JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON: The Rock on Four Wheels

We desperately searched on Google for a resort nearby and finalised on the Brigadier’s Plantation Retreat in Palwal in Haryana. Thankfully, this retreat allowed pets at no extra cost. Off we went for a day with our dog Maximus seated in the massive boot area. Mind you, this is not a sponsored video, we paid for our stay at the resort and we paid for our petrol that went into the massive four wheeler.

The moment we set our eyes on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon we were floored. The red coloured SUV looked stunning with its massive off road tyres.  But before I get into describing the vehicle let me tell you briefly about our stay at the Brigadier’s Plantation.

The Brigadiers Plantation Retreat is a luxurious ‘farm stay’ just about 60 to 70 km from Delhi. Depending on the traffic, it takes around one and a half hour to two hours to reach the spot. The luxury cottages, the premium luxury cottages and the luxury premium villa are built on 7 odd acres of land. The retreat owners have another 80 acres of land around it that is used for cultivation. There are around 14 cottages at present.

The plantation was originally owned by Brigadier Chandan Singh (AVSM). Brig. Chandan Singh was a World War II veteran, and retired as Director Military Farms. His name is mentioned in Guinness Book and in the Limca Book Of Records as the only officer to command four battalions at the same time. He had three daughters.

The farm inherited by his grandsons features colonial style stone bungalows adjoining a boating pond. There is no dearth of flora and fauna. We had booked the luxury premium villa and that meant we had three bedrooms and one massive dining area all to ourselves. Food was strictly vegetarian.

Each of the rooms is done up tastefully with paintings and artifacts. Even as you step outside on the expansive lawns, you will find an artistic touch to the surroundings. The trees and plants are well taken care of, the lawns are mowed to perfection and there is plenty of space for your pet to run and explore. In fact, the retreat offers a nature trail where one can walk through thick vegetation and the best time to do this is early morning just when the sun is about to peep its head out.  In winters you can do this any time.

JEEP WRANGLER RUBICON EXTERIOR

Against the majestic background, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon looked exemplary. It has Premium LED round headlamps, LED fog lamps, LED tail lamps and daytime running lights on the fender as well. The lights continue to have the rugged “bolt-on” look that’s been characteristic of Jeep brand vehicles for decades. It’s a different thing that this design, besides several others have been copied shamelessly by competitors in the country.

The massive hood has two vents that cool the engine. To open the bonnet, you don’t have to tug at any lever from the driver side inside; rather it can be opened up by unlocking the two lever kind of locks on either side of the bonnet. In short, anyone can open the bonnet to take a peek inside. Once it is opened, it can either be locked in its position using the bonnet rod or you can simply rest it on the windscreen frame. I must admit, it’s pretty heavy to handle. Not to be missed are the seven-slot grille and flat fender flares.

The Wrangler can go topless and door less, provided you open several bolts. We did not try that out as we were hard pressed for time. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon gets 255/75R17 tyres.

INTERIOR

Getting into the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon takes a bit of an effort. I felt it was a bit high for elderly people to step inside the vehicle. Maybe this one did not have the side steps. But once you are inside you realise the seats are well padded and well designed. The driver’s seat gets a two-way lumbar adjustment. The rear seats too offer enough comfort and leg room. It comes with an 8.4 inches Uconnect touchscreen. It has a push button start.

You also get a 7 inches driver Information Digital Cluster Display that allows you to view key driving data You can keep track of active safety and security features, vehicle speed, Navigation, radio information and more. The steering wheel is sporty and comes with controls. The steering wheel can be adjusted for tilt as well as reach. Just behind the steering wheel on the wheel itself you get controls for volume as well as for radio channel change.

Dual USB ports are located in the media hub in the console. An extra port is located in the centre armrest. Additional USB ports are available for rear seat access.

The wash-out interior features all-new, one-way drain valves on the floor to let the water flow out but not back in. Just remove the carpet and you can wash out the interior with a hose.

PERFORMANCE

The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has an all new 2.0L GME T4 (ESS) petrol engine that generates 268 Horsepower with 400Nm of Torque at 3000 rpm This 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine is available on the Jeep Wrangler and is equipped with engine Start-Stop and 8-Speed Automatic Transmission. It further gets a Rock-Trac 4x4 system and Tru-Lok differentials. The Rock-Trac 4x4 System is supposed to provide a ground pounding grip while the Selec-Trac full-time 4x4 System gives you more flexibility and efficiency.

The Selec-Trac 4x4 System allows you to manually switch from 2WD to 4WD when conditions dictate. Relying on internal wheel speed and traction control sensors, Selec-Trac makes driving in uneven terrains and inclement weather safer. The Rock-Trac 4x4 System is supposed to offer impressive control and torque for unbeatable off-road performance. With a 4:1 low gear ratio, Tru-Lok electronic locking front and rear differentials and an electronic front sway bar disconnect, it’s always ready for the off-road. Sadly we did not have time to test it one some tough terrains.

Every Wrangler has skid plates to help protect critical components. Heavy-gauge steel skid plates defend important equipment like the fuel tank and transfer case, while a skid bar helps safeguard the automatic transmission oil pan. As for other safety features, it comes with an advanced front and side airbag system and high-strength steel beams that improve side-impact performance and vehicle stiffness.

The All-New Wrangler offers All-Speed Traction Control with special calibration for driving in 4LO, a Brake Assist System and a Four-Wheel Disc antilock Brake System (ABS).It also has ParkView Rear Back Up Camera combined with the 8.4 inches Uconnect touchscreen

At Rs 60.35 lakh ex showroom, the vehicle may seem a lot expensive, especially when you look at some of the copied models out there. But the fact is that this is a five-door, has a very solid build, is spacious, offers great seating comfort and has an engine that can take you literally on any terrain. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is meant for those who are not only well off, but who also need to cross treacherous terrains once too often as part of their adventurous liefestyle. But despite all its terrific features, I wondered why the vehicle does not offer a dead pedal. I would have liked one, especially when one is driving on highway roads. I missed that sorely. But there is no denying the fact that this Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is one rock of a vehicle on four wheels!