Jeep® Introduces New 2014 Wrangler Dragon Edition

• Jeep® Wrangler Dragon Edition built from the popular concept first seen at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exposition

• New Wrangler Dragon Edition adorned with Black and Bronze Satin Gloss exterior and interior treatments

• Special-edition model in Jeep showrooms this fall starting at a U.S. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $36,095

• Jeep Wrangler sales up 12 percent in 2013

September 12, 2013 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Last year, the Jeep® brand introduced a unique Wrangler Dragon Design Concept at the Beijing International Automotive Exposition to wide acclaim across the globe, and particularly throughout the Jeep enthusiast community. On the heels of this positive feedback, Jeep is introducing the new 2014 Wrangler Dragon Edition.

The eye-catching new Jeep Wrangler Dragon will be a limited-production special edition, available in Jeep showrooms in North America this fall.

'When we introduced the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Design Concept last year, we received tremendously positive feedback,' said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. 'Our loyal Jeep enthusiasts asked us to build this unique Wrangler, and we are delivering exactly what they've asked for. The new 2014 Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition boasts a stunning, unique, upscale design with styling cues that make it unlike any Wrangler ever seen before.'

The dragon symbolizes strength and power and is an aspirational character normally associated with royalty and good fortune. It was these characteristics that inspired the upscale design of the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition. Based on the Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the Dragon Edition has numerous unique exterior and interior styling cues consumers will appreciate. Available only in Black and as a four-door Unlimited model , the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition features Bronze Satin Gloss trim inside and out.

The U.S. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition is $36,095. Through August, Jeep Wrangler sales are up 12 percent in 2013.

2014 Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition

The Jeep Wrangler Dragon Edition is painted Black with a black body-color three-piece hard top. From there, the designers incorporated numerous Bronze Satin Gloss details found inside the front grille slats, headlamp surrounds and on the Jeep badging. The unique 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels are matte black with a Satin Bronze high-gloss outer edge.

The exterior also features gloss-black appliques on the front and rear bumpers, and a Dark Charcoal dragon decal that starts on the hood and runs along the driver's side of the vehicle. Final exterior touches include a Mopar® fuel-filler door and a black spare tire cover with dragon decal.

The black and bronze theme continues inside with heated black Nappa leather seating surfaces with Satin Bronze Dragon Scale on the outer bolster surfaces, center console arm rest and steering wheel.

Other interior touches include high-gloss black instrument panel bezels and door handles and Satin Bronze accent trim on the steering wheel spokes and passenger-side dashboard grab handle. Finishing the interior modifications are matching bronze bound floor mats and a unique dragon graphic overlay in the gauge cluster.

2014 Jeep Wrangler

The iconic Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and recognized vehicle in the world – kicks off the new model year with new features such as a new Trail Kit featuring two D-rings, a tow strap, gloves and a bag to store the items. Clear park lamps and turn signal indicators replace the amber units, and Sport models can now be equipped with the Uconnect 6.5-inch touchscreen radio with hard drive storage and SiriusXM Radio. Sport models also have an available 32-inch Tire and Wheel Group featuring semi-gloss black 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels and BF Goodrich KM LT255/75R17 off-road tires.

Chrysler Group's 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine – two-time winner of the prestigious Ward's 10 Best Engines award – delivers 285 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque and up to 21 miles per gallon. It is engineered to provide a broad torque band with a focus on low-end torque, an essential trait needed for extreme off-roading. Engineers also designed the oil sump to provide oil to the pump even at extreme vehicle angles, and the alternator was placed up high so Wrangler can maintain its water-fording capability.

The 2014 Jeep Wrangler delivers unmatched off-road capability with legendary four-wheel drive and is produced with more than seven decades of 4x4 engineering experience. Wrangler continues to offer a body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles, electronic lockers, and is one of the few mid-size SUVs that offer a six-speed manual transmission – in addition to its five-speed automatic transmission.

Jeep Wrangler has always had a unique variety of colors to choose from, and 2014 is no different. New exterior colors include: Amp'd, Anvil, Copperhead, Flame Red, Granite Crystal and Hydro Blue (Freedom edition only). Billet Silver, Bright White, Black and Dune continue for 2014.

Jeep Brand

Built on more than 70 years of legendary heritage, Jeep is the authentic SUV brand with class-leading capability, craftsmanship and versatility for people who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a full line of vehicles that continue to provide owners with a sense of security to handle any journey with confidence.

The Jeep vehicle lineup includes Cherokee, Compass, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited. To meet consumer demand around the world, all Jeep models are sold outside North America – and all are available in right-hand-drive versions and with gasoline and diesel powertrain options. Chrysler Group LLC sells and services vehicles in approximately 120 countries around the world.

by Jeep

An automobile marque and registered trademark of Chrysler, Jeep is the oldest off-road vehicle brand. First appearing as the prototype Bantam BRC, the original vehicle became the primary light 4-wheel-drive vehicle of the U.S. Army and allies during World War II and the postwar period. Jeeps have also been used by the U.S. Postal Service during the 20th century for mail services. One suggestion for the origin of the name 'Jeep' was that the vehicle bore the designation 'GP' (for 'Government Purposes' or 'General Purpose'), which was phonetically slurred into the word Jeep.

A fun car to drive, whether it be cruising around the neighborhood, or taking on a perilous off-road trek, the Jeep Wrangler was first introduced to the world in 1987. Able to withstand the test of time, the Wrangler continues to be a very popular vehicle. Since its conception in 1987, the Wrangler has undergone 3 major design revisions from the YJ until the JK and through the changes, the Wrangler continues to prove itself as 'the gold standard' of off-road vehicles.

Arguably one of the most recognizable Jeep vehicles; the Wrangler is considered a mini sport utility vehicle and has always been produced by Chrysler, under the Jeep name. A successor of the World War II Jeep vehicle, the Wrangler underwent a big makeover in 1987, again in 1997 and 2007. The Wrangler is known by Jeep under a variety of names including YJ, JK and TJ. Targeting at maximizing comfort to expand the appeal of the Wrangler beyond the off-road world, Chrysler has continued to update the Jeep Wrangler year after year.

Built in Brampton, Ontario, the Wrangler; also known as the YJ began production in 1987 and continued to be produced at this location until 1992. In that year it began to be produced by Jeep's Toledo North Assembly plant located in Toledo, Ohio. The cars were also produced in Canada for many years, but they weren't sold under the Wrangler name, instead, it was offered as a trim level of a Chevy pickup. From 1987 until 1995, models were known as YK, and from 1997 the 2006 the models were sold as TJ. The Wrangler YJ sold nearly 700,000 units.

The YJ was available as a two door convertible as well as a two door truck. The YJ offered three different engine options that included a 2.0 liter, 4.0 liter as well as a 4.2 liter along with four different transmission options. The YJ was available with two different gas tanks, either an optional 20 gallon tank or the standard 15-gallon tank. The 15-gallon tank was pretty standard for this type of vehicle at this time, compared to now where there is a demand for greater fuel capacity.

The Jeep Wrangler that was produced from 1997 for a decade was dubbed the TJ and was offered with three different engines that included a 2.4 liter, 4.0 liter as well as the 2.5 liter. The TJ was available as both a two door convertible and a two door truck. The transmission was available in three different offerings including a four-speed automatic, a five-speed manual and a six speed manual. A compromise between the standard 15 gallon tank and the optional 20 gallon tank offered on the YJ from 1987 until 1995 was the 19 US gallon gas tank offered on the TJ.

Departing from the World War II era CJ Jeeps, the TJ went back to the round headlights from the square headlights featured on the YJ. The Wrangler TJ also had an unlimited model that 10' longer than the standard wrangler. Continuing on as a very popular roadster, the TJ was in production until 2006. Owners were able to maximize the off-road experience beyond the base model with vast customization options.

The name for the Wrangler changed to JK from 2007 onwards until it is updated again. The KJ features a two-door model as well as two four-door models. Longer, wider and featuring more spaces than its predecessors, the JK came in three trim options; the X, Sahara and Rubicon. The current engine of the JK is a 3.6 liter V6 with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The all-new JK came with a larger gas tank than previous ones and had a fuel capacity at 21.6 US gallons, which was more popular with the customers. The Rubicon and the Sahara models include 17-inch wheels instead of the 16-inch wheels that were standard on the X. Both of these models also have additional body trim and styling as well as interior features.

Standing the test of time, unlike many vehicles, the Wrangler has the capability to change when the needs of the consumer change. Today the Wrangler can be thought of as a family car, due to its diversity, capacious interior and safety ratings. The Wrangler has been, and continues to be the best-regarded 4X4 off-road vehicle.

The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4x4x4 was created by taking the 2007 Wrangler and adding two extra doors and extra length. Keeping the same iconic style, the Unlimited retained the classic look but expanded the appeal beyond the 2-door Wrangler's 'niche' market. Continuing to possess off-road and anywhere capability the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited featured a less rugged feel and was more geared 'toward suburban assault vehicle' with its comfort for everyday functions.

The Unlimited retained the convertible options and actually has several configurations with the 3-piece modular 'Freedom Top' feature.

by Jessican Donaldson