden Eagle hood, fender and spare tire decals.

All Jeep Wranglers wear the Jeep Trail Rated® badge, indicating that the vehicle has been designed to perform in a variety of challenging conditions identified by five key consumer-oriented performance categories: traction, ground clearance, maneuverability, articulation and water-fording.

Extreme Rubicon Capability with Unlimited Room
Introduced in 2005, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is the marriage of Jeep’s ultimate off-road rig — the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon — to the roomier, versatile Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.

“The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is the ultimate Wrangler and attracts a broad spectrum of buyers,” said Bell. “Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has been a tremendous success for the extreme off-road enthusiast, as well as for consumers looking for superior capability in everything they do. Combine that with the spacious Unlimited model, and the result is the best of all things Wrangler: the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.”

The 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon model includes front and rear “air-actuated” Tru-Lok™ locking differentials, front and rear Dana model 44 axles, four-wheel disc brakes and a Rock-Trac™ transfer case with a 4:1 low range.

With unique heavy gauge diamond-plate sill guards, 16-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels with Goodyear Wrangler “Maximum Traction/Reinforced” 31-inch tall tires and a “Rubicon” graphic placed prominently on each side of the hood, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon provides uncompromised capability.

Unlimited Jeep Wrangler Versatility
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is 15 inches longer than the short-wheelbase Wrangler, providing 13 inches more cargo area and two inches more second-row leg room. With Wrangler Unlimited’s added room, it maintains the unmatched open-air fun and 4x4 capability of the original Jeep Wrangler.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offers more refined on-road comfort and quietness because of its longer 103-inch wheelbase — 10 inches longer than the original Wrangler — and improved shock tuning. In addition to a more refined ride, the longer wheelbase contributes to the Wrangler Unlimited’s best-in-segment towing capability of 3,500 lbs., which is 1,500 lbs. more than the standard Wrangler.

Open-Air Versatility and Fun
As the icon of the Jeep brand, Wrangler continues to be the true, original Jeep vehicle that delivers unmatched open-air fun and freedom with unrivaled Jeep 4x4 capability. With a variety of models and features, Jeep Wrangler appeals to a wide array of buyers.

The Jeep Wrangler short-wheelbase lineup for 2006 includes SE, X, Sport, Unlimited and Rubicon soft-top models. Long-wheelbase Jeep Wranglers appear as Wrangler Unlimited and Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon. A hard top with full-steel doors, roll-up windows and tinted glass is available on Wrangler X, Sport, Rubicon, Unlimited and Unlimited Rubicon models. Also optional on Wrangler Sport, Rubicon and Unlimited Rubicon models is a dual-top package that includes both a hard top and soft top in matching colors. Additionally, the Jeep Wrangler Sport model is available in right-hand drive versions for North American markets.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Unlimited Rubicon include the innovative Sunrider™ soft top, which includes a “sun roof” feature in addition to the full top-down option. This new soft top gives a second open-air option by folding the soft-top back completely over driver and front passenger to create a 45x23-inch sun roof opening — larger than any typical glass sun roof.

Power to Go Anywhere, Do Anything
The Jeep Wrangler X, Sport, Rubicon, Wrangler Unlimited and Unlimited Rubicon models feature as standard equipment the 4.0-liter Power Tech™ I-6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or available four-speed automatic transmission. The 4.0-liter engine is rated at 190 horsepower (142 kW) at 4,600 rpm and 235 lb.-ft. (319 N•m) of torque at 3,200 rpm.

The Jeep Wrangler SE is equipped with the 2.4-liter Power Tech I-4 engine, which provides 147 horsepower (112 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 165 lb.-ft. (224 N•m) of torque at 4,000 rpm, and is available with the six-speed manual transmission only Jeep Wrangler SE is also available with the 190-horsepower 4.0-liter engine and automatic transmission. Jeep Wrangler X, Sport and Wrangler Unlimited models include a Quadra-Coil suspension and a Command-Trac® four-wheel-drive transfer case.

Safety features standard on all Jeep Wranglers include next-generation air bags, a driver’s side constant force retractor, self-adjusting low-tension three-point belts, height-adjustable shoulder belts, and energy-absorbing foam in the sport bar and trim around the windshield and back of the hard top.

Jeep Wrangler SE
Standard features on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler SE include the 2.4-liter Power Tech, DOHC, 16-valve I-4 engine, six-speed manual transmission, soft top, AM/FM stereo with CD player and four speakers, high-back reclining bucket seats, passenger tip-and-slide seats, fold-and-tumble rear bench, sport bar padding, sun visors, Dana 30 front axle, Dana 35 rear axle, skid plates, gas-charged shock absorbers and 15-inch full-face steel wheels with matching full-size spare tire.

Optional equipment includes the 4.0-liter Power Tech, OHV, 12-valve I-6 engine, four-speed automatic transmission, full-steel doors with roll-up windows, locking fuel cap, air conditioning, floor mats, cloth seats with driver tip-and-slide, tow hooks and Smoker’s Group.

Jeep Wrangler X
In addition to the standard features offered on the Jeep Wrangler SE, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler X includes the 4.0-liter Power Tech, OHV, 12-valve I-6 engine with six-speed manual transmission, cloth seats,  passenger-side footwell courtesy lamps, full console with lockable storage, four cup holders, coin holder and storage tray.

Optional features include the four-speed automatic transmission, six-disc in-dash CD player and seven speakers, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, speed control and Trac-Lok® differential.

Jeep Wrangler Sport
Standard features on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Sport, beyond equipment offered on the Jeep Wrangler X model, include full-steel doors with roll-up windows, fog lamps, air conditioning, seven speakers including subwoofer, and tow hooks.

Optional features include bodyside steps, black vinyl spare tire cover, lockable add-a-trunk, six-disc in-dash CD player, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), 3.73 axle ratio, Security Group, Smoker’s Group, Dual Top Group and 30-inch Tire and Wheel Group (3.73 axle ratio, Dana 44 rear axle, 15-inch Ravine aluminum wheels).

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
The 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the ulimate Jeep for extreme off-roading and, in addition to the Jeep Wrangler Sport, includes the following standard features: Tru-Lok locking differential, diamond plate sill guards, four-wheel disc brakes, Dana 44 heavy-duty front and rear axles, 4.11 axle ratio, monotube shocks, Rock-Trac heavy-duty part-time four-wheel drive transfer case with 4:1 low range and 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Optional features include half-steel doors with soft windows, Security Group, Smoker’s Group and Dual Top Group.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited model includes the 4.0-liter Power Tech I-6 engine with the six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, Trac-Lok differential, 3.73 axle ratio, Dana 30 front axle, Dana 44 heavy-duty rear axle, 15-inch aluminum wheels with 30-inch tires, skid plates, Command-Trac transfer case, full-steel doors, fog lamps, Sunrider soft top with sun roof feature, tow hooks, air conditioning, AM/FM stereo with CD player and high-back bucket seats and Convenience Equipment Group.

Optional features include the four-speed automatic transmission, bodyside steps, hard top, six-disc in-dash CD changer, SIRIUS satellite radio, speed control, Security Group and Smoker’s Group.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Premium
Standard features offered on the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Premium model, in addition to the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited base model, include body-color fender flares, bright chrome grille, a seven-speaker audio system with subwoofer and premium cloth seats.

Optional equipment offered on the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Premium model are consistent with the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited model options.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
As the ultimate off-roader, the 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon includes diamond-plate sill guards, four-wheel disc brakes, Dana 44 heavy-duty front and rear axles, 4.11 axle ratio, monotube shocks, Rock-Trac heavy-duty part-time four-wheel-drive transfer case and 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels.

Optional features include half-steel doors with soft windows, Security Group, Smoker’s Group and
Dual Top Group.

For 2006, Jeep Wrangler adds a new exterior color — Midnight Blue (replaces Patriot Blue).

Jeep Wrangler is built at DaimlerChrysler’s Toledo (Ohio) Stickney Avenue assembly plant.