EXCLUSIVE! RUMOR: When The All-New, 2018 Jeep Wrangler Hits Showrooms There Will Be A SURPRISE...

Get ready, Spies. This one's hot off the figurative press.

According to sources, we've been informed of an interesting move that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will be making when the all-new, 2018 Jeep Wrangler makes its showroom debut. This is what we've been told.

When the 2018 model year Wrangler comes out, Jeep will continue building the last-gen Wrangler in the leftover space at the manufacturer's Toledo plant. That way, when Jeep loyalists walk into their local showroom there will essentially be two flavors of the Wrangler: The all-new Wrangler with the new look/feel and technology, and the old-school Wrangler that's back-to-basics.

At first when I heard this I thought it was silly. But, Agent 001 rewinded on me and shed some light on the matter. This would actually be a move from the company's playbook when it launched the all-new Grand Cherokee. Jeep, at the time, kept the Cherokee and dubbed it the Cherokee Classic. It was available at a much lower price point and kept the old technology. And the Cherokee Classic sold in droves.

That said, Spies, what do you make of this rumor? Would you rather have the all-new, 2018 MY Wrangler or the "classic?"

MDarringer - 12/10/2016 2:54:52 PM

0 Boost

Building both makes sense for transition.

Dexter1 - 12/10/2016 8:12:03 PM

0 Boost

I lease a 2014 Wrangler Unlimited Altitude Edition. If "classic" means keeping panel gaps that approach .5 inches; seat color stitching that doesn't match; sharp metal pieces poking out from body seams; rubber insulation pieces squeezing out from door openings; or dashboard panels that won't match up—I guess I'll look forward to leasing the "new" model. After all is said and done, I can't imagine life without my Jeep!

PUGPROUD - 12/10/2016 8:44:35 PM

0 Boost

Sounds like a sophisticated plot to justify higher prices of new model when sold next to previous generation. Just a thought...

Agent001 - 12/10/2016 9:02:13 PM

+3 Boost

Worked for BMW and Mercedes with 4-Series etc.

001

MDarringer - 12/11/2016 10:26:21 AM

+1 Boost

Given how rapidly the Wrangler sells, if they were to stop the current one and start the new one, the volume of the available product would suffer.

Typically, when a new vehicle is launched, the manufacturer does not go straight to full volume day one so as to catch any unanticipated glitches.

Quite frankly, I'd throw on an XJ Cherokee face on the current Wrangler, call it Commando, and rake in the profit.