Jeep hardens up

There was a time (back in the late 1990s) when a vehicle would not be allowed to carry the Jeep badge unless it could cross the legendary Rubicon Trail; a four-wheel-drive trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains near the Nevada-California border.

Rated ten out of ten on the difficulty scale, the Rubicon Trail was where Jeep tested its prototypes to ensure that they had what it took to be a Jeep.

And clearing the Rubicon Trail was a pass-mark; failing to cover the 19km of rocks and cliff faces meant a trip back to the drawing board.

Things have obviously changed. With front-wheel-drive people-movers joining the Jeep ranks since those days, clearly the Jeep badge no longer confers such off-road tenacity (or, indeed, inclination).

So to protect its image and give customers the chance to choose the Jeep model that will take them to hell and back, the brand has now instituted what it calls a Trail Rated system and badge.

Launched into the North American market in 2003, the Trail Rated system has now been applied to Australian-delivered Jeeps.

Essentially, to be classified as a Trail Rated Jeep, the model in question has to have passed five checks and measures, aimed at ensuring it has the off-roads smarts to uphold the Jeep tradition.

The five key performance indicators for Trail Rated are traction, ground clearance, manoeuvrability, articulation and water fording.

Some of the tests are mathematically and computer-decided, others are conducted in the real world (including the Rubicon Trail) and some are tested in real-life at test facilities in the US where parts of the Rubicon Trail have been recreated.

Trail Rated Jeeps typically have improved approach and departure angles for greater ability as well as extra bodywork and electrical sealing and high-mounted engine-air intakes to deal with river crossings.

Only the most off-road capable versions of each Jeep model will be badged with the Trail Rated symbol and, for now, the Australia Trail Rated line-up includes all Wrangler models as well as the Grand Cherokee Trailhawk.

Interestingly – and in line with North American tastes – none of the Trail Rated models feature diesel engines.