What: Jeep Wrangler launch
Where: The back blocks south-west of Te Puke
On sale: From March 20
Price: $39,990 - $55,990
About: Jeep's iconic Wrangler - arguably its most recognisable vehicle, and the one others try to ape - has grown up. Literally, for it now also comes with a family-friendly five doors and a mini-Hummer persona that's likely to appeal to the big kid in all of us.
Most importantly, it's still the superlative off-roader we've come to know and love. Forget the trend to soften SUVs, Chrysler has chosen to stick with the basic recipe - square lines, exaggerated wheel arches, seven-slot grille, open top and astonishing off-road abilities - while adding more.
Like a 2.8-litre common rail diesel with a particulate filter. There's 130kW on tap at 3800rpm but more vital off road, 400Nm of torque from 2000-2600rpm in auto form, or 410 in manual. Better yet, that variable geometry turbo offers broad power spread, while a diesel doesn't have spark plugs to get wet, and positively thrives on slow going.
However only the 3.8-litre V6 petrol powerplant was available at launch, its 146kW at 5000rpm and 315Nm of torque at 4000 proving more than capable of hauling this thing around.
The interior's still rough, tough and individual. A soft top has been joined by an optional three-part hard lid. And given its 520mm additional length, there's lots of luggage space and better road manners in the five-door.
But it's the Rubicon that really raises eyebrows.
Its Rock-Trac tech gives it an ultra-low 4.0:1 ratio and the ability to head into extreme off-road situations. You can separately lock the front axle, lock the rear - in theory with only one wheel rolling, you will go forward - and there's an electronic disconnect for the front sway bar, which allows extreme wheel articulation at speeds of under 16kph.
We took this thing up banks that towered over the windscreen, and straddled truly capacious chasms in steep gullies that had our buttocks clenching in sympathy with the Jeep's scrabbling wheels. Yet the only time it got stuck was when I entered a soft bog much too slowly. Moral: this Wrangler doesn't need mollycoddling - it needs action.
For: Even the standard Wrangler will go almost anywhere. The Rubicon's apparently unstoppable. And all variants look the part - rough, tough, and full of action whether you access that action or not. Better yet, there's a five-door so the kids can come too.
Against: Still thirsty, still very much an off-roader with all the on-road compromises that implies. Seat-to-pedals-to-wheel arrangement not great - especially for shorties or larger folk. And the extreme off-roading Rubicon not available in diesel, yet.