AUBURN
HILLS, Mich., Nov. 19,
2024 /PRNewswire/ --
- New 2025 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 celebrates the original,
combat-born-and-bred Jeep – the legendary 1941 Willys MB
- Limited-edition model is powered by 4xe capability and features
new military olive drab-inspired '41 exterior paint, period-correct
Drab Blue hood-side decals and a coming, optional tan soft-top
- Further highlights include exclusive '41-painted 17-inch
aluminum wheels wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain tires, Army-inspired
exterior decals, a unique tan interior, standard rear locker, and
front and rear steel bumpers
- Orders are now open with a U.S. MSRP of $59,930
In a salute to the original, battle-tested Jeep® SUV – the
legendary 1941 Willys MB – the Jeep brand proudly introduces
the 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition.
"Eight decades after cementing a reputation for all-terrain
capability, straightforward design and tough versatility, the
spirit of the original Willys MB lives on in everything we do at
Jeep brand," said Bob Broderdorf,
senior vice president and head of Jeep brand North America. "The new 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Willys '41 is a testament to that heritage. It's a celebration of
our past that inspires us, while we keep pushing the boundaries of
capability and innovation."
The 2025 Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 also takes cues from the
beloved Jeep '41 concept, which made headlines at the 2022 Easter
Jeep Safari. The annual off-road event in Moab, Utah, is a mecca for Jeep enthusiasts
and where the brand showcases concept vehicles that push the
boundaries of design and capability and inspire future production
models.
A Salute to the Past, Built for the Future
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 features a new, military
olive drab-inspired '41 exterior paint color, instantly evoking the
spirit of the original Willys MB. Exclusive 17-inch aluminum wheels
painted in the same hue are wrapped in aggressive 33-inch
all-terrain tires.
The Jeep design team crafted the hood-side WILLYS / 4XE decals
to honor the brand's storied military heritage. Finished in a
period-correct Drab Blue, these decals nod to the original factory
stenciling mandated by the U.S. Army on Willys MBs during World War
II. Jeep designers ensured that the color and style authentically
replicate the utilitarian aesthetic of the era, capturing the
rugged and functional spirit that defined the original Jeep
vehicles and continues to be a hallmark today. Other unique,
Army-inspired decals adorn the exterior, further amplifying this
special model's heritage homage.
Inside, Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 is fitted with a unique interior
with tan Heritage cloth seats, an olive drab fabric dashboard
insert and a '41 shifter medallion. Maximizing open-air freedom of
choice, available roofs include a body-color hardtop, Sky One-touch
powertop roof and a coming, exclusive tan soft-top. Standard
features include a rear locker for enhanced traction and front and
rear steel bumpers for added off-road protection.
From Go Devil to Green
Machine
The class-exclusive, plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe is the
best-selling PHEV in America three years in a row. Its advanced
powertrain perfectly showcases 80-plus years of technical evolution
since those original "Go Devil" engines powered the Willys MB.
The class-exclusive 4xe system combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged
gas engine, two electric motors and a high-voltage battery pack to
deliver 49 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), 21 miles of
all-electric range and zero range anxiety. The powertrain is part
of a global electrification initiative that is transforming 4xe
into the new 4x4.
The 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Willys '41 special edition has a U.S.
manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $59,930 (excluding $1,895 destination charge). Orders are now open
alongside the rest of the 2025 Jeep Wrangler lineup and will be in
Jeep dealer showrooms before the end of the calendar year.
The Genesis of an American Icon
In July 1940, the U.S. military
informed automakers that it was looking for a "light reconnaissance
vehicle." It invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production and
developed a lengthy specification list for the vehicle, including a
600-lb. load capacity, wheelbase less than 75 inches, height less
than 36 inches, a smooth-running engine from 3 to 50 mph, a
rectangular-shaped body, four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer
case, fold-down windshield, three bucket seats, blackout and
driving lights and a gross vehicle weight below 1,300 lbs.
Three companies, including Jeep's predecessor, Willys-Overland,
answered the call. Each produced prototypes for testing in record
time. The Army took possession of these vehicles in November 1940 at Camp Holabird, Maryland. Each of the three designs exceeded
the Army's specification of 1,300 lbs., but the Army soon realized
that limit was far too low and raised it for the next round of
vehicles.
The Army issued the next round of contracts in March 1941, including an ask for Willys-Overland
to build 1,500 examples of its Quad. Further testing and evaluation
led to the Army's selection of the Willys vehicle as the standard.
A contract was signed on July 15,
1941, to begin production.
With modifications and improvements, the Willys Quad became the
MA and later the MB. But the Army, and the world, came to know it
as the Jeep. Some claimed that the name came from the slurring of
the letters "GP," the military abbreviation for "general purpose."
Others say the vehicle was named for a popular character named
Eugene the Jeep in the Popeye cartoon strip. Whatever its origin,
the name entered into the American lexicon.
Willys-Overland produced almost 360,000 Jeep vehicles at the
Toledo, Ohio, plant between
October of 1941 and August 1945. WWII
reporter Ernie Pyle once said, "It
did everything. It went everywhere. Was as faithful as a dog, as
strong as a mule, and as agile as a goat. It constantly carried
twice what it was designed for and still kept going."
Willys trademarked the Jeep name and, even before WWII was over,
began building the brand's first civilian model, the CJ-2A.
Jeep Brand
Built on more than 80 years of legendary heritage, Jeep® is the
authentic SUV brand that delivers legendary off-road capability,
interior refinement, high-tech features and versatility to people
who seek extraordinary journeys. The Jeep brand delivers an open
invitation to live life to the fullest by offering a broad
portfolio of vehicles that continues to provide owners with a sense
of safety and security to handle any journey with confidence. Jeep
Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is
available to the entire Jeep 4x4 lineup, is filled with benefits
and exclusive perks to deliver Jeep brand owners the utmost care
and dedicated 24/7 support. The legendary Jeep brand's off-road
capability is enhanced by a global electrification initiative that
is transforming 4xe into the new 4x4. All Jeep brand vehicles in
North America will offer an
electrified variant by 2025.
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SOURCE Stellantis