Jeep Brand Announces 2022 Wrangler Willys With Xtreme Recon Package at 2021 Detroit 4Fest

Jeep Wrangler Willys joins Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Rubicon 392 as models available with 35-inch tires in Xtreme Recon Package

•Jeep® Wrangler Willys with Xtreme Recon Package offers 35-inch tires straight from the factory

•Equipped with the $3,995 Xtreme Recon Package, Jeep Wrangler Willys joins Wrangler Rubicon and Wrangler Rubicon 392 to deliver best-in-class approach angle, departure angle, ground clearance and water fording capability

•Customer orders open in October for Wrangler Willys with Xtreme Recon Package, with production starting at the Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Plant in December

Today at the 2021 Detroit 4Fest, the Jeep® brand bolstered the Wrangler's legendary 4x4 capability and go-anywhere attitude, announcing the 2022 Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme Recon 35-inch tire package.

Priced at a U.S. manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $39,435 (plus $1,495 destination charge), the 2022 Jeep Wrangler Willys with the Xtreme Recon Package includes:

•LT315/70R17C (35-inch) BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires

•17-inch by 8-inch beadlock capable wheels

•Swing gate reinforcement

•4.56:1 axle ratio

•1.5-inch factory suspension lift with uniquely tuned shocks

•Anti-lock four-wheel-disc performance brakes

Fitted with a standard black grille, matte black 'Jeep' badge, black 'Trail Rated' badge, '4-Wheel Drive' swing gate decal and 'Willys' hood decal, the heritage-inspired Wrangler Willys brings a unique appearance to the Wrangler lineup, bolstered for 2022 with the available Xtreme Recon 35-inch tire package.

'The new Jeep Wrangler Willys with Xtreme Recon Package gives our passionate customers another great option for straight-from-the-factory 35-inch tires,' said Jim Morrison, Vice President, Jeep Brand North America. 'Named after the original Jeep utility vehicle, the Willys holds special meaning to the Jeep brand, and we're excited to enhance the new Wrangler Willys with 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 tires.'

Equipped with the Xtreme Recon Package, the Wrangler Willys delivers best-in-class approach angle, departure angle, ground clearance and water fording capability:

•Approach angle – 47.4 degrees

•Breakover angle – 26.7 degrees

•Departure angle – 40.4 degrees

•Ground clearance – 12.9 inches

•Water fording – 33.6 inches

Customers can order the Xtreme Recon Package on the Jeep Wrangler Willys 3.6L eTorque starting in October. Production at the Toledo (Ohio) Assembly Plant will start in December.

2021: Year of the Wrangler

The 2021 calendar year has been a momentous period for the Jeep Wrangler, starting early in the year with the introduction of the first electrified Jeep in North America, the Wrangler 4xe, and the first V-8-powered Wrangler in almost 40 years, the Wrangler Rubicon 392.

The Wrangler 4xe, with 375 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, delivers 49 miles per gallon-equivalent (MPGe) and 21 miles of all-electric range, yet maintains all of Wrangler's legendary off-road capability, including the ability to traverse 30 inches of water. In the second quarter of 2021, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe was the No. 1 best-selling plug-in hybrid in America. And in its first year of eligibility, the innovative 4xe plug-in hybrid propulsion system in the Jeep Wrangler was voted a Wards 10 Best Engines and Propulsion Systems winner.

For Jeep enthusiasts looking for legendary off-road performance and a new level of on-road performance, the Jeep brand introduced the V-8-powered 2021 Wrangler Rubicon 392, the quickest and most powerful Wrangler yet. Rated at 470 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, the 6.4-liter Wrangler Rubicon 392 features a Selec-Trac full-time active transfer case and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

At the 2021 Chicago Auto Show, the Jeep brand introduced the Xtreme Recon Package for Wrangler Rubicon 3.6L eTorque and Wrangler Rubicon 392. Offering 35-inch tires straight from the factory, as well as a 1.5-inch factory suspension lift, the Xtreme Recon Package elevates Wrangler's off-road capability to best-in-class water fording and approach, break-over and departure angles.

The Jeep brand also added two eye-catching colors to the Wrangler lineup for 2021. Gecko, a vivid and bright green, and Tuscadero, a deep and intense chromatic magenta, joined the Jeep palette of 2021 model-year, special-run colors, which included Chief Blue and Nacho.

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