Jeep launching limited edition Wrangler for 2014

AUBURN HILLS, Mich.—Anyone who has ever owned a Jeep Wrangler will tell you the trail riding icon isn’t without its deficiencies.

As popular as the consummate cult classic has been over the past several decades, it always leaves something to be desired.

And perhaps that’s the allure of the brand for many folks—the idea of the raw roots of the modern day sport utility vehicle shining through as it rumbles down the road.

So it’s no surprise the folks over at Chrysler are constantly refining the Wrangler in a bid to satisfy an ever-growing customer base.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, they may have found the perfect solution: a little more mythology.

Hitting North American showrooms this fall, the 2014 Wrangler will be available with a Dragon Edition trim line, which the brand anticipates will be popular “across the globe, and particularly throughout the Jeep enthusiast community.”

Available only in black and as a four-door Unlimited model, the Dragon Edition features a—you guessed it—dark charcoal coloured dragon decal that starts on the hood and runs along the driver’s side of the vehicle.

The exterior of the trim line also includes bronze inside the front grille slats, headlamp surrounds and Jeep badging, and gloss-black front and rear bumpers and three-piece piece top.

It also features matte black and bronze 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, and a spare tire cover with a matching dragon decal.

The theme continues on the interior with dragon images embossed on the leather seats. PHOTO Chrysler

The black and bronze theme continues on the inside, with heated black Nappa leather seats that include bronze dragon designs on the seat backs and scales on the outer bolster surfaces, as well as on the centre console and steering wheel.

Other interior touches include high-gloss black instrument panel bezels and door handles and bronze accent trim on the steering wheel spokes and passenger-side dashboard grab handle.

Finishing the interior modifications are matching bronze bound floor mats and a dragon graphic overlay in the gauge cluster.

Jeep said the special edition of the Wrangler was inspired by the dragon’s symbolism of strength and power and association with royalty and good fortune in Chinese culture.

“When we introduced the Jeep Wrangler Dragon Design concept last year, we received tremendously positive feedback,” Jeep Brand president and CEO Mike Manley said in a statement.

“Our loyal Jeep enthusiasts asked us to build this unique Wrangler, and we are delivering exactly what they’ve asked for.”

Set to go on sale this fall, expect a Canadian sticker price upwards of $36,000 for the Wrangler Sahara-based Dragon Edition.