SHAH ALAM: The iconic Jeep brand has once again landed in Malaysia with two models to offer.
The very same American brand that brought about the Willys “Quad” during World War 2 is operated by TAHB Automotive – an established recon car dealer that started operations in Kedah Darul Aman in 1982.
The company (TAHB Automotive) has made available for viewing the JL Wrangler Rubicon and Compass Longitude Limited AWD sport utility vehicles at their newly launched 13,000 square-feet 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centre in Glenmarie.
The facility is equipped with nine service bays with the ability to service up to 10 vehicles per day and operates from Monday to Friday (9.00am to 6.00pm) as well as Saturday and Sunday (10.00am to 5.00pm)
The company now looks to sell Jeep vehicles together with a five-year warranty and a free service package – starting with the Wrangler and the Compass sport utility vehicle.
Pricing for the two models is intended to be announced by the end of January with an expected price of under RM200,000 for the Compass and RM300,000 for the Wrangler.
The Compass will be made available in two variants starting with the standard front-wheel driven Limited and the range-topping Longitude with all-wheel drive (AWD) capability.
Furthermore, the Compass will be offered in six colour options of Grigio Chiario (Graphite Metallic), Bronze Metallic, Mocca Latte, Atlantic Blue Pearl Coat, Colorado Red and Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat.
Wheel choices include polished 18-inch wheels with Tech Gray pockets as well as two 17-inch wheel designs in Gloss Black (optional) or Tech Silver.
Both model variants are powered by a 1.4-litre (1,368cc) turbocharged engine that drinks from a 60-litre fuel tank.
However, the Longitude’s power output is rated at 162hp at 5,500rpm and 250Nm of torque from 2,500rpm to 4,000rpm. Power is managed by a seven-speed dry dual-clutch transmission for the front wheels.
The Limited’s output is rated slightly higher at 168hp at 5,500rpm and 250Nm of torque from 2,500 to 4,000rpm and gets a nine-speed automatic instead to send power to all four wheels.
While the Longitude has a top speed of 195kph, the higher-specification Limited is 9kph faster at 204kph.
The Longitude lights the way forward with its automatic headlights and has also been equipped with fog lamps and cornering lamps that activate when turning.
In terms of convenience, the Longitude receives automatic wipers, a powered tailgate, reverse camera and keyless entry.
Inside, the leather upholstery comes in a combination of Black with Cattle Tan as standard and uses Light Diesel stitches to hold it all together while optional extras include Black with White Ski coloured leather that bound together by Gray (Longitude) or Ruby Red (Limited) stitches.
Entertainment comes from a 7.0-inch touchscreen with integrated voice command, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As standard, safety comes in the form of two airbags, anti-lock braking system, traction control, electronic stability control, electronic roll mitigation, brake assist, rain brake support, adaptive rear brake lights and ISOFIX mounting points.
The Limited with AWD adds on body-coloured door handles and exterior mirrors, daytime running lights, dual-zone climate controls, Beats sound system, an 8.4-inch touchscreen with navigation, tyre pressure monitoring system, advanced brake assist and six airbags.
The Wrangler will also be offered in two variants starting with the standard Sport S and is followed by the range-topping Rubicon.
Both variants are powered by a 2.0-litre (1,998cc) turbocharged engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that manages an output of 270hp and 400Nm before sending it to the four-wheel-drive system with a 2.72:1 low-range Command Trac two-speed transfer case.
As standard, the Sport S variant comes equipped with Dana solid front and rear axles, reverse camera, 7.0-inch touchscreen display with voice activation, push-start button, supplemental front-seat slide, two airbags and a Wash-out interior package that includes removable carpets and drain plugs, tow hooks and skid plates.
As an added option, an Alpine premium audio system, Smoker’s Group package, three-piece black hardtop, alarm system and 17×7.5-inch wheels can be had for the Sport S variant.
The range-topping Rubicon, on the other hand, comes with a more capable locking front and rear Dana 44 heavy-duty axles as well as an electronic sway bar disconnect, steel off-road rails and skid plates, a power dome hood, exclusive high-clearance fender flares, 7.0-inch reconfigurable driver information display and a Jeep modular seatback utility grid system.
The added options for the Rubicon include the 7.0-inch Uconnect display, Alpine premium audio system, security alarm, matching coloured fenders, LED headlights, leather-upholstered bucket seats, three-piece hard-top in matching body colour, spare tyre cover and a smokers Group package.
Colour options for the Sport S include Black Clear-coat and Firecracker Red Clear-coat while the Rubicon is available three colour choices of Black Black Clear-coat, Ocean Blue Metallic Clear-Coat and Hellayella Clear-coat.
Three 17-inch wheel designs are available for the Wrangler with the Sport S getting Tech Silver wheels while the Rubicon gets polished wheels with black pockets. Gloss black wheels are also available as an optional extra.
Following the unveiling of these two models, the company intends to expand its lineup of vehicles from the second quarter onwards by introducing the Renegade, Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Grand Cherokee SRT.
“Everyone has wanted to own a Jeep at one point in their lives and the people who own Jeeps, are fiercely loyal to the brand – there is a fan base here in Malaysia and that’s why we decided to bring back Jeep’s to Malaysia and built a home for them,” said Jeep by TAHB Automotive general manager Devan Vidondaraja.
Jeep JL Wrangler Rubicon
Jeep Compass Limited AWD
Keyword: Jeep is back in Malaysia