The day I took the 2012 JKUR for a test drive, all I did was ease off the clutch and I chirped the tires. Told my sales guy to get the papers to sign...
Yep, that 2.0T is getting some props.
@MADDOG might have an opinion being a few miles into one now.
I took the opportunity to test 3 drivetrains during my Jeep search, a 3.6L V6/8-spd auto, a 3.6L V6/6-spd manual & a 2.0L I4/8-spd auto. They were all Wrangler JL units.
The V6 gas engine with either transmission felt sluggish off the line even though it has slightly higher torque and HP ratings. Of course, those ratings increase as RPMs increase. This trait seems odd as I believe both units come with the same differential gearing. It may be the difference in transmission gearing at play here.
The 6-spd manual has nice close ratios and shifts well. However, two features of the manual transmission put me off. First the shift knob, with the reverse release ring, is very uncomfortable in the hand and being a manual your hand will be on that knob constantly. You can pinch a finger when selecting reverse. Ask me how I know!
Secondly, the light duty hydraulic clutch system tends to buck, disengaging and re-engaging, during low speed driving such as when you are commuting in slow moving traffic. I felt like a bobble head doll when driving slowly on surface streets. The manual transmission Jeep does cruise on the freeway just fine and being able to select gears manually when trail riding is a definite plus.
For either on or off road driving the 8-spd automatic transmission might be a better choice. It is well suited to effortless driving and under increased throttle pressure it shifts firmly. Downshifts are almost imperceptible. The 8-spd features a manual mode function so it will hold the preferred gear while crawling up and over the face of boulder or down a steep trail.
The V6/8-spd combination felt better off the line. My butt dynamometer said it was still underperforming in a fairly sluggish manner. A purely subjective measurement, I know, but you still feel it.
The 2.0L I4 turbo engine is only available with the 8-spd automatic transmission. I found that's not a bad thing given my experience with the 6-spd manual. As I mentioned the V6 engine has marginally higher torque and HP ratings. When Car and Driver tested comparably equipped Sahara JL Jeeps the I4 was 0.3 seconds quicker to 60 than the V6 equipped JL. So maybe the butt dyno ain't as subjective after all.
The I4 starts out modestly enough, with no drama or sluggishness, as it calmly moves through the gears.
Give that pedal a push, though, and this thing scoots! With the slightest bit of lag, and the faint sound of a turbo spooling, the rear hunkers down and the JL jets down the road. Curious about real world speed I did some informal acceleration testing on a freeway ramp near my humble abode. I didn't measure 0 - 60 or rolling start speed. I simply turned on to the ramp and floored it. At the top of the ramp near the merge I was at 94 - 96 MPH and still accelerating. Top speed is limited to 112 MPH but there are ways to remove that limit.
The Jeep JL offers some nice features and it is a capable vehicle but it is a bit noisy, rough riding and has a tight passenger compartment. Jeep obviously prioritizes off-road performance over conquering the luxury SUV market given it's minimalist approach to creature comforts. It won't be heating and massaging your dynamometer nor will it dazzle you with every doodad and gadget available.
But it suits me to a "T". It should be obvious to you all reading this that I picked the turbo I4/8-spd auto powertrain and I did so because it is just more fun to drive.
Oh, by the way.... it will do a burnout (even with the knobby Firestone Destination MT/2 tires) with traction control off when power braking. And... with T/C off it will chirp the tires at the 2nd gear shift at WOT. Who knew?
