Does the Jeep Wrangler look a bit like a 1955 Willys Jeep?

Oh wow. Does that thing have doors?

It looked good. When Willys was built, doors were a luxury trinket. The car you see here is a Willys M38A1, not quite an original Willys, but not too different. The M38A1 was built by Willys between 1952 and 1971, and saw significant action in Korea and Vietnam. It was also sold to friendly nations, and that is the version you see here. This version of Nekaf was created under license in the Netherlands and was so successful that we continued to use it here for over 40 years. Now it’s reliable.

Then he must be good at what he does?

Yes. With a wide base – they have been converted into everything from ambulances to mobile platforms for 106 mm guns – and the ability to go anywhere, the Jeep is an incredibly capable machine even by today’s standards. It has a 2.2-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (nicknamed Hurricane) with 73 hp and a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.

There is also a box with a lower row and thanks to the thin tires and the light body (it weighs 1,225 kg) it can go anywhere. The engine is surprisingly powerful and on the asphalt it reaches about 80 km / h. The engine itself may be faster, but anything above that will tear the roof to shreds. It also has leaf springs all around. They are almost indestructible, but anything but comfortable. Jeep makes the Land Rover Defender feel like a Rolls-Royce.

Are there comfort items on board?

Well, the glove compartment! And, sit down, even the windshield wipers.

That Wrangler must feel more luxurious in comparison…

Say that. To begin with: there is heating. With leather on the seats, Alpine sound with subwoofer, DAB, navi – you get the picture. But despite the age differences and the military/consumer target group, you can still detect a streak of blood here and there. And not only in the shape of the grille.

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the few modern cruisers that can do just that: go off-road. It has a lower range and a 272bhp 2.0 liter petrol engine, both built on a ladder chassis with live axles. And just like the old ones, you can remove the roof panels – all corona-free.

Is it as good as the old one in the mud?

Without doubt. Where Jeep has taken a smart approach: it has offered a new sophistication, but has also remained largely honest roots. There are details that remind you of that legacy, like the opening screen with Willys turning into the current Fighter, but it never feels like a parody.

Leaving the rigid axles as they are would provide better behavior on pavement, but at the expense of off-road qualities, which would mean trading Jeep’s clean philosophy for comfort. Bravo to Jeep for staying true to itself.