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IT is
not the most unusual automobile in the country, what
with its great- grandfather making its Philippine debut
during the Second World War. In fact, a whole fleet of
evolved passenger models now clog Manila’s streets.
It is called the Jeep. But no, it is not the same jeep
that American GIs left behind after the last great war,
although the locally assembled owner type looks like an
Oakee cousin from the boondocks.
What I
am talking about is the 2008 Jeep Wrangler—the most
popular 4x4 off-road vehicle in the world, which boasts
of a history that backs up its character. It still
retains its traditional box-shaped, open top, originally
designed by the military for easy disembarkation in case
they came under fire. But every other similarity ends
after that.
Though
the new Wrangler retains the seven-slot grille, wide
fender flares and drive-anywhere capability, it is now
fitted with more technology that gives one the feeling
of open skies and adventure.
But
wait! While most people would not want 4x4s because they
give too stiff a ride and have a reputation for being
off-road cars only, the Wrangler four-door does not fall
into this stereotype.
The
Wrangler can actually be used as a street-legal car for
ordinary use like getting you from point A to point B,
doing groceries (yes, I did my groceries with it!) and
bringing your kids to school.
Of
course, it helps a lot if you are driving around in a
vehicle that can simply run over a road
divider-cum-island in case you are trapped in traffic on
a small road, or have to go through road-construction
sites in your village instead of going around them.
There is
nothing so spectacular about the exterior design of the
Wrangler, except for the fact that it is the prototype
for all other local owner-type jeeps, which is as macho
as any vehicle can get.
Step
inside, and what do we see? Bare essentials. Yes, the
Jeep Wrangler interior is not that of a luxury car. It
is, after all, designed primarily as an off-road
adventure Jeep, and that is basically what you get. It
has stylish cloth-covered seats with what they call the
YES Essentials protectant that allows the fabric to
endure wear and tear, stains and other extreme factors
that would affect an off-roader while giving you an SUV
feel when riding it.
It also
has some gadgets attachments for an iPod, an electronic
navigation system and in-car entertainment system that
rival those of higher-end cars.
Under
the hood of the Wrangler is a powerhouse that can take
you from home to work or traverse a wide range of
surface conditions—no road needed. The 3.8-liter,
overhead valve, 60-degree V6 engine churns out a maximum
of 202 hp and 237 lb-ft of torque—enough to keep a
20-room mansion running. (Imagine what it can give you
on or off the road.) It now has a more powerful
alternator to power all off-road requirements such as
lights, winches and the lot.
This
power plant is attached to a six-speed manual
transmission (MPG) and a live axle rear suspension that
enables it to go almost anywhere you want to go,
provided it is not a 90-degree vertical climb. But then
again, with a winch and the power, who knows.
Bottom
line is that the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one automobile
for domestic and adventure use. You can go to the
grocery aboard one, even if the store is 2,000 feet up
the side of Mount Pinatubo. Now, that would be a sight
to see, wouldn’t it?
Thumbs up
§
Powerful
engine
§
Dynamic
4x4 suspension
§
Roomier
interior space
§
Spartan
interior
§
Full
male exterior look
Thumbs down
§
Bouncy
ride if driver is alone or there is no cargo
§
Weird
window- and lock-button locations
§
Very few
gizmos
Specifications
§
Vehicle
Jeep Wrangler 4x4 Rubicon Off-road
§
Engine
3.8-liter overhead valve, 60-degree V6, naturally
aspirated, gasoline
§
Transmission Six-speed manual 4x4 MPG
§
Maximum
power 202 hp at 5,000 rpm
§
Maximum
torque 237 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm
Dimensions
§
Length
183 inches
§
Width
82.8 inches
§
Height
70.8 inches with hardtop
Price as
tested P2.38 million |
