A military version of the Jeep Wrangler has had its UK debut at the Defence Vehicle Dynamic show, together with a hybrid-powered version of the Dodge Ram.
The military version of the Wrangler – the Jeep Wrangler TJL – continues the Jeep legend that began in 1941 when the American Army needed a tough and versatile cross-country vehicle. The result was the world’s first purpose built four-wheel drive vehicle – the Willys MB, nicknamed the ‘Jeep’ (and arguements still rage to this day about the origin of that name!).
For the modern military, the Jeep Wrangler TJL has been modified to handle additional payloads with a heavy-duty axle, cargo bay and upgraded suspension. It features seating for eight people and a wheelbase 22 inches longer than the standard civilian vehicle. Power comes from a 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission, or, for the first time in a Wrangler, the TJL will be available, from 2005, with a four-cylinder 2.8-litre diesel engine.
The Dodge Ram COMBATT 2 Hybrid demonstrator vehicle is a military version of a Dodge Ram 2500 (¾-Ton) full-sized pickup truck. The prototype is powered by a 5.9-litre Cummins TurboDiesel engine together with a PowerGen hybrid system, capable of providing up to 10 kW of exportable 120/240-volt AC 60 Hz power.
Up to 10 kW of 60 Hz AC power is available to power equipment when mains power is unavailable due to site location, natural or man-made disasters, or in combat conditions. The AC power is grid quality and will power industrial equipment, sensitive electronic equipment including computers and TVs, or recreational equipment.
The prototype is also equipped with a purpose-built state-of-the-art hydro-pneumatic suspension system that provides a unique combination of on-road ride and handling comfort with extreme off-road mobility. The suspension enables any single wheel to scale an obstacle up to three feet in height and means that the Dodge Ram COMBATT is capable of negotiating the severest off-road terrain.
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