It’s been 20 years since Jeep introduced the Rubicon badge, named after the fabled off-road trail in California, to represent the top-spec versions of the brand’s off-roaders. Developed as an underground project led by a small group of Jeep engineers who visualised an off-road-focused Wrangler that is factory equipped with all the popular aftermarket upgrades and backed by a full warranty. The programme resulted in the 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the most capable production off-road vehicle in the world at the time. To celebrate two decades of the iconic nameplate, Jeep has announced the Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions, which are the most capable Wranglers yet.
Unveiled at the recent Chicago auto show, the Wrangler Rubicon 20th Anniversary editions feature a new seven-slot grille, bead-lock-capable wheels, an 83-piece tool kit, a triple hoop grille guard, steel bumpers, a half-inch suspension lift, and exclusive 20th Anniversary decals among other modifications. Available on both the 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 4xe and 2023 Wrangler Rubicon 392, the 20th Anniversary special upgrades also include Level II upfit by American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) with 37-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres, leading to an impressive 14.2 inches of ground clearance, 37.1 inches water fording, 50-degree approach angle, 33-degree break-over angle and 43-degree departure angle.
The Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary is powered by a 375-horsepower, and 470-lb.ft. plug-in hybrid powertrain and delivers 21 miles of all-electric range and a hushed off-road experience. Meanwhile, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary is powered by a 470-horsepower 470-lb.ft. V8, and goes from standstill to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and hits a quarter mile in just 13.0 seconds, making it the quickest and most powerful Wrangler yet. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary edition also gets an exclusive Mopar-designed and factory-installed onboard air compressor, which is a first for a Wrangler.
The cabin of the 20th Anniversary editions also gets special treatment such as exclusive red-and-black leather seats, red leather-wrapped instrument panel bolster, a special swing gate plaque and a shifter medallion. The special editions are available in nine exterior colours, including Earl, Firecracker Red, Punk’n, Hydro Blue, Sarge Green, Silver Zynith, Sting Gray, black and Bright White, with a special Granite Crystal colour option available exclusively for the 4xe version.
The limited run of the Wrangler Rubicon 4xe 20th Anniversary and Wrangler Rubicon 392 20th Anniversary are priced at $69,585 and $90,895, respectively. Production of the anniversary models is scheduled to begin at the brand’s Toledo Assembly Complex this quarter, with vehicles set to be delivered in Q2 of 2023.
