Jeep Wrangler launched at 2022 Bangkok Motor Show, Rubicon variant starts from RM 650k

Jeep is making a comeback in some Southeast Asian markets and Thailand is its next destination. Officially distributed by Belfort Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Jeep Thailand made its launch at the ongoing Bangkok International Motor Show 2022 (BIMS) with the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Available with either 2- or 4-doors, the Wrangler Rubicon starts from THB 5.19 million (~RM 650k) and is expected to be delivered to customers in the third quarter of 2022. The Thai-spec Wrangler is fully-imported (CBU) from Toledo, U.S.A.

The Toledo plant is considered the birthplace of Jeep as it has been churning out the legendary American off-roader since 1941. Outside of the States, the Wrangler is also assembled in India which has its own tribute to the Jeep in the form of the Mahindra Thar.

Back to the Thai-spec Wrangler and only one powertrain is offered which is a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 Hurricane engine (270 PS/400 Nm) that is paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Being the legendary off-roader that it is, the Wrangler Rubicon comes with the Rock-Trac four-wheel-drive (4WD) system and features an electronic locking differential. This allows the driver to lock either the rear differential alone or both front and rear differentials by toggling a switch.

Keeping up with the utilitarian look are the parts of the Wrangler that can be disassembled for those who want to conquer tough terrain. These include the doors, the roof, and the front windshield than can be folded down.

The Wrangler isn’t just catered for off-roading enthusiasts, for those who are seeking to only conquer the concrete jungle, Jeep claims that this generation is the most comfortable to be developed.

The Rubicon gets leather seats, an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, and 9 Alpine speakers so that even those urban warriors can live with the off-roading king.

Despite Jeep's parent company, Stellantis, looking to turn the Gurun plant to assemble more than just Peugeot models, it remains up in the air when the fabled 80-year-old American 4x4-maker will make its return into Malaysia.

Also read: Stellantis to build CKD Jeep models in Malaysia at Gurun plant, export to Thailand soon

In ASEAN, Jeep is currently sold in Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam according to Stellantis’ official website. Though grey importer TAHB Automotive claimed to represent Jeep in Malaysia back in 2020, they weren’t official Jeep distributors.