Jeep lobs swansong JK Wrangler special editions

JEEP has commemorated the end of its JK Wrangler lifecycle with the arrival of two special-edition variants that draw inspiration from Jeep’s military history and a popular model from the 1980s.

Based on the Sport variant, the two models – dubbed Golden Eagle and Freedom – will likely be the last iteration of the JK Wrangler be offered in Australia before the all-new JL-series arrives at the end of the year.

The Golden Eagle harks back to the iconic Golden Eagle Wranglers of the 1970s and 80s.

Limited to 120 units in Australia, the Golden Eagle will be offered in both two- and four-door body style with the choice of a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Pricing kicks off from $42,990 plus on-road costs for the manual two door, and tops out at $49,490 for the four-door auto.

Prices have increased by $4000 for the two-door versions over the donor vehicle, while the four door commands a $4500 premium.

Trainspotters can distinguish the Golden Eagle by its eagle bonnet decal, tan-coloured soft-top roof, body-coloured fender flares and 18-inch bronze painted aluminium wheels.

Other goodies on the Golden Eagle include tinted rear windows, bronze accented grille throats, Jeep badge and headlight rings and rock rails.

Inside, it scores a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Alpine speaker system, black cloth interior with light bronze accent stitching and Golden Eagle logo on the front seats, all-weather slush mats, and painted accents on the grab handles, steering wheel bezels and air-conditioning vent rings.

The second special edition, dubbed the Freedom, serves as a nod to the Wrangler’s military ancestry and features a number of touches that set it apart from the Sport.

Unlike the Golden Eagle, the Freedom is offered in automatic-only guise, and at $43,990 for the two door and $48,290 for the four door, the Freedom commands a price hike of $3000 and $3300, respectively. Just 150 units will be available in Australia.

The Freedom is distinguished by Freedom star decals on the bonnet and rear quarter panel, bold granite crystal painted grille, body colour fender flares, black grille throats and headlamp rings, rock rails and 18-inch granite crystal alloy wheels.

Inside, the Freedom gains black McKinley leather/vinyl/cloth interior trim with silver accents and stitched Jeep logo, vinyl front door armrests and centre console lid, iron grey painted interior accents, all-weather slush mats, satin chrome painted steering wheel bezels and ‘Oscar Mike’ logos inside and out, in reference to the military phonetic alphabet that stands for ‘On the Move’, which Jeep says represents the Wrangler’s go-anywhere attitude.

All variants are powered by Jeep’s 209kW/347Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine, and are equipped with Jeep’s Command-Trac 4x4 traction control system.

2018 Jeep Wrangler special edition pricing*

Golden Eagle
2dr	$42,990
2dr (a)	$44,990
4dr	$47,490
4dr (a)	$49,490
Freedom
2dr (a)	$43,990
4dr (a)	$48,290

*Excludes on-road costs