Every Jeep Wrangler is a descendant of the Willys military rigs used in World War II, but some of them make that connection clearer than others. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler Freedom Edition, which Stellantis called “a tribute to U.S. military members with military-themed exterior and interior design cues,” such as “Oscar Mike” (translation: “On the move”) fender badges and decals, is a great example. So is the eighth release in Jeep’s Twelve 4 Twelve series of models commemorating the brand’s 85th anniversary: the 2027 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Sarge models.
For the Sarge’s visual inspiration, Jeep’s designers went all the way back to the Willys MB, a model produced from 1941-1945 which General George C. Marshall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff during World War II, deemed “America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.” Available on two-door and four-door Wrangler and Gladiator models with the Rubicon or Willys trim, the Sarge treatment adds a variety of heritage-inspired touches as well as useful features. Exterior elements include:
- ’41 Green or white grille surround
- Vintage-style ’41 Green or Bright White 1941 hood decal and military-inspired door star graphics
- Body-color fender flares
- ’41 Green or white Freedom Top three-piece hardtop
- Bronze tow hooks
- 17-inch wheels in ’41 Green equipped with 33-inch BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires
- Steel Rubicon rock rails
The cabin is outfitted with a new color combination, Cattle Tan Nappa and Drab Green, which extends to the instrument cluster surround, door armrests, and center console. The seats and dashboard fascia are covered in durable Soul Cloth and highlighted with Mayan Gold accent stitching.
Of course, there are plenty of nostalgic additions, such as the “1941” plaque behind the cup holders, star medallion on the shift knob, seven-slot grille logo that’s visible when the HVAC vents are closed, and graphics on the inner panel of the Wrangler’s rear swing gate.
If you want to honor Jeep’s history and military roots by buying a 2027 Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator Sarge, you can order one from your local dealer starting later this summer. The exclusive styling and special hardware only adds $100 to the MSRP of a comparably equipped four-door Wrangler Willys or Rubicon model and $500 to the price of a similarly configured Gladiator Willys or Rubicon.
