Jeep's Moparized Wrangler Sahara is not for the shy or faint-hearted. It is big, bold and bright-metallic red, standing proud on aggressive Cooper Discoverer STTs, pumped and lifted and ready to take on the roughest terrain.
But what if that terrain doesn't get any rougher than the car park at Spinney's? What's it like living with such an extreme Wrangler on a day-to-day basis? Can such a free spirit cut it in the nip and tuck of city traffic or will it wilt in the heat? Only one way to find out.
This particular Wrangler is a showcase for all that Chrysler's Mopar Division can achieve. Mopar actually goes back to the 1920s when the then-Motor Parts company began manufacturing parts and service components for Chrysler. In the years since, the name has become synonymous with tuning and performance parts and Mopar now supplies accessories and components across the full range of Chrysler vehicles including Dodge, Jeep Ram and more recently, Fiat cars.
The car we tested is a rolling showcase of what Mopar can do with a standard Jeep Wrangler Sahara with all manufacturer-approved original parts fitted and still comply with RTA registration and approval procedures. You even get to keep the warranty.
Raising the game
So what exactly has been done with this Jeep? First and most obvious is the lift.
This Jeep's suspension has been raised and the wheelbase widened for better off-road handling and performance. The lift kit comprises longer springs and shock absorbers, new drop arms and links. The result is that the whole car sits nearly 15cm further off the ground than a standard Wrangler. Axle articulation is important for extreme off-roading and in particular, rock-climbing. Our Jeep is very well equipped to tackle the most extreme sections.
The wheels are new too - 17" rims powder-coated in dark grey and fitted with an ultra-aggressive set of Cooper Discoverer STT LT 295/70 R17s. These have an extremely chunky tread block designed to work best in soft sand and rocky gravel but such substantial construction makes them noisy on the road. You'll often notice that you can hear lifted Jeeps running such extreme tyres before you can see them. But the Coopers performed surprisingly well. Sure, they're noisy but they also track straight and true and there's good traction under braking too.
For such an aggressive tread pattern to perform so well on road conditions is quite an achievement and makes the Moparized Wrangler a much more useable vehicle than its appearance might suggest.
Giving a helping hand
With huge tyres and a big lift, even the simple act of getting into it becomes a challenge. Fortunately, Mopar understands its business well and the interior is fitted with a range of additional grab-handles and cushion padding to help you get in and out and hold on through the rough stuff. The seats grip you well and as you would expect, the elevated driving position provides a commanding view of the road. Up here you feel very tall, indeed.
The standard 3.8-litre V6 engine is stock and it drives through a 5-speed auto box to all four wheels. There is a low-range selector for when you're off the road as well, though we didn't use that during our drive - the big tyres have the effect of increasing the overall gearing but there was ample power and drive for getting into and out of the city's sand lots.
The overall impression from behind the wheel is that the Mopar is most like a Labrador puppy, full of boundless enthusiasm and energy but its feet are too big. The Wrangler was bouncing around all over the place and was just itching to go out and frolic in the sand.
And like a puppy, while it would do what you told it and go fetch the shopping, you're always aware of it straining to be let off the leash and go running up the nearest dune. While it's less of a handful on city streets than you might expect, there is no doubt that the Wrangler would be much more at home away from the road, revelling in the sand and enjoying unparalleled traction and drive only big tyres and a lift can provide. As the weather slowly improves, we'll drive the Mopar in the conditions for which is was created.
In fairness, this is not the kind of car that you buy to get the groceries in anyway. There are plenty of much more appropriate city boxes, small and efficient hatchbacks with plenty of room in the back. Instead, our Wrangler was the kind of car that can only make sense in a place like this - it's as much a fashion statement as a mode of transportation. It's a conscious choice that reflects a particular lifestyle and form of entertainment.
The verdict:
It is the kind of car you would buy or build simply because you can, because this is one of the few remaining parts of the world where people look up, rather than down, on you in a 4x4.
The Moparized version of the Wrangler may not have been the most comfortable or practical car in the world but it makes a very fine Jeep indeed.
