Exclusive JPFreek spy photos of the 2018 JL Wrangler in JLU form shot this morning by the big Freek.
Nothing makes running errands in your 1977 Cherokee S better than coming across a heavily camouflaged JLU at the Speedway!
Obviously keeping the drivers side fuel filler and having filled it with gas (not diesel), this 2018 JL Wrangler was sitting idling with the driver waiting for his buddy to get an armload of Twinkies and energy drinks.
The driver didn’t seem to mind us taking photos and even waved before the photography started, quickly trying to get as many angles as possible before it took off at a high rate of speed. The taillights appear to have some Renegade-esque design to them, maybe with more of the “X” we’ve seen from Jeep.
Tried a high angle to see about any Freedom panels or a sunroof over the rear seats, but we only see some (rather larger looking) front seat Freedom panels with which we’ve become familiar. This angle also shows how large the JL Wrangler running boards are compared to the ones on our ’08 JKU.
This JL has a significant and obvious hood bulge, but the idle had the typical quiet Pentastar-like sound. No Hellcat JL Wrangler here, unfortunately (and no diesel unless they made a stupendous screwup filling it up.) We’re straining to see any bulge below the windshield for a hinge to indicate that the windshield folds, but don’t think we can say either way.
Good shot through the grille cover to see the two-tone fender flare light and what looks to be the same grille we saw on the few EJS concepts.
The wheels are an interesting take on past designs, with larger openings and some contour to the spokes that we find very pleasing. Again, the hood bulge is clear. Hopefully that hood is making way for some serious power in the form of a Hellcat Hemi and the long-awaited diesel. The mirrors are enclosed in some seriously bulky boxes. Apparently the JL Wrangler mirrors are super-secret.
A closer shot of the different design and wider running boards. None of our angles showed them very well, but the front and rear grab handles are rather massive and should be welcome additions to the interior of the JL for the shorter folks (and those that add serious lifts.)
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