NMBruce
Adventurer
The writing is on the wall, Jeep & the Wrangler have to become more fuel efficient no matter what we think.
Jeep is looking at a small Jeep to help overall MPG.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/116565-2015-Jeepster-speculation
Jeep is looking at a
IFS & IRS for the next Wrangler
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/118076-Really-Independent-Suspension-******
http://www.expeditionportal.com/news/2524-2016-jk-may-not-roll-on-solid-axles.html
So what is Jeep to do to get to the 2016 MPG standards? There is a big jump
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-automakers-will-meet-2016-cafe-standards
Many people say they don't want Jeep to change the Wrangler, but how many would pay the extra cost if Jeep has to charge a gas guzzler tax on all new Wranglers?
Right now, with my 2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with 3.73 gears and 5speed auto, I avg 18.6 mpg overall, with 16-17 around town and 19-22 on the road. After adding a 2.5" MetalCloak lift, the MPG has not been affected, but I don't have bigger tires or heavier bumpers. At this MPG, I am doing better than most, but not close to the CAFE standards for a 2013 car or truck.
So would a;
1) 8 speed transmission help? Keeping the engine at lower RPM when going down the highway, but would it still be enough to keep the Wrangler moving with it brick shape.
2) diesel? More torque for off road, better MPG (maybe not as good as Europe's diesels)
3) both above added together, but I am sure Jeep has looked at this, and I am sure a lot of people have no desire to own an oil burner?
4) body work changes, they are coming, it takes fuel to move a brick through the air. I see the front grill and windshield getting raked back. As for the fold down front window, great idea, but I bet it is a very small percentage of people who would ever put it down, say goodby. Outside mirrors getting smaller or re-shaped, every little bit helps. Fenders, do they get added into the body, to clean up the lines? What about the back of the Wrangler, no idea here?
5) what about keeping the solid axles and adding a skid plate setup to move the air under the Jeep move efficiently?
6) taller skinnier, less rolling resistance tires ? Why not, a large number of people change them out right after getting their Wrangler and we are just talking about Jeep MPG, not yours.
I would guess Jeep is looking at a lot of ideas, but What's you idea to help Jeep get to 2016 CAFE standards?????
I would like to see the Wrangler change a little if it has to change, but I think what you see today is gone. Will the new Wrangler be worst? Or better? I don't know. I am 99% sure that many will say it's not really a Jeep/Wrangler anymore, just like the CJ group said about the YJ (real Jeeps have round headlights), and so on.
I will keep an open mind and what to see what Jeep comes up with. My 2013 is 7 months old and has 16000 miles on it, I would love to see 30 mpg on the highway, but I want to be able to go off the beaten path and see a different part of America. My Jeep today, let's me do that, so time will tell.
Jeep is looking at a small Jeep to help overall MPG.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/116565-2015-Jeepster-speculation
Jeep is looking at a
IFS & IRS for the next Wrangler
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/118076-Really-Independent-Suspension-******
http://www.expeditionportal.com/news/2524-2016-jk-may-not-roll-on-solid-axles.html
So what is Jeep to do to get to the 2016 MPG standards? There is a big jump
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-automakers-will-meet-2016-cafe-standards
Many people say they don't want Jeep to change the Wrangler, but how many would pay the extra cost if Jeep has to charge a gas guzzler tax on all new Wranglers?
Right now, with my 2013 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with 3.73 gears and 5speed auto, I avg 18.6 mpg overall, with 16-17 around town and 19-22 on the road. After adding a 2.5" MetalCloak lift, the MPG has not been affected, but I don't have bigger tires or heavier bumpers. At this MPG, I am doing better than most, but not close to the CAFE standards for a 2013 car or truck.
So would a;
1) 8 speed transmission help? Keeping the engine at lower RPM when going down the highway, but would it still be enough to keep the Wrangler moving with it brick shape.
2) diesel? More torque for off road, better MPG (maybe not as good as Europe's diesels)
3) both above added together, but I am sure Jeep has looked at this, and I am sure a lot of people have no desire to own an oil burner?
4) body work changes, they are coming, it takes fuel to move a brick through the air. I see the front grill and windshield getting raked back. As for the fold down front window, great idea, but I bet it is a very small percentage of people who would ever put it down, say goodby. Outside mirrors getting smaller or re-shaped, every little bit helps. Fenders, do they get added into the body, to clean up the lines? What about the back of the Wrangler, no idea here?
5) what about keeping the solid axles and adding a skid plate setup to move the air under the Jeep move efficiently?
6) taller skinnier, less rolling resistance tires ? Why not, a large number of people change them out right after getting their Wrangler and we are just talking about Jeep MPG, not yours.
I would guess Jeep is looking at a lot of ideas, but What's you idea to help Jeep get to 2016 CAFE standards?????
I would like to see the Wrangler change a little if it has to change, but I think what you see today is gone. Will the new Wrangler be worst? Or better? I don't know. I am 99% sure that many will say it's not really a Jeep/Wrangler anymore, just like the CJ group said about the YJ (real Jeeps have round headlights), and so on.
I will keep an open mind and what to see what Jeep comes up with. My 2013 is 7 months old and has 16000 miles on it, I would love to see 30 mpg on the highway, but I want to be able to go off the beaten path and see a different part of America. My Jeep today, let's me do that, so time will tell.