ROAD TEST ~ JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED RUBICON

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon: For when the going gets tough

"Sorry, I hit a puddle," the guy from Chrysler admitted somewhat sheepishly.
I'd watched him return from the car wash, the iconic Jeep shape recognizable from a distance, the deep shade of Red Rock Crystal Pearl glistening and shimmering in the light as he neared.
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited's squared-off profile was polished and near picture-perfect.
Umm, except for the mud splashed up the driver's side door.
"Don't worry about it," I grinned. "That's just the beginning."
Because, as soon as I spotted that splash of mud, it occurred to me that, instead of the usual pristine poses, it would be more photographically fitting to take shots of the Jeep in its natural element.
Dirty pictures, so to speak.
Dirt seems to be magnetically attracted to Jeeps. Which is understandable when you consider the brand's off-road pedigree, and the 70 year bloodline of this battlefield-born, all-purpose sport ute.
The Jeep Wrangler is easily recognized as the "classic Jeep". The "Unlimited" name, attached to a particular type of Jeep, refers to the recent addition of a stretched-out, four-dour version that first debuted as a 2007 model at the New York auto show, four years ago.
At first glance, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited might not be considered particularly unique since, despite its larger dimensions, it meticulously follows the old formula and traditional styling cues of the original two-door.
But Chrysler boasts that it is the only four-door, five-passenger SUV convertible on the market. And that specialized, SUV market, with true off-road emphasis, is fast becoming a monopoly, thanks to the thinning of the ranks - the diminishment of HUMMER and the uncertain future of Toyota's FJ Cruiser.
With more room for passengers and payload, the four-door formula seems to be working. In fact, I'd come to believe that I was seeing more Jeep Wrangler Unlimited four-doors out there than original two-door versions.
So, in an exacting scientific study, counting Jeeps spotted on the road whenever I sort of remembered to do so, I came up with a two-week tally - 42 two-door models compared to 26 four-door versions.
Okay, so I was wrong.
But considering the short time that four-door Unlimiteds have actually been available, that's still a pretty impressive showing.
"Sixty percent of the Jeep Wranglers we currently sell are four-door Unlimited models," confirmed Daniel Labre, Chrysler Canada's National Product and Marketing Communications Manager. "And just this past March, we sold 1,160 units, an increase of 81 per cent compared with March 2009."
For 2010, Jeep has added equipment upgrades across the Wrangler Unlimited lineup. A new and improved Sunrider soft top, which includes a "sun roof" and full top-down option, makes it easier to remove the roof for that open-air experience.
A Freedom Top three-piece modular hard top with removable panels is also available.
Fog lamps, tow hooks, and a compass and outside temperature readout are now standard across the lineup. Jeep has also reworked the dome lamp, installed bigger sliding sun visors with mirrors, adjusted the exterior colour palette and, among option packages, is offering new wheel styles and a Uconnect phone and navigation system.
Oh, and there's also a "fuel-saver indicator that provides drivers with continuous feedback on fuel consumption." It's basically a little Eco light that comes on when you're decelerating.
Boy, that's some technology.
If Jeep was really interested in fuel economy, they'd explore the range-extended electric version they debuted in 2008, or bring over the 2.8-litre diesel that they offer in Europe and other markets. But, with the demise of the diesel in the Liberty, and with Fiat cleaning house, there's not much chance of either happening.
What the 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited does have under the hood is the familiar 3.8-litre V6 engine making 202 hp and 237 lb/ft.
Those numbers sound diminutive, considering the Unlimited's 1957 kg curb weight but the old OHV V6 responded with a roar and I enjoyed it, probably because I was making the most of the power through a long-throw six-gear manual tranny that chucks delightfully into gear and vibrates at speed like a drunk at a revival meeting.
This is just part of the Jeep's trucky persona, along with the iconic rough edges - the traditional round headlamps, the folding windshield, the exposed hinges, heck, even the overall old-fashioned, boxy utilitarian body shape that remains as aerodynamic as an outhouse.
But, as everyone knows, in a kind of reverse snobbery, Jeep owners wouldn't have it any other way.
The top-of-the-line Rubicon model that I tested went a long way to smoothing some of the rougher edges with two-tone slate gray leather seating, an upgraded audio and navigation system and all the bells and whistles expected in a modern SUV.
Most importantly, when it finally came to getting down and dirty, the 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was equipped with Dana 44 heavy-duty front and rear axles, a 4.10 axle ratio, an Off-Road Rock-Trac NV241 two-speed transfer case, electric front- and rear-axle lockers, a button-operated electronic sway-bar disconnect that allows for more wheel travel off-road, and big, knobby 255/75/17 Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A tires.
This combination of bush-bashing technologies leaves you clucking at just how much trouble you can get into and out of.
Eventually, though, the fun came to an end and, as the mother of any five-year old will tell you, it's a lot harder to get mud off than to it is to put it on.
But, after thumbing a handful of twoonies into the spray 'n wash and interminable rinses, I had removed about ten kilos of mud, gravel and clumps of sod, and the renewed 2010 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited was ready for its return to Chrysler Canada.
It was shiny and clean, chrome glinting, bodywork gleaming like a newly-minted penny.
Now, if only I hadn't hit that puddle on the way back . . .

BODY STYLE: Four-door sport utility.
DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, part-time four-wheel-drive.
ENGINE: 3.8-litre OHV V6 (202 hp, 237 lb-ft of torque).
FUEL ECONOMY: 14.1/10.8L/100km (city/hwy) (manual); as tested 14.9L/100km (combined).
PRICE: 2010 Jeep Unlimited starts at $24,495.
2010 Jeep Unlimited Rubicon starts at $30,995.