Jeep Australia and motoring.com.au have paired up for the very last Australasian Safari later this week in a vehicle Jeep says is its most capable off-road car ever. Dubbed 'Rubicon X', the Wrangler Unlimited-based variant arrives with a host of aesthetic add-ons, wider rock rails and higher equipment levels. Priced from $52,000 (plus on-road costs), the four-door-only special edition model is available now, and is powered by Chrysler's 209kW/353Nm 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 mated as standard to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The Rubicon X is fitted with Jeep's part-time four-wheel drive system with electronic-locking front and rear Dana 44 axles. These receive power via a Rock-Trac low-range transfer case and are equipped with Tru-Lok locking differentials, and electronic sway bar-disconnect system. It rides on 17-inch Rubicon aluminium wheels finished in satin black with polished faces and red Jeep Wrangler icon on the inside pocket, and shod with Goodyear rubber.
Identifying the Rubicon X is a winch-ready black front off-road bumper, dual-intake Power Dome bonnet with a red-silhouette 'Rubicon' decal on each side, red tow hooks front and rear, Mopar rock rails, and a black fuel filler door.
Inside the model is equipped with heated black leather seats, a 6.5-inch touchscreen UConnect multimedia system with sat-nav, a model-specific instrument cluster set and premium Electronic Vehicle Information Centre with added read-outs for oil pressure, transmission temperature, digital speedo repeater and tyre pressure. The Rubicon X also receives Quick Silver accents on the grab handles, vent rings, steering wheel spokes and door pulls.
motoring.com.au will bring you all the action from the 3500km-long Australasian Safari from September 19.