By Paul Rachwal
Tuesday, Sep 4th, 2012 @ 12:16 pm
 
Chrysler's Jeep brand this week unveiled two new special-edition models aimed at off-road enthusiasts. There is the Wrangler Moab edition and the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, the latter of which is available as a trim on both V6 and V8-powered models. The Trailhawk was shown off as a concept at the Easter Safari in Moab, Utah, last spring and has now reached production readiness.

From the ground up, unique equipment includes 18-inch Goodyear Silent Armor tires that get Kevlar reinforcement to resist punctures. There is also body protection in the form of solid steel rock rails, and an appearance package that includes a Trailhawk badge on the tailgate, a hood decal with red accent stripes, black headlight housing, a rear light bar, gray grille insert, and other detail differences.

All Trailhawks get Jeep's Quadra-Lift air suspension, with V8 models sporting an electronic limited slip differential in the back. The Quadra-Lift air suspension provides nearly 11 inches of ground clearance, while the company's Quadra-Track II four-wheel drive system is in the V6 model while the V8 gets the Quadra-Drive II system.

There is also a leather and suede interior with Trailhawk badges, red accent stitching, and Mopar slush mats all around. Available body colors include white, black, gray, steel, and cherry red.

The Wrangler Moab builds atop the flagship Sahara trim in either two- or four-door body styles. It otherwise gets unique trim and hardware, which includes the same Goodyears as the Trailhawk, though in a smaller 17-inch size and mounted on unique black rims. There is also a Trac-Lok rear diff, though an electronically-locking one is available as an upgrade. The steel bumpers can accommodate a winch, and rock rails are fitted. Jeep is quick to point out a number sure to excite hard-core desert dwellers: a 45:1 crawl ratio when equipped with the manual transmission and a 3.73 rear axle.

It can be identified thanks to the Moab sticker on the unique Mopar domed hood, black accents, a premium soft top and the badges. The body-color hard top is an option.

Inside, the 2013-spec seats get premium black leather, Moab badges on the instrument panel handle, Mopar slush mats, and Iron Gray trim on various trim pieces. Available colors include Gecko, Crush, Dozer, Rock Lobster, Black, and Bright White.

While Jeep didn't reveal prices for the limited-edition models, it promised they are coming to dealerships in October.

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk