off-road ability

It won’t be coming here until the start of next year, but Jeep has lifted the lid on its first facelift for the current Wrangler. This promises new looks from a revised grille as well as further safety and infotainment tech and, most importantly, improved off-road ability.

Leading the charge, the Rubicon gains new options allowing it to be pre-modified for use with bigger tyres. These include 100:1 overall gearing in low range, as well as a new fully floating Dana 44 heavyduty rear axle (above) – and in the US, the vehicle can now be ordered with a factory-fitted Warn winch.

There will also be a new Rubicon X model with 35” tyres as standard. This also gains an integrated offroad camera system as well as steel bumpers – the latter meaning it’s likely to join the long list of things we can’t have in Britain.

More likely to come here is the new Willys model (below), which appears to be a halfway house on the way to full Rubicon spec. This is equipped with 33” tyres, steel rock rails and a rear locker as well as heavy-duty electrics including pre-wiring for towing lights. Crucially for the UK market, it will be available in 4xe plug-in hybrid form.

While the revised Wrangler looks broadly the same as the current model, its seven-slot grille has been tweaked to give it a new identity and there’ll be a wide range of new wheel designs to set it apart. Inside, too, the changes are modest but significant – the Uconnect 5 media offering promises to be faster and more powerful than the current system, and front and rear curtain airbags help make the vehicle safer to travel in. As always, the view from a sky-high driving position is the most valuable safety feature any car can have.

For the US market, the Wrangler will be available with the existing 2.0, 3.6 and 6.4-litre petrol engines, as well as the plug-in 4xe powertrain. Details of the European version are due to be announced in the last quarter of 2023; as the company moves towards full electrification across its range, our money would be on this mid-life update coinciding with the end of traditional petrol power as an option in the UK.

SSANGYONG HAS UNVEILED A REFRESHED MUSSO LINE-UP, with a revised chassis and a new Saracen+ halo model at the top of the range. This replaces the Rhino, which ran for just under three years after being introduced in the first half of 2020.

Like the Rhino, the Saracen+ is a long-bed model with an extra 12” of cargo length. This is all in the wheelbase and rear overhang, meaning cabin space remains unchanged.

A major difference to the Rhino, however, is that instead of leaf springs the Saracen+ uses dual coils at the back, with independent double wishbones up front. This new, upgraded set-up is also used across the rest of the range, which retains the ability to tow the legal limit of 3500kg while also carrying its maximum payload of more than 1000kg.

Power continues to be provided by the familiar 2.2-litre e-XDi220 engine, now with 202bhp at 3800rpm and 325lbf.ft from 1600rpm. This is mated to a six-speed automatic transmissions on all variants apart from the EX, which continues to be the entry-level model in a four-strong range.

Spec highlights of the EX include air-conditioning, automatic headlights and wipers, DAB/ Bluetooth and a new design of 17” alloy wheels. As you move up the range, the Rebel model adds faux-leather seats, both heated and ventilated up front, heated steering wheel, triple LED front fogs, roof rails, side steps and an 8” infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a rear-view reversing camera.

At the top of the standard-length line-up, the Saracen gains a black exterior pack, newly designed 18” black alloys, Nappa leather seats, power adjustable on both sides up front, heated rear seats, dual-zone climate cruise, all-round parking sensors and a 9.2” media system including navigation. This also adds projection headlamps, an upgraded instrument panel, rear privacy glass and additional active safety features.

Beyond this, the Saracen+ mirrors the Saracen’s equipment while adding a greater payload and improved ground clearance. Its longer pick-up bed comes plastic lined to protect it when carrying heavy or abrasive loads; in SsangYong’s own words, it is ‘undoubtedly a must try for anyone looking for a capable utility vehicle.’

Prices for the new Musso range start at £25,140 on the road (but not including VAT) for the EX. Add the dreaded and you’re looking at £30,093. The Rebel and Saracen push this to £29,140 and £32,540 respectively (or £34,893 and £38,973 including VAT), while the Saracen+ tops the bill at £33,790 – that’s £40,473 once the taxman’s had his cut. The only extra is metallic paint, which adds £575 plus VAT. At a time when the waiting lists on some models remain demoralising to say the least, SsangYong says it has stock available for immediate delivery.