Jeep’s Most Badass Wrangler of the Year (So Far) Tempts with an Authoritative Off-Road Overhaul

Between an ongoing Twelve 4 Twelve rollout and a concurrent Convoy campaign, Jeep has been spinning up special editions at an unprecedented rate.

While this means the brand has treated us to a variety of eye-catching releases, like the plaid-packed 85th Anniversary model and the throwback-inspired Wrangler Rewind, they’re still primarily appearance packages. 

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For this reason, Jeep’s latest release is a true standout. Being a limited-run model that actually brings functional upgrades as part of an authoritative off-road-focused overhaul, it’s easily the most badass Wrangler to go on sale so far this year.

An adventure-inspired Rubicon

Jeep is calling it the Trail Hunt Edition, a treatment based on the Wrangler Rubicon that the brand says was inspired by Indiana Jones. Now, unfortunately for most readers, it’s only destined for South Korea.

Stellantis

Regardless of its market allocation, though, it’s a rig worth appreciating because of its included equipment. Jeep wasn’t afraid to raid the parts bin when outfitting this special version with its adventure-ready digs.

As such, in addition to a two-inch Jeep Performance Parts lift kit, the Trail Hunt also benefits from some beadlocks and extended fender flares. From the factory, the Rubicon comes with a towering 10.8 inches of ground clearance, and these changes free up room for even more rubber. 

The upgraded wheels and taller stature aren’t the only things Jeep’s Trail Hunt Edition brings to the table. As part of the treatment, the brand includes other trail fixtures in the form of a roof rack for extra storage and a side ladder to facilitate access.

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Add to that smaller touches like a front air deflector, a set of Mopar off-road performance windshield wipers, and some slick Moab graphics, and the package is made only better when you consider everything that it builds on with the Rubicon trim.

Building on a solid foundation

After all, Jeep’s trail-ready Wrangler already packs a ton of appeal as an off-the-shelf 4×4. These adventure-ready fittings merely expedite upgrades that many enthusiasts would elect to fit once they’ve delved deeper into the ownership experience.

For instance, along with a RockTrac 4:1 part-time transfer case, it brings a Dana 44 front axle, TruLok front and rear locking differentials and an electronic front sway-bar disconnect.

What’s more, springing for the Rubicon trim brings plenty of practical upgrades, including LED lighting, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a water-resistant cloth interior for easy cleaning. It’s not just an exercise in fitting off-road protection like skid plates and rock sliders.

As such, because the Trail Hunt Edition is motivated by Jeep’s 272-horsepower  turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, it makes for a surprisingly well-rounded vehicle. In combination with the eight-speed automatic, it brings more torque than the standard V6 while also delivering better fuel economy. 

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Availability and pricing

Jeep will only be offering the Trail Hunt Edition for South Korea, and that’s not the only way it’s set to be an exclusive Wrangler. In keeping with some past LE releases, just 20 of these Rubicons will be available in total, priced from ₩95.7 million (roughly $65,000).

If it’s any consolation for enthusiasts in the States, Stellantis launched the Mopar parts program last year to help facilitate this kind of customization. Moreover, seeing as six further Twelve 4 Twelve releases are on the horizon, there’s still plenty of time for Jeep to up the ante.

Stellantis

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Trail Hunt Edition

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