But don’t worry… Off Road Capabilities stay high.

By Andy Lightbody

It seems like the venerable Jeep Wrangler has been around since God was a little boy. Ask every off-road traveler and they’ll tell you that the Wrangler has and continues to be one of the most iconic vehicles for hunters, campers, fishermen and back country travelers. Which is why, every time you hear that Jeep is bringing out a “new” or “redesigned” Wrangler…. Many of us want to bite our lower lips and say… “NO!” You can’t change MY Jeep.
So, when we had the opportunity to get our hands on the re-designed 2011 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and do a driving test, I was a little apprehensive to see… if my old tried and true Jeep Wrangler still had all the off-road “True Grit” features.
Think back decades ago.  Jeeps were synonymous for hitting the toughest back country, off road, no-road conditions that anyone could imagine in the nation or anywhere in the world. They were in WWII, they were in Korea, they were in Viet Nam, they were here in the U.S. on the most technical, treacherous and challenging two day event that anyone could envision… The Rubicon Run. A two day torture test, from Georgetown to Lake Tahoe where hundreds of Jeepers congregate to have the MOST challenging trails and have to negotiate everything from steep and deep dirt climbs, rock climbing the sizes of  houses, muddy creek crossings and a total of about 18 miles of the most challenging terrain imaginable.
Having done and survived the Rubicon Run on more than several occasions…. I look at the Jeep Wrangler, Rubicon model they offer as a vehicle that is either going to… put up or shut up, perform as you tell me… or something that is a disappointment, new changes, and city-fying a vehicle that has roots in war and decades of delivering tough and dependable, off -road performance…. Now lost.
After all, who else really makes a tough, rough, ready-to-roll 4×4 anymore? None that I can think of, but Jeep.
For 2011, no “lower-lip biting” needs to be worried about. The off-road, dirt, mud, hill-climbing and all 4×4 capabilities of the Wrangler have been retained! Thank you, Jeep!
Still built on a 116 inch wheelbase chassis and sporting an overall length of 173 inches, the Wrangler Rubicon can be had for the new year again as a 2- or 4-door model. With a width of 73.9 inches and a turning diameter of  41 feet, this true SUV is an off-road vehicle that is nimble, responsive and quick to turn and still be able to negotiate everything from city and highway traffic, to the slow-crawls when climbing or creeping in off-road conditions.  With a full 10.2 inches of ground clearance… out of the factory….. the Rubicon is ideal for taking on the rocks and boulders and being a survivor for both the novice and experienced off-roader.
As a carryover from year’s previously, the Wrangler Rubicon still sports the 3.8 liter V6 engine that huffs and puffs to put out 202 horsepower and 237 foot/pounds of low end torque. Rated at 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway…. This is not much to write home about. Thank goodness for the gearing system in the Wrangler… that provides a lot of “low-end” pulling power… when you are in four-wheel drive or trying to tow.
It works, does great. But it is not as efficient as other engine options that are being offered in the family of vehicles from Chrysler Corporation. Until Jeep/Chrysler decides to upgrade the engine… you still have a sweet powerplant that loves the dirt, with a great deal of move and groove, pull and push power.
For 2011, most all of the changes are on the inside …. Where a host of new “foo-foo” standard and optional features are being offered. If you like a host of new creature comforts that are standard and a bunch of options…. Sound, seats, digital controls and all that Jeep has to offer… You are gonna love it.  ‘Course, my age old question is…. Once, we get back from off-roading, scouting for elk, tramping off-road to our favorite fishing camp and all that we do, how do I just hose out the interior of my Wrangler?  I guess those days are gone forever….
Best of all about the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is that it is a vehicle that is still Iconic, still a rough and tumble, go anywhere and get you back from hunting, camping, fishing… excursion SUV. A Vehicle… that is dependable, fun and for years to come, ain’t gonna wuss out.