The Jeep Wrangler Polar has been unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show.
A special edition based on the standard four-door Wrangler Sahara model, the US brand says the Jeep Wrangler Polar “takes its cue from the severe climate and extreme conditions that characterise the Antarctic region”.
Rather than simply fitting the car with a more powerful air-conditioning unit, Jeep has painted the Wrangler Polar ‘Hydro Blue’ and fitted it with badges bearing the coordinates 78°S/106°E that correspond to the location of Vostok, Antarctica – the site of the coldest ever recorded temperature of -89.2 degrees celsius.
Powered by the standard 147kW/460Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, available with either an automatic or a manual transmission, the Jeep Wrangler Polar is equipped with a Dana 30 front-axle and Dana 44 rear-axle, while the two-speed transfer case has a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio. An anti-spin rear differential that directs torque to whichever wheel has the most traction during off-roading expeditions, also comes as standard.
The Polar edition comes with a gloss black grille, body-coloured hardtop roof and hard spare-tyre cover and 18-inch gloss black wheels. A bonnet decal depicting a mountain range is also included, to help remind drivers about the sort of terrain the Wrangler is capable of tackling.
Inside, black heated leather seats come with contrasting white stitching and ‘Polar’ embroidery on the backrests. A white-stiched armrest and floor console lid join a gloss white passenger-side dashboard grab-handle and dashboard air vent surrounds.
Additional features include blue-faced instrument dials, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, cruise control and a 6.5-inch infotainment screen.
Fiat Chrysler Australia director of corporate affairs Karla Leach told CarAdvice the Jeep Wrangler Polar will make it to local shores by the second quarter of 2014, however, pricing will not be announced until closer to the car’s launch.