To mark the tenth anniversary of the iconic Rubicon nameplate, Jeep® has released the most capable factory-produced Wrangler model ever, the limited-production Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition.
Packed with equipment that off-road enthusiasts love, the Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is available as both a two-door Wrangler and a four-door Wrangler Unlimited.
Just 30 examples of the limited-run Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition have been secured for the Australian market, with 12 two-door versions and 18 four-door versions available for local Jeep enthusiasts.
“The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is a tribute to 10 years of Wrangler Rubicon history,” said Ms. Veronica Johns, President and CEO Fiat Chrysler Group Australia.
“To celebrate the anniversary, Jeep has created a stunning new example of the Wrangler, available with key standard off-road equipment seen for the first time on a production vehicle.
“The Wrangler Rubicon has been designed for the Jeep brand’s most passionate enthusiasts and we expect this exclusive expression of the nameplate to be keenly sought after, as it offers an unprecedented level of capability straight from the showroom floor.”
Legendary Jeep Off-Road Prowess
For more than seven decades, Jeep vehicles have defined the benchmark in rugged capability and utility. The most recognised of these vehicles has long been and still is the Jeep Wrangler, which has always provided an unmatched level of freedom resulting from the ability to traverse any trail, anywhere.
Ten years ago, for the 2003 model year, Jeep dramatically raised the bar in off-road capability with the introduction of the Wrangler Rubicon model. Named after one of the most grueling off-road trails in the world, the Rubicon models were the most extreme Wranglers ever produced.
The 2005 model year saw the introduction of the Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited that brought more utility to the Rubicon’s quickly established off-road credentials. Over the last 10 years, the Wrangler Rubicon has won numerous prestigious awards including Four Wheeler magazine’s “4×4 of the Decade” honour for its unmatched level of all-around capabilities.
Fast forward to the 2013 model year, with the wildly popular Jeep Wrangler Rubicon turning 10 years young. To celebrate, Jeep has introduced a new, limited-production Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition that is the most capable factory-produced Jeep Wrangler ever released.
Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition
Based on the Rubicon model and available in two-door Wrangler or four-door Wrangler Unlimited specification, the Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition is offered with a standard six-speed manual or optional five-speed automatic transmission mated to a Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine producing 209 kW of power and 347 Nm of torque.
The Jeep part-time four-wheel-drive system features front and rear Dana® 44 axles with a 4.10 axle ratio, Tru-Lok® electronic remote-locking differentials and a Rock-Trac® transfer case with a 4:1 low range, while Electronic Front Sway Bar Disconnect permits an intimidating display of articulation.
With the standard six-speed manual transmission, the Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition has an impressive crawl ratio of 73.1:1 that makes it a breeze to negotiate any obstacle.
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition has a number of exclusive features that make it distinctive, as well as the most off-road capable Wrangler in history. A one-half inch increase in ride height versus the standard Rubicon model provides the Goodyear Wrangler tyres with more room to claw at rugged terrain.
The tyres are mounted on 17-inch Rubicon aluminum wheels finished in satin black with polished faces and a red Jeep Wrangler ‘icon’ logo on the outside lip.
A dual-intake ‘Power Dome’ bonnet helps aid in engine cooling and lends the 10th Anniversary Edition a more menacing appearance, while Mopar rock rails give added protection from trail damage. Mopar also supplies the black fuel filler door and tail lamp guards.
‘10th Anniversary’ badging on the front quarter panels and a red-silhouette ‘Rubicon’ decal along the sides of the bonnet add the finishing touches to the exterior.
The Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition comes standard with a three-piece body-colour Freedom hard top, while the soft top is also included in the vehicle. Exterior paint colours for the Wrangler Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition are White and an exclusive 10th Anniversary Edition colour called Anvil.
Special touches attributed to the interior include striking red leather seats with ‘Rubicon 10th Anniversary’ embroidered into the front seat backrests, which are sure to grab attention at first glance, while matching red stitching adorns the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the center console.
A unique gauge cluster features a ‘10th Anniversary’ signature as well as a premium Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with read-outs such as oil pressure, oil temperature and tyre pressure.
The passenger grab handle, which is bolted on and quality stamped with the ‘Rubicon 10th Anniversary’ name, features a ‘Quick Silver’ finish that is also found on the air vent rings, steering wheel spokes and interior door handles.
Final design touches include Mopar slush mats, unique axle locker and sway-bar disconnect switches, and a plaque mounted in the dash tray that features the vehicle’s technical data, such as axle and sway bar types, transfer case type and crawl ratio, tyre size and location of manufacture.
Other standard features on Australian-market Rubicon 10th Anniversary Edition models include body-coloured fender flares, deep-tinted sunscreen rear and quarter glass, Uconnect media centre with 6.4-inch touchscreen and GPS navigation, front seat side airbags and a reversing camera.