Chrysler has released details of the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler. It will get the new Pentastar V6 engine, offering more power and torque and improved fuel economy, as well as the option of a new five-speed automatic transmission.

Visually, the Jeep Wrangler received a facelift last year, so the biggest change for the 2012 model is the introduction of the Pentastar 3.6-litre V6 engine. It produces 209kW of power and 353Nm of torque, bringing an increase of 63kW and 38Nm compared with the existing 3.8-litre V6 Wrangler lineup.

Another change for the new model is the addition of a five-speed automatic transmission for the V6 engine. This gives off-road enthusiasts a bit more of a range to select from and is said to improve off-road ability, compared with the existing four-speed auto option.

Fuel consumption for the automatic has been rated at 11.2L/100km, an improvement on the current auto Wrangler rating of 11.6L/100km. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can also be achieved in around 8.4 seconds in automatic transmission form.

Other features announced include electronic stability control standard across the range, Trailer-sway Control, Hill-start Assist, electronic roll mitigation, and traction control. The Rubicon models will also come with a body-coloured hardtop.

Official Australian specifications are yet to be announced, as well as an official launch date. We’ll keep you updated with the full details as soon as possible.

UPDATE: Jeep Australia has confirmed that the new 2012 Jeep Wrangler will be heading to Australian showrooms this summer. Jeep says that the Pentastar engine has received plenty of great reviews recently, and says the unit will be incorporated into other models in the future.

Pricing and official specifications on Australia-spec models are yet to be finalised. More information will be released closer to its launch.