California, USA – It’s pretty quick. Zero to sixty (miles, that is) in just over eight seconds. Not bad for a Jeep Wrangler, but alas, not quick enough to make its way to showrooms in South Africa – well, not just yet anyway.

Chrysler released its 2012 Jeep Wrangler range and invited international motoring writers to test its prowess on one of the most challenging off road trails – the famed Rubicon Trail here in California recently, showcasing its new 3.6-litre Pentastar motor and five-speed combination transmission.

On road or off road the new 4×4 achieves everything its intended to:  improved fuel economy, additional power boost and a smoother, much more refined acoustic  - “that noise you want to show off to your friends” – under the hood

It’s easy to describe the legendary four-wheel drive capability just like as any off roader would but this powerhouse is not just an awesome bushwhacker and rock crawler – slot it back to 2 wheel drive and even grandma can take it for a spin, such is the ease of the new refined mechanics under the hood.

Grand Cherokee owners will instantly recognize the mechanics in the Wrangler range. Well, it’s from the successful Cherokee that the Chrysler lads adapted the 2012 Wranglers, pumping its delivery from a somewhat modest 155kW to a 220kW stable and 352Nm of torque compared to the 2011 model – all the while still maintaining lower fuel consumption.

In addition Chrysler took the new Wrangler range a notch up with the introduction of a manual transmission for the Pentastar V6 – a first for the Auburn Hills, Michigan company.

Depending on the driver, it notches an impressive eight seconds or about in 0-100km/h boasting an impressive 25-percent improvement time.  The new automatic box boasts a lower first-gear ratio giving the Wrangler more off-road capability through a lower overall crawl ratio.

I’ve often wondered why manufacturers showcase new vehicles to a pack of motoring hacks – more so on one of the most demanding and toughest off trails in the world. But it’s easy to grasp why: it has something to do with the utmost confidence in product. After all, can you imagine the sheer embarrassment should even one of the 14 or so test vehicles fail or get bogged in the rocky crevices or even worse have to make a return trip behind a recovery vehicle?  Chrysler was confident of its sure bet and was not afraid to show it off.

I was fortunate to have Chrysler’s chief engineer Tony Petit as a driving partner on part of the test drive so I got to know the vehicle from a real insider.

The all-aluminum motor replaces the former 3.8-litre iron block dropping its weight by some 15 kilos. An acoustic engine cover is a new feature and not only is aimed at improving under hood aesthetics but its consumption too – depending on the vehicle, around 11.2 litres/100km on the open road.

A new upper and lower intake are also unique components that go into the new models primarily as a result of re-packaging the under hood environment including optimizing the flow- characteristics of the intake manifold for improved torque response. A unique front end accessory drive and most notably a high mounted rear facing alternator – again repackaging -  is introduced allowing for a 0.76 metre wade depth: “we need to keep this puppy high and dry,” Petit says.

An improved exhaust system is introduced in addition to a resonator and a larger capacity muffler compared to the 2011 system is aimed at reducing back pressured by just over 20%  – a big improvement, Petit adds.

The introduction of a five speed automatic box allows drivers to manually select gears through the electronic range select by toggling the shift lever from left to right – a Grand Cherokee feature – while the manual transmission is largely a carry-over from 2011 with some unique adaptions, specifically new flywheel, clutch and assembly housing.

Chrysler’s aim was for overall improved performance – on and off road with a better fuel consumption either through sand, mud or snow with high rpm with improved crawl ratios and with its host of Rubicon attributes its renowned rock trac, front and rear lockers and sway bar disconnect – it’s certain to be a winner.

Chrysler says the Jeep Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited will continue to be available in its four popular models – Rubicon, Sahara, Sport and Sport S, complete with its legendary life axles, electronic lockers and five-link suspension system. I was one of five South African motoring scribes fortunate to take the wheel of the Rubicon on the famed treacherous trail namesake and was impressed by its road handing especially when navigating rocky inclines or descending boulders, let’s rather call it oversized mini mountains. I never had needed to be afraid. The vehicle took care of everything.

The new Jeep Wranglers will soon make its way to dealerships here in the United States and perhaps elsewhere around the world by year’s end, however, there is yet no indication when South Africans will be in the drivers’ seat of the new models.

While Chrysler is yet to release a price range while many have asked the question: “But where is the diesel?”