Jeep release Wrangler Unlimited Willys
Jeep Australia are kicking off local celebrations for the brand’s 80th Anniversary this year with the release of a limited-edition model - the Wrangler Unlimited Willys.
Based on the 4-door Wrangler Unlimited Night Eagle, the Willys is a tribute to the 1948 Willys Overland CJ-3A – one of the earliest civilian Jeeps.
“The Jeep Willys Overland CJ-3A is an off-road icon and we’re excited to offer a modern model to the market that features an array of 4x4 upgrades and unique styling that honours the Jeep heritage,” said Guillaume Drelon, Jeep Australia Director, Brand & Product Strategy.
The limited-edition’s cosmetic features start with the gloss blackout finish for the grille and 17-inch Moab alloy wheels. Identifying ‘Willys’ decals have been added to the bonnet, with an old-school ‘4 Wheel Drive’ decal on the spare wheel swing gate.
Inside, the instrument panel gets a platinum silver finish and all-weather slush mats are fitted in the footwells.
In terms of mechanical updates, the Wrangler Unlimited Willys takes a leaf from the CJ-3A’s upgrades over the CJ-2A, adding a stronger Dana M220 rear axle and anti-spin rear diff from the Wrangler Rubicon for improved capability in low grip situations.
Available colours include Bright White, Black, Sting Grey and Sarge Green.
Beyond these additions, the Wrangler Unlimited Willys is as per the Wrangler Unlimited Night Eagle, meaning a 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and the Selec-Trac on-demand four-wheel drive system.
The Night Eagle’s complement of protection, safety and driver assistance technologies carry over to the Willys, too, including underbody protection, black wheelarch flares, Selec-Speed Control, STFA tyre pressure monitoring, an 8.4-inch Uconnect centre touchscreen, 7.0-inch instrument display, Alpine sound system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, remote starting, a security alarm, tinted windows and a hardtop headliner.
Pricing of $61,941 is a $991 premium over the $60,950 Night Eagle (+ORCs) that this limited edition is based on. Only 130 units of the Wrangler Unlimited Willys will be released in Australia, with Jeep dealers taking orders now ahead of an April delivery.
See your Jeep dealer for more details.
