Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has gone and backed up its 2008 victory with a repeat in 2009>
To win Overlander magazine's annual Best Off-Road Vehicle Award is a formidable achievement. To win it in two consecutive years is nothing short of astonishing, given the rapid rate of technological development in 4WD technology. But the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon has done precisely that, backing up its 2008 victory with a repeat in 2009. This bears out the motto that there really is only one Jeep.
While many supposedly capable 4WD vehicles actually require expensive aftermarket work to equip them for the toughest challenges, you can drive the Rubicon home from the showroom and straight onto the most extreme trail you know. This ultimate Wrangler variant is named appropriately for the Rubicon Trail in California - just six miles (9.7 kilometres) in length, it takes two days of driving to traverse. Indeed, crossing the Rubicon Trail is a kind of contemporary equivalent to Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon River in 49 BC.
Jeep has always specialised in tough 4WD vehicles, so it is perhaps not so surprising that its most capable model should impress the Overlander judges. 'In many ways, the Rubicon is like an after-market modified vehicle except that the mods are carried out before rather than after you buy the vehicle,' said the magazine.
'With front and rear live axles and all-coil suspension, the Rubicon already has impressive suspension travel and articulation, but the sway-bar disconnect takes things to a whole new level,' said the Overlander team.
Since launch, the latest Jeep Wrangler has been an instant hit with Aussie off-road enthusiasts, firmly placing Australia as the number one Wrangler market for Jeep outside North America.
In addition to standard features on the Jeep Wrangler Sport the Rubicon model includes electric-disconnecting front sway bar, Rock-Trac? 4:1 part-time transfer case, heavy-duty Dana 44 front and rear axles, Tru-lok? locking front and rear differentials, 4.10 axle ratio, rock rails, 17-inch machined-cast aluminium wheels, three piece modular hard top, odour-resistant seat fabric and Infinity premium speakers and subwoofer.
The two-door Jeep Wrangler remains true to its heritage as the original, extreme fun-and-freedom machine and is the only 4x4 with multiple open-air options. It provides a fitting reminder that the name Jeep comes from General Purpose vehicle.
Other Jeep models to receive an honourable mention were the Grand Cherokee CRD for Best Medium Diesel Wagon and Grand Cherokee V8 for Best Medium Petrol Wagon.
The Overlander Heritage Overlander 4WD is Australia's original 4WD magazine having been in publication for more than 30 years, well before the demand for offroad and softroader vehicles had grown to its current high level. Overlander's 4WD Awards have been running since 2004 and command high respect throughout the industry.
